In an article published by the Nashville Business Journal on May 6, 2016, Matt DeVries provides insight on how contractors can cope with the lack of skilled laborers and craftsman in Nashville.

The lack of skilled labor has become such a major problem that contractors are handing out incentives and juggling crews among different projects, all while the cost of construction continues to rise. DeVries references Dr. Suess' "The Lorax" as a way to show that everyone in the construction industry, including the government, private developers, contractors and subcontractors, have an important role to play. Last year, Gov. Bill Haslam, with the support of the construction industry, signed into law the Go Build Tennessee program, which promotes construction careers among young people. Although this is a positive step towards mending the problem in Tennessee, DeVries explains that leaders in the construction industry need to think bigger. "We need to partner with local colleges and trade schools and create longer-term internship programs to provide on-the-job training and real experience," explains DeVries.

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