Turner’s Projects Support the US’ Trades Workforce

Turner has reached a milestone in the construction of the Hudson Valley Community College's (HVCC’s) Applied Technology Education Center.

The US-based construction giant celebrated the topping out of the Applied Technology Education Center which marks the completion of the building’s structural framework.

The 130,000 square foot centre is being built as one of New York’s major workforce development facilities.

After breaking ground in October 2025, Neil Kelleher, Chair of the HVCC Board of Trustees, and a 1991 graduate of the college, said: “Our workforce partners have been telling us for years that they need more skilled workers to fill the jobs that power our region.

“Increased access to our skilled trades and applied technology programs is crucial to the economy, not only for our region, but the state and the entire Northeast.” 

In an official statement, New York Governor, Kathy Hochul said: “We’re training New Yorkers in the jobs of the future — investing in an economy that lifts up communities in the Hudson Valley and beyond.

“With billions of dollars in advanced manufacturing coming to upstate, it’s critical that we ensure the workforce is ready to meet this moment and move our state into a new era of innovation.”

How Turner builds with community in mind

The centre is designed to prepare students starting careers in a diverse range of rapidly growing industries, including engineering, advanced manufacturing and semiconductor technology.

Crucially, the goal is for the facility to strengthen New York’s expanding technology workforce, through the provision of hands-on learning in instructional spaces and specialised laboratories.

Despite the recent moratorium on new hyperscale data centres in New York, due to local concerns such as energy demand and water usage, its high-tech economy is thriving. 

This is helping to position the capital region as a leader in advanced manufacturing and semiconductor innovation.

Constructed as a regional hub for technical learning, once complete, the Applied Technology Education Center will help support the growth of this high-tech economy. 

Turner has considered the community throughout the construction process.

For example, it worked closely with the college and project stakeholders to ensure the project minimally disrupted campus operations.

Turner says it will continue to focus “on safely delivering a facility that will provide lasting value to Hudson Valley Community College, its students, and the surrounding community”.

Building for the future of the trades workforce

The Hudson Valley Community College's Applied Technology Education Center is one of a number of educational facilities Turner has worked on recently.

It also began building and renovating facilities on the Memphis and Northwest campuses of the Tennessee College of Applied Technology in 2025. 

The Memphis campus project is expected to total US$73m while the Northwest campus project will cost US$50m.

“We understand the critical importance to provide opportunities to build the technical expertise of a future workforce,” says Andy Davis, Turner Construction’s Vice President and General Manager.

“By working with the Tennessee College of Applied Technology, students will benefit from these new and renovated resources to future leaders and innovators in technical fields, and we are proud to play a role in their learning.” 

Completion of both projects is expected in 2026.