Workforce Development
ACEC Tennessee is committed to helping grow and retain a diverse and sustainable workforce for the consulting engineering industry. The resources below include excerpts from the ACEC National Workforce Development Playbook as well as local information, events, and volunteer opportunities.
One of the biggest challenges in engineering recruitment is the lack of early STEM exposure in schools, which is crucial for inspiring future engineers. Without a strong foundation in STEM education, many students miss the opportunity to develop an interest in engineering careers, contributing to a shortage of qualified talent. The following section provides recommendations for industry awareness and identifying national early-STEM organizations.
Early STEM Exposure
Discover Engineering is a national initiative dedicated to inspiring the next generation of engineers by providing engaging resources that promote STEM education. It offers hands-on activities, interactive games, career exploration tools, and educational videos designed to spark curiosity in engineering among students of all ages.
Student Mentoring
Student mentoring strengthens the engineering industry by inspiring and preparing the next generation of professionals. ACE Mentor Program provides students with hands-on exposure to real-world engineering challenges, connecting them with industry experts who offer guidance, career insights, and practical experience.
Internships
Internships help keep your talent pool full of eager graduates and entry-level professionals – who not only understand instructions but also get your brand – to fill roles and succeed staff across your talent map.
Resources such as structured onboarding programs, career mentoring, and employee experience initiatives provide engineering firms with essential tools to retain interns and recent graduates by fostering engagement, professional growth, and long-term commitment. The following sections provide guides and best practices addressing each.
Onboarding
Strong onboarding programs lead to higher retention rates, as employees who feel welcomed, supported, and valued are more likely to commit to their career growth with your company.
Employee Experience
Through extensive and thorough meta-analysis of the latest existing data and studies, RetainHER is a comprehensive framework designed to address the critical workforce challenges facing the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry. With a focus on supporting employees throughout their career and life stages, this framework empowers firms to reduce turnover, enhance employee satisfaction, and secure a competitive edge in talent retention.
Mentoring
Many successful individuals credit mentors for playing a key role in their personal and professional growth. Mentors offer both short-term support—such as solving problems or learning new skills—and long-term guidance. At its core, mentoring is a mutual relationship built on growth, learning, and shared success.
East Tennessee:
- Ongoing: Wesley House Community Center STEM volunteers
Opportunity for those able to lead a STEM-based learning experience at the Wesley House. Opportunities are available monthly, either after school (4:15-5:30p) or on school holidays. The volunteer will share a STEM topic of their choice and facilitate a related activity.
Contact Patrick Fiveash at patrick.fiveash@greshamsmith.com for details.
Wesley House Community Center was established in 1907 to provide childcare for the children of the women of Brookside Mills. Today, Wesley House focuses on three main areas of service: providing high-quality, affordable, and accessible childcare, fostering social connections among senior citizens, and responding to emerging community needs. Wesley House provides afterschool care and care on school holidays, continually exploring ways to show children new opportunities for growth. They are also looking to incorporate more STEM programs, and this is where we can come in and help.
For more information about the organization and their efforts, visit Wesley House Community Center at wesleyhouseknox.org.
Recording | Firm of the Future: The Workforce of the Future
Scholarships
ACEC Tennessee and the Tennessee Engineering Foundation award multiple scholarships annually to students studying engineering at Universities across the state. Additionally, the ACEC Research Institute offers a variety of scholarships to engineering students.
View Current Scholarship Opportunities
For Prospective Students
Career Options for Students Interested in Engineering: