What Is THE WORKS? Franklin, TN's First Skilled Trades Competition for Students

If you've been hearing buzz about THE WORKS 2026, here's the rundown. THE WORKS is a hands-on skilled trades competition coming to Williamson County Ag Expo Park in Franklin, Tennessee on April 21-23, 2026. It's the first event of its kind in our area, and it's designed to showcase real trade skills in a real jobsite setting.

Teams of high school CTE students and community members will compete across three trades: carpentry, electrical, and plumbing. But this isn't your typical academic competition. Judging is split 50/50 between trade skill and professionalism. That means safety, teamwork, readiness, and attitude count just as much as the quality of the work.

THE WORKS is hosted by TradeWorks Collective, a Franklin-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit focused on building career pathways in the skilled trades. The three-day event includes Competition Day on April 21, an Awards Ceremony and Industry Expo on April 22, and a County Wide Youth Job Fair on April 23.

Whether you're a student exploring trade careers, an educator looking for CTE opportunities, or a local business interested in sponsoring or recruiting, THE WORKS is built for you.

School Division teams consist of 10 students from a single school: 4 in carpentry, 3 in electrical, and 3 in plumbing. Open Division teams can be 5-10 participants from mixed backgrounds, with an adult project manager required.

THE WORKS uses W.O.R.K.S. scoring criteria: Workmanship, Ownership, Readiness, Know-How, and Safety. Every participant gets real experience working under jobsite conditions with PPE requirements, stop-work authority, and no cell phones allowed in the construction area.

Registration details and team information are available at TradeWorksCollective.com. If you're in Williamson County or anywhere in Middle Tennessee, this is one to watch.

Why Skilled Trades Careers in Tennessee Are Worth Exploring in 2026

Tennessee is facing a skilled labor shortage that isn't slowing down. The construction and trades workforce gap continues to widen as experienced workers retire and not enough young people enter the pipeline. But for anyone willing to learn a trade, the opportunity has never been better.

Careers in carpentry, electrical, plumbing, welding, and HVAC offer competitive wages without the burden of four-year college debt. In Tennessee, journeyman electricians, plumbers, and carpenters regularly earn $50,000-$80,000+ annually, with experienced tradespeople and business owners earning significantly more.

So why aren't more students considering these paths? Part of the problem is exposure. Many schools have reduced or eliminated shop class programs over the past two decades. Students graduate without ever holding a tape measure, wiring a receptacle, or cutting a piece of pipe.

That's where organizations like TradeWorks Collective come in. Based in Franklin, TN, TradeWorks Collective is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers hands-on skilled trades education through its Shop Class program. Partnering with schools, community organizations, and industry professionals, they give youth and adults direct experience with real tools and real projects.

Their flagship event, THE WORKS, is a skilled trades competition held annually in Williamson County. It puts students on a simulated jobsite where they're judged not just on their craft, but on safety, professionalism, and teamwork. It's designed to mirror what employers actually look for when hiring.

For parents and educators in Middle Tennessee wondering how to connect students with high-demand career pathways, skilled trades programs are worth a serious look. CTE programs in Williamson County Schools and across the state are growing, and nonprofit partners like TradeWorks Collective are helping fill the gaps.

The trades aren't a backup plan. They're a launchpad. And Tennessee is one of the best places in the country to start.