University of Tennessee plays critical role in developing the state's workforce
Tennessee is growing, and with that growth come opportunities − and challenges.
The University of Tennessee exists to serve the people of this great state, and today our role has never been more vital. From addressing workforce shortages to advancing cutting-edge innovation, UT is at the forefront of ensuring Tennessee thrives.
More than 60% of UT's 450,000 alumni live and work in Tennessee, contributing to every corner of our state.
As the largest producer of the state's workforce, we're training the next generation of health care professionals, educators, engineers and more. This is why we've set an ambitious goal of enrolling 71,000 students across our campuses by 2030 −because, for Tennessee to grow, UT must grow too.
Tennessee's economy has made a remarkable recovery in the wake of the pandemic, but we are still facing labor gaps because we don't have enough workers with the right skills and education for those jobs.
According to an annual economic report from the University of Tennessee's Boyd Center for Business and Economic Research, Tennessee has roughly 165,000 job openings across the state in key industries such as teaching, nursing and manufacturing.
Together these industries make up about 25% of our state's economy, and each is expected to see employment growth this year. That's why it's crucial that Tennessee continues to invest in building a workforce that can meet the needs of today and the future.
Opinion: University of Tennessee offers right fit for students from Knoxville to Memphis
Rooted in the legacy of the Morrill Act, which established land-grant universities like UT to expand access to education and drive economic growth, our mission remains as vital today as it was then. However, our greatest challenge in fulfilling this mission is addressing the critical infrastructure needs that will allow us to continue leading Tennessee into the future.
The University of Tennessee System spans an impressive 31 million square feet across 1,016 buildings − more space than all the state's locally governed institutions (Austin Peay, ETSU, MTSU, Tennessee State, Tennessee Tech and the University of Memphis) combined.
However, the challenge lies in the age of our facilities. With an average building age of 47 years, nearly 30% of our buildings are over 60 years old, and 28 have stood for a century or more. These aging facilities are a testament to UT's legacy, but they also highlight the urgent need for modern infrastructure to meet the demands of today's students and tomorrow's workforce.
Investing in upgrades and expansions isn't just about maintaining our footprint − it's about securing UT's ability to lead Tennessee into the future.
The UT System is proud to play a vital role in educating and upskilling Tennesseans, attracting more students than ever, and preparing the next generation to thrive in high-demand and high-need industries.
We are deeply grateful for the many partnerships and collaborations we share across the state, which makes this progress possible. Together, with continued support and investment, we can fill critical workforce needs and build a brighter, stronger future for Tennessee.
Randy Boyd is the president of the University of Tennessee system.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee gets a large part of its workforce from UT | Opinion
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