Workforce Development
ACEC Tennessee is committed to helping grow and retain a diverse and sustainable workforce for the consulting engineering industry. We aim to connect our members with opportunities to attract, develop, and retain the next generation of engineers while supporting the professionals already in our industry.
The following excerpts from the ACEC National Workforce Development Playbook outline the importance of workforce development for our industry and highlight some of the resources that are available.
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.
The Pipeline Project is a two-year national initiative led by the ACEC Workforce Committee to grow the engineering talent pipeline, built in partnership with ACE Mentor Program.
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.
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