The Middle TN Workforce Development Academy (MTWDA) was formed in 2022 as a vision of the National Utility Contractors Association of Middle TN (NUCA). NUCA is an American trade association dedicated to utility and excavation construction contractors that build and maintain our nation’s network of underground and environmental infrastructure. Our industry is made up of small and large businesses that build and repair our nation’s underground infrastructure for drinking water, sewer, natural gas, electric power, and communications systems. To learn more about NUCA, click here
MTWDA was specifically formed to address the workforce needs of the utility and civil construction industry. The Heavy Equipment Academy (HEA) held its first group of classes (cohorts) in 2023 and graduated 23 students between the two classes. There was a 99% hiring placement success amongst the students (one graduate opted to form their own company). Students that participate in the program are taught curriculums from the National Center for Construction and Education Research (NCCER). Upon graduation, students will have completed the CORE curriculum and approximately 3 modules of the Heavy Equipment Operations, Level 1 curriculum. A job fair is held at the end of the program. In 2023, the Academy had more companies participating in the job fair than students graduating. Each student received offers, many of them received multiple offers, and today they are successfully employed with NUCA member companies.