NASHVILLE – State Rep. Esther Helton, R-East Ridge, has been appointed to serve on the newly created Building and Construction Workforce Center Board. The mission of the board is to create an integrated workforce development and career hub for Hamilton County.

The center is a collaboration of the state, city, county, school district, Chattanooga State Community College, Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce and Associated General Contractors of East Tennessee (AGC) to build a new vocational center at the former Mary Ann Garber Elementary School in East Chattanooga. The workforce center will serve high school and college students and adults interested in non-traditional education opportunities.

“It is an honor to be appointed to serve on this board,” Helton said. “My colleagues in the General Assembly and I have prioritized improving and expanding vocational and technical training across the state, and this workforce center will make sure these education opportunities are available right here in Chattanooga. I look forward to working with my fellow board members to promote career and technical education in our community. This center will will help shape the future of our workforce in Hamilton County.”

The board will be responsible for overseeing operations of the center as well as programming, curriculum, and funding.

The Building and Construction Workforce Center is expected to open August 2022 with the goal of placing 100 percent of graduating students in a job or continued education in construction or technical fields.

Esther Helton represents House District 30, which includes part of Hamilton County. She chairs the Public Service Subcommittee and serves on the Health, Local Government and State Government Committees and the Cities and Counties Subcommittee. She can be reached at [email protected] or 615-741-1934.