Georgia Contractor (March | April 2016) by Luke Clark

SkillsUSA CAREEREXPO & CEFGA WORLDS OF CONSTRUCTION 2016 March | April 2016

Georgia Contractor

GEORGIA

CONTRACTOR

w w w. t h e g e o r g i a c o n t r a c t o r . c o m Editor-in-Chief: Roland Petersen-Frey Managing Editor: Daniel Simmons | (770) 521-8877 Art Director: Pamela Petersen-Frey | (770) 521-8877

The Georgia Contractor is published bi-monthly on a calendar year basis. It is a magazine designed around the construction industry associations and their members. It is supported by associations and their members. Executive, editorial, circulation, and advertising offices: 1154 Lower Birmingham Road, Canton, Georgia 30115 • Phone: (770) 521-8877 • Fax: (770) 521-0406 E-mail: rfrey@a4inc.com. Send address changes to your association and/or to A4 Inc. Opinions expressed by the authors are not necessarily those of any of the associations or publisher nor do they accept responsibility for errors of content or omissions and, as a matter of policy, neither do they endorse products or advertisements appearing herein. Parts of this magazine may be reproduced with the written consent of the publisher.

March | April 2016

On The Cover ~ This special issue of the Georgia Contractor is produced specifically for the SkillsUSA CareerExpo and Worlds of Construction event taking place on March 17th and 18th at the Georgia International Convention Center in Atlanta. The CareerExpo is Georgia’s largest event designed specifically for young students to explore more than 30 career pathways in construction ranging from tile setter to safety professional and from line worker to heavy equipment operator. The Expo is divided into 14 different worlds, eg. World of Plumbing, World of Green Construction Management, World of Engineering and Architecture, etc. filling a space equal to six football fields. Each world is designed to be interesting, interactive and educational with a specific focus on how academic studies in math or science as examples are used on the job and what types of careers are available. Pictured on the cover is Chris Cole, a third-year apprentice at McKenney’s Heating and Air Conditioning Company in Atlanta. He is fabricating S-Locks, which are connecting components for duct work.v 5

CONTENTS 9

Welcome from Gretchen Corbin, Commissioner, TCSG

10 Welcome from Richard Woods, Georgiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s School Superintendent

16 The Next Chapter

24 World of Masonry

18 CEFGA CareerExpo

26 World of Power

Leads Directly to Career for Young Equipment Operator

20 World of Electrical 13 Making it Real 14 Interview with Dr. Alvetta Thomas 6

Contracting

22 World of Highway Contracting & Maintenance

Transmission

30 Equipmet You Might Use 32 World of Mining 33 World of Finishes 34 World of Electrical Power Georgia Contractor

36 World of Utility

40 World of Welding

44 World of Landscaping

42 World of Energy

46 World of Plumbing

Contracting

38 World of HVAC

ADVERTISEMENTS A4 Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 AGC (Associated General Contractors) . . . .Inside Front Cover AGC Young Leadership . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39 AECA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27 Atlanta Technical College . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Chattahoochee Technical College . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 CLP Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 Coastal Pine Tech . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 GCAA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Georgia Power Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4, 35 Georgia 811 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Back Cover March | April 2016

Georgia Trade School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Go Build Georgia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3, 23 GUCA (GA Utility Construction) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29 IEC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41 Metro Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19 MTI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Inside Back Cover New South Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19 RHD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 Silt Saver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Technical College System of Georgia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 Yancey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 7

RepResenting geoRgia aggRegate industRy since 1967 Georgia Construction Aggregate Association and Georgia Mining Association are hosting the 2016 Joint Safety Alliance Workshop on May 4-5, 2016, at the Anderson Conference Center, 5171 Eisenhower Parkway, Macon, GA 31206

GCAA will participate with a booth at the CEFGA Career Expo and SkillsUSA State Championships on March 17 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 18, 2016 at the Georgia International Convention Center, College Park, GA Address: 9810A Medlock Bridge Road, Suite 202, Johns Creek, GA 30097 Phone: 678-473-0012 Fax: 678-473-0015 www.gcaa.org

Georgia Contractor

Dear SkillsUSA Participant: On behalf of Governor Deal and the entire team at the Technical College System of Georgia, it is my pleasure to welcome you to the SkillsUSA Georgia Postsecondary Competitions. Our college students look forward each year to SkillsUSA and the opportunity it provides to showcase the expertise they acquire from their technical education. Those who progress to the national competition in Louisville, Kentucky are able to display their skill and proudly represent our colleges on a bigger stage, bringing credit to Georgiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s entire Technical College System. I want to recognize the hard work and detailed planning that has gone into this event, and to extend a special thanks to President Alvetta Thomas and her team at Atlanta Technical College for graciously extending the use of the college and staff members to host this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s state competitions. To each high school and college student in the 2016 SkillsUSA competition, I extend my personal congratulations and commend you for the dedication and commitment that brought you here. The knowledge you have acquired and the leadership skills learned through your participation in SkillsUSA will be of great benefit to you in the demanding workforce of tomorrow. I wish you much success.

Sincerely,

Gretchen Corbin Commissioner, Technical College System of Georgia

March | April 2016

Georgia Contractor

Richard Woods, Georgia’s School Superintendent ‘Educating Georgia’s Future’

Dear Students, Here in Georgia, we have one very important goal: making sure that when you graduate from high school, you have the tools you need to live a fulfilling and productive life. Whether you attend a college or university, enter the workforce or pursue an apprenticeship opportunity, or serve in the military, we want you to have the tools you need to be successful. One way that’s happening is through Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education, which provides real-world work experience and work-based learning opportunities to prepare you for life beyond high school and college. Our Career Pathways are designed to blend critical thinking with strong academics and realworld application, bolstered by strong business and industry partnerships. Schools now have a choice of more than 200 courses within 127 of those Pathways to offer their students. We want to provide you with an education that exposes you to future opportunities, strengthens your practical skills, and brings the traditional academics to life —and the construction Career Pathway is a great example. Due to a retiring workforce and growth in the industry, construction job opportunities are expected to grow, but the skills required for these jobs can take years to acquire. If you are seeking a career in this field, the construction Pathway will provide you with a solid foundation that will prepare you for careers in designing, planning, managing, building, and maintaining the built environment. No matter what you choose to do in the future, I encourage you to take advantage of the many resources available to help you identify a career that makes use of your unique talents and allows you to serve your community, state, and world – and I wish you the very best in finding those opportunities.

Sincerely,

Richard Woods State School Superintendent v

March | April 2016

Georgia Contractor

Making it real Imagine a world without builders! The people who build what others dream; the people who nail the wood, solder the pipes, weld the metal, connect the wires and paint the walls of the places we call ‘home,’ ‘church,’ ‘work,’ and ‘fun.’ I think about this when my family visits Disney World each year. Builders are always working to make the place more magical. Sometimes, the work is big and noticeable. Sometimes, it’s small. This time, for example, there was a large crane towering over Cinderella’s Castle. It looked like another spire rising in the sky, except for a large bucket dangling in front of the castle. The bucket was there for builders who were applying a fresh coat of paint to her majesty’s palace. I remember being at the Magic Kingdom three years ago, when a large construction crew was working on the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. There were crews totaling more than 100 workers. This time, the builders were all gone. In their place was a beautiful new roller coaster and hundreds of people, families standing in line to ride the most popular new attraction at Disney. Families were lined up to make special memories, all because of the builders. It’s amazing what builders do. They make dreams real. Sure, builders make great money. Sure, there is great career opportunity to grow, to advance, to maybe one day own your own company. Sure, the construction industry is growing, and there are all types of opportunity for young people in our industry today. For me, the most exciting part of being a builder is knowing that you are the one who is making it real; knowing that years in the future, you can come back and say, “I built that.” March | April 2016

Construction is that students can learn about these careers; students can learn what builders do; what builders earn; what projects builders are building, directly from more than 300 employers, all under one roof. Scott Shelar is in his 18th year as President and CEO of CEFGA. Scott lives in Decatur, Georgia, with his wife of 20 years and their two young children. CEFGA is building the construction industry one person at a time. www.cefga.org v Scott Shelar You don’t have to go all the way to Orlando to see proof. Right here in Georgia. Right now. Two professional sports stadiums are being built. Thousands of equipment operators, carpenters, electricians, plumbers, pipefitters, masons, welders, all builders, are making these awesome structures real. In 2017, when these stadiums are complete, hundreds of thousands of fans will be cheering on their favorite hometown team … all because of the builders. The wonderful thing about the SkillsUSA CareerExpo and Worlds of

Interview with Dr. Alvetta Thomas President of Atlanta Technical College Georgia Contractor: We’re hearing more and more nowadays about how under prepared high schoolers are for the real world upon graduation, often not even being functionally literate. How has this problem affected you and how is Atlanta Technical College responding? We recognize that not every student will walk through our doors ready for the academic rigor of college. Therefore, we have put in place systems and programs to meet them where they are and get them to where they need to be. Through every step of a student’s matriculation at Atlanta Technical College, staff is available to help him or her find academic success. We’ve also recognized that we must work with the larger community to mitigate problems before they arise. To that end, we have been laser-focused on working with the Technical College System of Georgia, local school systems, and the business community to bring about the seamless transition from high school to college and from college to the workplace. Strategies such as summer academic and leadership camps for high school students and dual enrollment programs with area high schools have shown great promise in closing the educational divide. High school students have also responded well when we have offered innovative courses that pique their interests. For example, programs such as video post-production, computer-aided design (CAD), and digital illustration really seem to appeal to students who enjoy computer apps and other modern technology.

GC:

How do you decide which new courses to oﬀer as you adapt to the changing job market? 14

GC: Do corporations pay for this type of service? That is, do they pay to have you develop courses that are specifically made to suit their own industry’s needs?

Dr. Alvetta Thomas

Our mission is workforce development. As such, we work closely with the chambers of commerce, workforce development agencies, departments of labor, and business organizations to conduct environmental and employment scans. We then use the data and experiential findings to develop programs to meet industry’s needs. A good example would be the recent addition of our Center for Supply Chain and Logistics. Several years ago, we were made aware of Georgia’s desire to deepen the Savannah harbor and expand the functionality of Hartsfield-Jackson Airport. Knowing that an educated, skilled supply chain workforce would be needed to accomplish both of these objectives and then to work in the expanding industry, we made the decision to develop supply chain and logistics pathway programs at the college. We also signed a ‘2+2 agreement’ with Clayton State University that allows the graduates of the supply chain management associate of science degree program at Atlanta Technical College program to transfer seamlessly to the bachelor’s degree program at Clayton State.

There are two methods that we employ for creating educational programs. The first is for credit programs. The example that I shared shows how we develop an ongoing educational program to prepare students for work in high-demand fields. We don’t charge a fee to create credit programs, but we do hope that the companies that express a need for skilled workers will support our efforts by funding scholarships, providing internships, and hiring our graduates. Our BMW partnership is a good model of how the first option works. In the late 1990s, Henry ‘Hank’ Aaron shared with us that he was having a difficult time finding qualified service technicians for his BMW dealership in Georgia. We enhanced our existing automotive program to address industry needs and then worked with the BMW North America team to develop the MetroStep program. Through the program, candidates for graduation from the Atlanta Tech automotive program are interviewed by BMW personnel. The students who are selected for MetroStep then participate in a sixmonth advanced training program at BMW. Upon successful completion, they are hired by BMW. To ensure that promising students are not hindered by the cost of college tuition, BMW has also provided scholarships for automotive students. Piloted at Atlanta Technical College, the program has been extremely successful and has now spread throughout much of the United States. I mentioned that there are two unique ways that we address the Georgia Contractor

needs of business and industry. Through the Economic Development Division, Atlanta Technical College offers customized contract training. These are fee-based, noncredit programs designed to meet the specific needs of a business, not for profit, government agency, or community customer. Let’s say a leading power company is in need of qualified linemen. We can create a program to teach their existing employees the latest industry techniques, or we can develop a program to teach new candidates the entire spectrum of job competencies. The training is quick, focused, and results-driven.

GC: Tell us a little bit about your involvement with apprenticeship programs. I know that the Governor has recently spoken a fair bit about apprenticeships and it would seem to be another great way to solve the problems you’re describing. We’re just beginning to engage in the apprenticeship space. Historically, we’ve worked with internships, which are typically non-paid. So our students matriculate through their program of study and then go to work to gain industry experience. Instead of earning a pay check, their work is graded and becomes part of their transcript. An apprenticeship is slightly different, and we are eager to begin operating in that space. In an apprenticeship, the college and the industry partner work together closely to identify learning outcomes and workplace expectations. The students get paid for their time and earn experience simultaneously. It is a model that is very popular in Europe and we are currently in the process of developing apprenticeship programs at Atlanta Tech.

GC: Do these efforts have anything to do with your exchange program with Germany? The German educational model is heavily reliant on apprenticeships, is this something that you’re looking to replicate? March | April 2016

Absolutely. In fact, at the end of March, we will have our first Global Faculty Initiative. We have invited one faculty member from every technical college in the state of Georgia to come to our campus for one week of training on the German vocational model. That same group of faculty members will spend a week in Germany to see that model fully operational. A key component of the Germany educational model is the apprenticeship program and the instructors from Detmold, Germany will share their views on how these types of programs support student success. We are excited to offer Georgia educators the opportunity to learn best practices from around the world, and the best part is that it does not cost them a cent; this project has been fully funded by The Halle Foun-

dation which is based in Atlanta and by the Herz Foundation, which is German-based. Atlanta Technical College has had a global focus for nearly two decades. Since 1998, we have had a full-immersion student and faculty exchange program with Felix-Fechenbach Berufskolleg in Detmold, Germany. In this program, Atlanta Technical College students go to Germany, stay with a host family for two weeks, attend classes at Felix-Fechenbach with their host, and then participate in mini-internships with German companies. The following year, the Atlanta Technical College students welcome the German students into their homes and classrooms for two weeks. This program—the Halle Exchange—has laid the foundation for the Global Faculty Exchange and other collaborative learning experiences.

GC: How would you describe your vision of Atlanta Technical College’s future? The future is bright at Atlanta Technical College. Our programs are growing to meet industry demand, and we are constantly securing the latest technology for our labs and simulation areas. With the help of the support services we put in place, students are achieving at high levels, and our graduation rates are on the rise. One of the new offerings that I am excited about is the Atlanta College and Career Academy (ACCA). We were recently awarded a $3.3 million grant to launch the academy, and I believe that the ACCA will help us connect with high school students and their parents to help them to make well-informed career choices. The ACCA is different from a traditional career academy in that it will be housed on the Atlanta Technical College campus. The high school students will not have separate classes. They will be integrated into our traditional classrooms and will have a true college experience. At first glance, it may seem like a dual or joint enrollment program, but the Atlanta College and Career Academy is so much more. While students are assimilated into mainstream classes, they will have staff and resources that are exclusive to them. Once the ACCA physical structure is complete, it will house computer labs, a dining hall, and study areas that are solely for the high school students. The ACCA facility will also include support staff offices where career counselors, achievement coaches, and tutors will be available to address the needs of the academy students. The first cohort of the Atlanta College and Career Academy will begin fall 2016. We are currently accepting applications, and students and their parents can obtain additional information by contacting our high school programs coordinator at (404) 225-4511 or jgilyard@atlantatech.edu v 15

The Next Chapter: Gearing for Success through Training and Education By Ryan Boling | Training Operations Manager | HB NEXT The end of the school year is quickly approaching and anticipation of the spring and summer months is growing. While many students will understandably choose to spend their spring and summer breaks traveling, resting, relaxing, and spending time with family and friends, others will be studying, practicing, apprenticing, and training in preparation for what will soon become the next step in their lives- and the beginning of their careers, also. Skilled tradespeople are becoming rare commodities in our nation’s workforce, and there are career opportunities galore available for capable, trainable individuals that can be developed into future skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen. Outside of having a passion for your trade and possessing the right work ethic, what makes these opportunities more readily available both in the short-term and long-termis training, industry and job-specific training, which often results in credentialing, and/or certification. Now, many students view the culmination of their high school or college careers as the ‘light at the end of the (educational) tunnel.’ “I’ve put my time in, and now, I’m done with learning!” Sound familiar? What many fail to realize though, is that the process of learning and growing as both a person and a professional, is ongoing, and it does not end with earning a diploma or degree.

quire some training or contin-

uing education in order to obtain a job, maintain a job, and ultimately, to advance within a

career. You will have to be trained how to perform your duties safely and in compliance with government regulations, all while adhering to your organization’s written policies. Professionals don’t have the luxury of ignoring the requirement for continuing education- just ask any doctor, lawyer, accountant or other licensed professional you happen to meet. You’ll soon learn that even with all the knowledge you’ve obtained thus far, changes will invariably occur in business. Technology will advance, methodologies will be redefined, existing laws will be amended, new laws will be enacted, and you will require training to interpret these changes and maintain current education levels in your area of expertise. In today’s economic and legal landscape, companies simply cannot

Training is a process, not an event. Regardless of whether you are preparing for a career in the power industry, construction, automotive repair, criminal justice or cosmetology, you will re-

Georgia Contractor

afford to not provide training to their employees. In various industries like construction, manufacturing, or transportation, where there can be a high degree of danger involved in the dayto-day operations, a lack of training can quickly result in serious injuries, illnesses or even fatalities. The collateral (financial) damage that results from these incidents can sometimes be significant enough to force a company to close their doors for business permanently. It is the existence and prevalence of such danger in the workplace that makes training such a high priority not only for companies, but also, for governmental agencies like the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), which is legally responsible for both setting and enforcing safety and health standards for the workplace. Without training, sadly, productivity suffers, accidents happen, people get hurt unnecessarily, and companies end up losing hard-earned money that could have otherwise been spent on employee incentives, pay increases or other worthwhile investments. In the end, nobody wins in the absence of training. So, as you learn and grow in life as well as in your career, you will begin to

see (some, sooner than others) that through the ups and downs, good times, bad times, trials and tribulations, training regularly occurs along the way. It doesn’t always occur in the workplace or in a classroom setting. Training can come from a teacher, relative, family friend or other party that’s interested in your overall success. Do yourself and your future industry a favor. Take full advantage of training and educational opportunities when they are presented to you. They won’t always come free of charge. Pay

close attention to the lessons being taught by your instructors, superiors, community leaders, and elders. Apply them to your work and everyday life where appropriate. If you pay really close attention, you’ll realize that all of us—as inhabitants of this planet Earth- have been surrounded by ‘trainers’ and have been ‘training’ in some form or fashion, for our whole lives... Sometimes, we just have to open our ears and listen a little more closely to recognize the lessons when they’re being offered. v

“Gort! Klaatu Borada nikto.”

(770) 521-8877 USE A COMPAny yOU CAn TRUST WITh yOUR TRAnSlATIOn PROJECT, because a little mistake in another language can have unpleasant results. March | April 2016

CEFGA CareerExpo Leads Directly to Career for Young Equipment Operator When John Dolsak climbed onto a trackhoe at the Construction Education Foundation of Georgia’s 2014 CareerExpo, he had no idea he was about to lay the groundwork for a new career. Dolsak, a senior at Fayetteville’s Whitewater High School at the time, was attending his first CEFGA CareerExpo. He had come as part of an automotive service team for the concurrent SkillsUSA competition, and was merely test-driving the excavator, one of several machines students are invited to check out in a demo area outside the Georgia International Convention Center. But watching from nearby was Ed Shipley, a vice president for Ronny D. Jones Enterprises (RDJE). Shipley was helping supervise the demo operation and, like a big league scout at a high school baseball game, he knew talent when he saw it. “It was very obvious in the first minute or so that John had run a tractor before and knew what he was doing,” Shipley recalls. “I yelled over to the guy who was supervising that area and said, ‘When he gets off, send him to talk to me.’” The two chatted and Dolsak left with Shipley’s business card and an invitation to work for Newnan-based RDJE, a full-service construction company, when he finished high school. Dolsak kept in touch and was hired by RDJE in May 2014 The CareerExpo is designed for such networking opportunities. The most recent event, in March 2015, gave more than 5,000 high school and college-age students access to some 1,200 industry personnel, plus a first-hand look at every aspect of the construction business. For Dolsak, it was “an opportunity to meet and talk to somebody who was in the industry. If I hadn’t met Ed there, I probably wouldn’t be 18

in a job like this.” Although Dolsak grew up around construction—his father and grandfather had a Florida-based marine construction business that specialized in building docks—he focused on automotive work at Whitewater. He ran the school’s auto shop and

did everything from oil changes to transmission rebuilds to engine swaps. He was good at it, but he had a nagging sense that automotive wasn’t exactly his career calling. “I like doing it on my own,” Dolsak says, “but I wouldn’t want to do it as a full-

Georgia Contractor

time job.” Shipley was correct in recognizing Dolsak’s experience on a trackhoe. He had spent “20 hours or so” running one on a family farm in North Carolina. Dolsak recalls times from his boyhood when “I would see equipment on the side of the road and it always interested me.” Now 20, Dolsak spends most of his time for RDJE running a wheel loader. His supervisors say his natural ability is nicely complemented by a willingness to learn and a strong work ethic. “He had a good mechanical background, but he didn’t know a lot about what we were doing when he first came to work,” foreman Tim Tittle recalls. “He watched and he learned how to run the loader real fast. It’s hard to find young people who learn and work as hard as John does.” Shipley agrees, adding that Dolsak is “not afraid to work.” “I’ve learned a lot from people in the company,” says Dolsak, who has worked on numerous jobs in the metro Atlanta area and as far away as Columbus. “I learned a lot from a crew I worked with in Griffin over the summer, doing 12-inch waterline and moving road. I got to dig a lot on that job.” Watching Dolsak at the controls of the loader, it’s clear he’s confident and in his element. But he’s not arrogant, and he advises prospective young laborers to adopt a similar attitude if they hope to succeed in the business. “I like operating,” he says. “I was interested in it and I would watch other people do it and just to try to picture how I would do it. But you can’t just jump in and do that right away. A lot of people say they want to be an operator, but it takes time. The main thing is show up to work and don’t come in thinking you know everything.” It does help, however, to know people—people like Ed Shipley, for example. As Dolsak learned at the CEFGA CareerExpo, trackhoe skills can open a door, but networking can March | April 2016

lead to a full-time spot in the driver’s seat. Story and photos by Al Allen Allnoch, feature writer for CEFGA - the

Construction Education Foundation of Georgia. Founded in 1993, CEFGA is Building Opportunities for Georgia. www.cefga.org v

World of electrical contracting Imagine that your skills, the ones you use every day at work, lead to the safety, comfort, and prosperity of others in your community. When you go to work, you light up a dark parking lot to ensure the safety of people parking their cars. Your skills are needed to feed electricity to the HVAC machine for a hospital ensuring the comfort of many patients. Later in the day, you completely energize a manufacturing facility where numerous jobs are created. A career of this magnitude lies within the reach of anyone willing to work hard, study with discipline and gain new skills. Electricians work on diverse jobsites, and they work on an array of electrical problems each day. Countless electricians reminisce about the pride they have when they drive by a building where they helped power the building from the ground up. If you like working with your hands, seeing the results of your labor at the end of the day or just want a career that you know contributes comfort and value to society, then you should consider the Independent Electrical Contractors Electrical Apprenticeship Program. Attending the Electrical Apprenticeship Program requires you to work for an electrical contractor in the field so you gain paid hands on training each day. As an Electrical Apprentice, you attend class one day per week where you learn the theoretical and academic basis for electrical installations and the best part: you learn a skill that delivers an exciting lifelong career with no student debt!

Electricians work on diverse jobsites and weather conditions.

Career Opportunities and Average Annual Income Electrical Contractor – Income: Limited by Your Performance and Dreams Electrical Project Manager – Income: $93,000 + Electrical Superintendent-Income: $89,000 + Electrical Supervisor – Income: $57,000 Electrician 1 – Income: $44,530 + Electrical Apprentice – Income: $20,000 – $38,000 (based on successful progress years 1-4) *Salary.com – represents average salary, all categories For Career Opportunities: Contact IEC at 770-242-9277 or see iecatlanta.org or iecgeorgia.org, email: danielle.jordan@iecatlanta.org v

Georgia Contractor

CLP: Closing the Skills Gap One Job at a Time Closing the Skills Gap – what does that mean? To CLP it means providing workforce solutions to our customers and creating opportunities to put people to work every day. We change lives of our customers and workers by doing one thing and doing it well: skilled trades staffing! We provide qualified workers to customers throughout Georgia and the entire United States. We partner with some of the largest and best construction companies to provide safe, reliable employment opportunities to thousands of workers each day. CLP is proud to align with CEFGA as its placement program leader. We take certified students and work with our customers and CEFGA members to place these students as temporary workers or as temporary to permanent employees, affording you the cost benefit of testing a workers skills set and match for values prior to signing that person on permanently. This model creates win-win for both the employer and the employee. We invest in the students training and meeting our customer’s priorities and objectives remains our clear directive. The CEFGA System, a construction Workforce Development Plan for Georgia, is shown below:

AWARE NE SS

WEBSITES, OUTREACH, MEDIA

TRAINING/EDUCATION

HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE

LEVEL SKILLED TRADES PROGRAMS

PLACEMENT/EMPLOYMENT

EMPLOYMENT THROUGH

CLP, LABOR UNIONS, AND PRIVATE INDUSTRY

TERRY DAUGHERTY | CLP RESOURCES 8975 Roswell Road Suite 207 Atlanta, GA 30350 678-710-0826 678-710-0829 fax 404-987-9325 cell tdaugherty@clp.com www.clp.com March | April 2016

World of highway contracting & maintenance By Chuck Little | H.R. Director | Atlanta Electrical Contractors Association The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) plans, constructs, and maintains Georgia's state and federal highways. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re involved in bridge, waterway, public transit, rail, general aviation, bike, and pedestrian programs. And we help local governments maintain their roads. Georgia DOT strives to reduce highway congestion and Highway Emergency Response Operators (HEROs) are the key component of our incident management program. The State Maintenance Office coordinates all statewide maintenance activities such as bridge and sign maintenance, landscaping the Wildflower Program, roadway striping, routine maintenance of state highway system, emergency response (both roadway and weather induced), the Adopt-a-Highway Program, and develops contract documents for letting maintenance projects. The Construction Division oversees project advertising, letting and awards; oversight of construction projects; transportation research; testing of materials; and contract payments. Here are infinite opportunities that you will find interesting as the range of jobs is so broad. v

The State Maintenance Office coordinates all statewide maintenance activities such as bridge and sign maintenance, landscaping the Wildflower Program, roadway striping, routine maintenance of state highway system, emergency response (both roadway and weather induced), and the Adopt-a-Highway Program.

The Bridge Design office oversees the structural design of highway bridges, culverts, and retaining walls.

Georgia Contractor

March | April 2016

World of masonry What does a mason do? Basically, a mason lays brick and block to the line. The Masonry Association of Georgia (MAG) is targeting high school students who want to get a jump on their careers through a Department of Labor (DOL) certified apprenticeship program. According to the DOL Statistics, “employment of brick masons and block masons is projected to grow 19 percent from 2014 to 2024, much faster than the average for all occupations. Population growth will result in the construction of more schools, hospitals, apartment buildings, and other structures, many of which are made of brick and block. In addition, masons will be needed to restore a growing number of brick buildings“. With this surge in construction and the aging workforce leaving construction, apprentices will be able to get the on the job training they need while attending MAG’s apprenticeship training program. Masons work with brick, concrete block and stone and may specialize in one or more of these materials. These materials demand the highest level of skill because the finished product is what the public sees. MAG uses a two-pronged (classroom and hands-on) approach for training. Here’s how Executive Director Michele Huber explains the classroom component. “We have structured our apprenticeship program around the NCCER text that is currently used in Georgia high schools. This will ensure that those students who have already demonstrated a willingness to learn the trade in high school can get a head start when they join the MAG program.” She continues, “If we can continue to engage these students after high school and train them correctly, we will have masons who build with quality and future foremen and superintendents who will carry on the art of the masonry trade. We want to show students a profitable career path in masonry—either working for a masonry contractor or as an 24

working on final project of the semester independent business owner.” By the end of the first semester, most apprentices have the basics of masonry under their belt and can be productive on the job. “Apprentices must meet the competencies and stages of the program before moving on to the next level and pay grade,” states Kenneth Cook of Pyramid Masonry and chair of the MAG Apprenticeship Committee. He adds, “We try to focus on the hands-on aspect and get them working out in the field as soon as possible to reinforce their

training and expose them to realworld job conditions.” Fact is, anyone can buy the materials and the tools, and look in a book or attend a workshop to figure out a way to lay brick, block or stone. But what separates amateurs from professionals is not only skill, but the professional pride in doing the job right. For more information about a career in masonry, contact MAG at 770-310-1885 or ww.masonryassocga.com v Georgia Contractor

March | April 2016

World of power transmission Working on power transmission is one of the most satisfying and important jobs you can do, mostly because you work on projects that are essential to our daily livesâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;electrical power distribution. What would we do without it? Electricity is absolutely essential, so if you repair wires or cut down trees to restore power to areas, you are doing work that is more than just satisfying. It is life-saving work. Have a look at some of the photos that describe well what power transmission is all about. A Georgia Power line worker can make anywhere from $29,000 to $55,000 plus overtime, depending on years of service. v

Lineman standing in front of his truck before starting the day. Linemen must maintain a weight below 270 pounds. 26

Georgia Contractor

March | April 2016

A Georgia Power lineman walks past downed tree limbs after a storm making repairs to get the lights turned back on for customers. A Georgia Power lineman must be free from all tobacco products (including but not limited to cigarettes, cigars, pipes, chew, snuff, patch, and/gum) at least six months prior to applying for a position.

Two linemen, one in a bucket truck stringing wire. Linemen must be able to work at heights and climb tall structures.

An electrical line technician installing a smart meter on a home. Electrical line technicians have to sometimes work in extreme weather conditions.

A lineman viewing various locations and details of outages in order to complete work orders in the field. Line workers must be at least 18 years old.

Georgia Contractor

March | April 2016

Equipment you might use You might become a skilled tradesman, but you also need to know how to use the ‘Tools of the Trade.’ For some it might be a hammer or a wrench, for others they may have four

foot wheels and weigh ten tons. In this section, we will show you some of these tools & equipment, what they do, and for what purpose they were designed. We would like to

thank Yancey Bros. For providing the photos for this section and for the description giving you a good idea what each piece of equipment does.v

The Cat® 735C with a 28.7 cubic yard, 36 ton capacity offers proven reliability, durability, high productivity, superior operator comfort, and lower operating costs. With many updated and improved features, an all new power train, and new ease of operation, the 735C is now more productive than ever before.

The Cat® 416F2 Backhoe Loader features a spacious operator station, optional pilot controls, superior durability, and outstanding performance. It allows operators to safely operate on the job site with quieter hydraulics, increased visibility, and the ability to have four wheel braking engaged without wearing on tires or drive train. 30

Georgia Contractor

Made in LaGrange, Georgia, the Cat® 535D Skidder is the workhorse of the woods. Its allows operators to get more wood to the landing faster in a stable machine with a roomy, comfortable environment for the operator. Advanced hydraulics speed up multi-functioning and cycle times and give you more lift capacity. The Cat® D6T Dozer has the pushing power you want for heavy dozing applications and the fine control you need for finish grading – all in one easy-to-transport machine. A choice of configurations, undercarriage and track, rear implements and blades give you multiple options to put together a machine ideally suited to the work you do day after day.

March | April 2016

World of mining Let‘s introduce you to the aggregate industry. When I was young, I never even heard of the word aggregate, yet it is a very important product in construction. Well, what is it? Actually it is crushed stone and it is being obtained from rock mines (never underground). The stone is crushed into various sizes and is used in the production of asphalt, laying down rails, concrete, highway construction, and much more. So it is pretty important. If you enjoy the outdoors and seek a career path that is truly satisfying and very interesting, this one is for you. Excellent on-the-job training is available to you, and the pay is very good. The photos introduce you to the aggregate industry and give you an idea of what to expect. Here is what Jeff Wansley, Executive Director of the Georgia Construction Aggregate Association says: The Aggregate Industry is a major contributor to the US economy. The USGS (United States Geological Survey) estimated that the total tonnage of crushed stone sold as aggregate material in 2013 exceeded 2.1 billion tons. This number seems very large because aggregate material plays a part in many facets of modern life. The NSSGA (National Stone, Sand, and Gravel Association) estimates that every American will use 1.18 million pounds of stone, sand and gravel in their lifetime. From the roads we drive on, to the buildings we work or study in, to the homes we live in, aggregate is a primary component of the construction materials used in these modern conveniences. We could not have airports, skyscrapers or railway transportation without the aggregate material that goes into modern concrete and asphalt formulas. While the mining opera32

tions that produce aggregate material are ubiquitous, not many people are aware of their existence because most operations go to great lengths to operate unobtrusively and in a eco-friendly manner. In the US, there are 5,400 aggregate mining companies operating more than 10,000 individual mines and quarries. The jobs available in these operations range from engineers to heavy equipment operators and from blasting experts to financial analysts. In addition to providing the materials we build our lives with, the aggregate industry provides the means to provide a livelihood to many employees and their families. v

The 2014 Atlas Copco Flexiroc D65 production drill is capable of drilling 4.5” to 8” diameter boreholes to a depth of 140’ and at an average rate of 3’ per minute. The articulated boom design enables the drilling of not only vertical holes but also forward, sideways, and compound angle holes. The driller’s compartment provides comfort and a panoramic view of the work area. Georgia Contractor

World of finishes The Specialty Commercial Contractors sponsoring this year’s World of Finishes are responsible for transforming wood, concrete, and steel into spaces that inspire and reflect the vision and values of the organizations occupying them, spaces that building owners can be proud of. Marek, CC Owen, and Goodman are all specialty construction companies contributing to the World of Finishes and creating both beautiful and functional buildings where we work, play and live. Careers in Finishes Interiors and Finishes contractors offer students careers in a wide range of specialty trades. Whether you are interested in the rugged challenge of building out spaces, learning about layout and carpentry, installing metal framing and hanging drywall, or focusing on more detail work in ceilings, finishing, painting, plaster, flooring, and shades— the World of Finishes offers a multitude of long and rewarding careers. Requiring only a desire for physical work and seeing things built, work ethic, and a hunger to learn—students can enter Finishes trades right out of school and find satisfaction in seeing their completed work each day. Earn and learn: On the Job Training Marek’s Workforce Development Program is unique to the industry and provides trainees with a fast-track, structured on-the-job training program for learning metal stud framing, drywall hanging, acoustical ceilings, drywall finishing, and solar shade installation. Trainees are also taught valuable leadership skills which can transition them into coaching, field supervision or other leadership roles within the company. As trainees move up from Helper to Mechanic and ultimately to Leadman and Foreman, they earn new skills, industry certifications, and accompanying pay increases. In addition to their craft, workforce development March | April 2016

Completed concierge desk with Coke red light cove and GFRG column cover trainees learn foundational construction knowledge such as reading blueprints and have the opportunity to work with cutting edge blueprint technology on iPads and tablets in the field. John Hinson, Marek executive and President of AWCI, says, “The future is bright for Interiors and Finish trades. The latest technology provides avenues for students who enjoy working with their hands the ability to combine their techno-skills and construct state of the art buildings. Build the landmarks you can show your children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Make a decision now that will last more than your lifetime.” hard Tile: Representing the World of Finishes, Hard Tile Contracting in CEFGA Expo for the eighth straight year is C. C. Owen Tile Company Inc. CC Owen is a commercial Tile, Terrazzo, Marble specialty contractor which was founded in 1956 and is celebrating its 60th year in business this year About the trade of tile: The hard tile industry continues to grow and now tile is available in a variety of materials and in multiple different sizes. This variety of materials tile is made of ceramic, clay, porcelain, glass, metal, and the different sizes, 1/2”x 1/2” to 60”x 120” have created

multiple opportunities for designs, specifications, and types of applications tile products are used in. Installing ceramic tile is hard work, labor intensive, and extremely exacting. Most would say in fact that it’s an art form. Tile setters, often referred to as a ‘tile mechanic’ generally work indoors and during the day. Ceramic tile mechanics are craftsmen with age-old skills. The trade as a career: A tile mechanic is typically assisted by another individual called a helper, often referred to as a ‘tile finisher.’ The finisher starts with the most basic tasks, prepares the work site, setting up the material for the mechanic, carrying material and tools, mixing cement, thin-set, and grouts. While the finisher receives compensation to work underneath a skilled mechanic, the byproduct for the finisher is the finisher picks up and acquires those same skills of the mechanic over time, eventually becoming a tile mechanic. The recognized time to acquire the knowledge and skills required to become a tile mechanic is typically four years of uninterrupted experience. If you are a person that is detail oriented, neat, proficient with math skills, good hand to eye coordination, have physical stamina and strength, and enjoy seeing tangible fruits from your labor, this trade is for you. v 33

World of electrical power By Chuck Little | H.R. Director | Atlanta Electrical Contractors Association One of the most rewarding and interesting outdoor and indoor activities is working with electrical installations, whether they are in a stadium or at an airport. To give you a glimpse of what we are talking about, we have added a number of photos that depict so well what this career is all about. Chuck Little of the Atlanta Electrical Contractors Association is saying it well. In this day and age, living without electricity would be unthinkable. The alarm clock, whether it was plug-in or battery (it was charged), that woke you up this morning was only because of electricity. When you rolled out of bed, one of the first things you did, most likely, was turn on a light. The hot coffee or warm breakfast you ate this morning was probably heated up by electricity. It’s easy to take electricity for granted, but have you thought about all the jobs related to the world of electrical work? There are plenty of them: Electrical Engineers, Project Managers, Supervisors, Safety Directors, Electricians, Estimators, Foremen, Accountants, Voice-Data-Video Technicians, Bookkeepers, and the list goes on. But one of the coolest things about our industry is the fact that you can say you were a part of building that: stadium, school, skyscraper, hotel, hospital, arena, or mall (to give you just a few examples). Here’s the best part. You get paid to learn our trade. Our program is fulltime work and part-time, tuition-free schooling. What does that mean for you? No student loan debt. And while everyone thinks electrical construction workers don’t make a whole lot of money, nothing is further from the truth. If you start and complete our apprenticeship program straight out of high school, you will be a 23 year old person making right around $60,000 ,per year as a minimum. 34

This is a crew installing high voltage ductbank between manholes for a new building at the University of Georgia. The crew is forming the ductbank for concrete. Typically, you would use the walls of the ditch as a form but due to the large number of conduits and the depth of the trench, we had to make a wide, sloped wall trench for safety purposes. We then had to use plywood to form and we also had to place rebar inside the ductbank as well. Once the ductbank is complete, we would come back and pull 25KV high voltage cable in the conduits and splice in the manholes. As you look at some of the photos on the following pages, consider whether or not you can picture yourself as

being part of this very dynamic industry. Electricity is never going away. Talk about job security. v

Georgia Contractor

March | April 2016

World of utility contracting Great Careers and on the job training/apprenticeship opportunities in the Utility Contracting field. Read below the comments by the President of GUCA. It is proof that great jobs are available, pay well, and offer excellent and very satisfying careers. Following is a commentary by Bobby Cates, President of the Georgia Utility Contractors Association “Well, the world needs ditch diggers too” was a line made famous by Judge Smails in the 1980’s classic Caddyshack. His comment was made in response to a young man who stated that he wasn’t going to be able to go to college after high school because his parents couldn’t afford to send him. His impertinent reply reflects a prevalent opinion that working in the utility construction industry (ditch diggers) is not necessarily something that people chose to pursue, but are forced or defaulted into if they don’t get a college education. This is an idea that we desperately need to change. Recent studies have shown that the average utility worker in the U.S. is 50 years old and that the number of young people pursuing this as a career is diminishing. For this reason alone,

The utility worker is looking through the lens of his surveying equipment to read the grade and topography of the job site. This practice is very critical and requires a detailed oriented person to understand the coordinates and take the necessary measurements to map out the job site.

Georgia Contractor

students should be flocking to join the utility contracting industry. The recent growth in the economy has lead to more available work and a subsequent increase in utility construction hiring. Combine that with the aging workforce, students should realize that they could be getting valuable experience over the next few years to be poised to step into the management positions that will become available as the older workforce begins to retire. The lack of interest in utility contracting could also be attributed to the nature of the work. Historically, it has been a very tough, labor intensive line of work that requires combating the outdoor elements as well. However, technological advances in heavy equipment and construction techniques have greatly reduced the physical and emotional demands of this work. Employers are also focusing more on the care of their employees through greater benefits such as health care, 401k plans, and safety programs. Students that donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have an interest or means to attend college can have a very satisfying and rewarding career in the utility industry. A typical labor entry position requiring no experience can pay between $12 and $15 an hour. A motivated individual can progress to a supervisory position such as a foreman as quickly as three to five years with an annual salary of $50,000-$70,000 and a company furnished work truck. In a ten-15 year time frame, that same motivated individual could progress to a superintendent with a salary in the $80,000$100,000 range, all without a college degree! Students, I encourage you to earnestly consider the utility construction industry as a career choice. I started in this business 21 years ago at the age of 18 as a laborer working in the field. Over the past 21 years, I have been a laborer, project engineer, project manager, division manager, vice president, obtained a college degree and am currently co-owner of one of the best utility contracting companies in the southeast. v March | April 2016

Two excavators are working together to set a utility vault that will be part of larger utility system. This practice takes skilled operators who know the limits of the machine and job site soil conditions to ensure a safe work environment and also to be productive to meet deadlines.

The young man is leveling up the invert so that the utility system will work as engineered once complete. 37

World of HVAC Have you ever thought about how your home or school stays warm in the winter and cool in the summer? That is thanks to an industry called HVAC. HVAC stands for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning and refers to the systems and technologies used to condition the air—that is, keep it warm or cool and maintain humidity and air quality. The main goal of HVAC is to create the ideal environment for all types and sizes of buildings and vehicles. It all starts with well-engineered HVAC systems, such as boilers, furnaces, heat pumps, chillers, and condensers, just to name a few. Each one of these requires highly skilled and educated engineers, designers, drafters, craftsmen, and service technicians who are able to service the system from design and fabrication to installation and maintenance. Robust job demand, continuing education and training, and the opportunity for career growth are just a few of the many reasons to pursue a career in HVAC. This industry is especially well suited for those who are technically minded, enjoy problemsolving and are interested in working behind-the-scenes to make an impact in people’s everyday lives. Check out these pictures to see some typical HVAC work and see if it’s a right fit for you. Here is a look at the future of HVAC from Dave Tzimenatos, Field Operations Supervisor at McKenney’s and a member of the 2015-16 Board of Directors for the Construction Education Foundation of Georgia (CEFGA): Many of the HVAC systems still in use today have been around for over 150 years, not changing much in their basic operation. However, this has begun to change at a very rapid pace, thanks to a tremendous push to make these systems more energy efficient just in the last 15 years. We are seeing changes in the ways in which these systems are installed and serviced. 38

As an HVAC service professional, you will learn how to repair and maintain equipment of any size.

The installers, craftsmen, and service technicians in the HVAC field need to be well-educated, mechanically-inclined, and ready to work in all construction environments. There are many opportunities in the heating and air industry that many don’t think

about, but the opportunities are endless. Heating and air is a necessity, and with increasing demand on these systems to be more energy efficient, the HVAC industry will continue to grow and need new leaders to carry it on that journey. v Georgia Contractor

An HVAC installer learns to properly install all components of the system from beginning to end.

March | April 2016

World of welding By Daniel Simmons | Staff Writer Just a few miles west of I-75, about as close to the dead-center of Kennesaw as you can get, you’ll find something that stands out from the patchwork of suburbs that make up the rest of the city. Surrounded on all sides by neatly paddocked 1/4 acre backyards, strip malls, and 24-hour gyms there’s a sprawling landscape of hills framed by vast windowless walls of corrugated steel and miles of chain link fence, an atrium of industry in the heart of suburbia. There, flanked by a NAPA auto parts and an HVAC shop, you’ll find a small brick building bearing the large red and white sign that reads: ‘WELD LAND.’ The building behind that sign is home to Georgia Trade school (GTS), which, like the swath of industry that surrounds it, is largely overlooked and little-known by the locals. That’s because this post-secondary school offers something most people strangely don’t consider when they’re trying to decide what to do after high school: employable skills. Your average high school student plods his way from high school into college in the same way as he did from middle school to high schoo, as though it were the inevitable next step in an educational process that he’s got to get out of the way before he can enter the real world. If only these students knew that instead of spending four years in college and racking up an average of $64,000 in student loan debt only to graduate and find themselves in a workforce that doesn’t necessarily need them, they could have spent three months in training, come out with no debt, and started making $50,000 per year at age 19. This is where GTS comes in. For those relatively few who are aware of the incredible opportunities that await practitioners of skilled trades, GTS is there to help. As its moniker suggests, ‘Weld Land’ specializes in teaching welding but it doesn’t stop with teach40

ing. Not only does GTS bring its students from zero welding experience up to certified welder status, but they also partner with the country’s largest employers of welders to help ensure that their students graduate with a job, and with a 96 percent placement rate, it’s safe to say they’re doing a good job of it. About 20 percent of Georgia Trade School’s graduates go to work for a company called Ingalls, down on the Gulf Coast of Mississippi, building battleships for the U.S. Military. Beyond the great pay and huge opportu-

nities for overtime, this job also affords you the opportunity to live in a beautiful town on the gulf coast with gorgeous beaches and endless ways to have a good time with all that extra money you’re making. GTS graduates who would prefer to stay in-state have plenty of options as well. Caterpillar employs about ten percent of the school’s graduates and has factories in Athens and LaGrange. There’s also Trinity Industries, which makes rail cars and has a huge need for welders to help meet their massive production schedule, which is backordered by almost four years. And let’s not forget about the huge need for welders to work on Georgia’s new football stadium. Steel LLC, another GTS partner, employs graduates to weld the trusses of the new Falcons stadium. The list goes on but you can start to see the trend here: companies that hire welders really need there to be more welders to hire. Unlike a communications degree, a welding certificate will go a long way in making you employable. Despite these massive opportunities as well as the job security that comes with being a welder in a world full of baristas with liberal arts degrees, it’s hard to believe that trade schools like GTS have become something of a well-kept secret. But the fact of the matter is that if you’re willing to put a little bit of sweat equity into your résumé and break with the ill-informed trend of treating college as a necessary step towards adulthood, you can put yourself in a financial position that’s leagues beyond most of your peers. And if your college-bound friends ever hassle you about your decisions, you can always text them a picture of yourself on the beach at the gulf coast and ask them how finals are going. v Georgia Contractor

March | April 2016

Georgia Contractor

March | April 2016

World of landscaping landlovers wanted! High school graduation isn't that far away, and it's hard to imagine that after 12 years of being told which classes to take it’s time for you to decide where you’ll go next. So how exactly do you make that decision? A good place to start is to identify your skills and passions, and see if a career comes to mind that needs a person with those traits. When doing this, be sure to think ‘outside the box’ because many careers exist that you might not have considered. One of the career paths that you might not have considered is in the nursery, and landscape industry. Nursery, landscape, and garden industries offer many career opportunities for smart, passionate, and enthusiastic young people. Careers in this profession offer variety, flexibility, competitive pay, opportunities to grow, and overall job satisfaction. Do you think it could be a fit for you? If you have some of the following traits, a career in the nursery and landscape industry is definitely worth considering: Mathematical and analytical skills; environmental awareness; creativity; problem-solving skills; enthusiasm for design; technological savvy; love for the outdoors; an aspiration to help people; the desire to work with your hands; If several of these attributes describe you, you might be asking: "Why should I choose a career in the nursery and landscape industry?" • Jobs Galore. If you are interested in a skilled trade, employers in the nursery and landscape industry want you now! Many opportunities exist throughout the country, with positions available in every state. •

Make A Difference. Working in the nursery and landscape industry can give you tangible results and immediate satisfaction. Working in this field offers the

perfect opportunity to see something that you've created every day. •

•

Show Me The Money. A skilled nursery and landscape industry professional can make a good living - and the salary gets even better with experience! Salaries range from $26,000 - $60,000, and the opportunity to start your own business is high in this field. Enter Through Different Channels. You can enter the field with

a high school diploma, a college degree, or get on-the-job training from your employer. There are technical schools, colleges, and universities throughout the country that offer certificates and degrees for the nursery and landscape industry. What kind of jobs are there in this industry? When you step outside, virtually everything you see that isn't asphalt has been touched at some point by someone in the nursery and landscape Georgia Contractor

industry. However, the nursery and landscape industry professions aren't very familiar to most people, and therefore may not seem that exciting. How much do you know about these professions? I bet you know less than you think you do. Can you tell MYTH from FACT? MyTh #5: It's only digging in the dirt Not really. While it’s true that many jobs in this industry are hands-on, technology is a big part of the nursery and landscape industry. Not only that, but there are many occupations to choose from! You can choose a career path in construction, retail, arboriculture, landscape management, and more. MyTh #4: These jobs don't pay well Think again. You can earn a great living as a nursery and landscape industry professional! Wages may vary by region, but depending on which career path you choose, you could make

March | April 2016

more than $100,000 a year and even open your own business. MyTh #3: It's only a summer job - Not true. There are many career paths to follow once you enter the nursery and landscape industry—and the jobs are not just seasonal! You can get on-thejob training, earn a certificate or degree from a two- or four-year college, work your way up into management or even someday start your own business. MyTh #2: It's not a prestigious industry - Guess again. Consider if you became the head of landscape management at Sea World™, the White House, or the Mall of America™! Or maybe you will design a healing garden offering comfort to cancer patients at the local hospital. Perhaps you will create a treatment that stops pests (such as the Emerald Ash Borer) from killing hundreds of thousands of trees across the country. Those flowers that greet

visitors at Atlanta Jackson-Hartfield Airport had to be grown, planted, and cared for by someone, why not you? Maybe you will care for the sports turf at Georgia Tech’s Bobby Dodd Stadium or UGA’s Sanford Stadium. MyTh #1: It's a waste of an education Hardly. Many nursery and landscape careers require individuals with a strong academic foundation of literacy, chemistry, biology, mathematical and analytical skills, not to mention creativity, problem solving, coordination, and most importantly, passion! If you wish to move up into a management position, a two- or four-year college degree will be an advantage, but this is a field where smart, hard-working non-college educated students can thrive and develop their skills! Information from landlovers.org v

World of plumbing Can you imagine living in a house that didn’t have hot or cold water available whenever you wanted it? A shower or a toilet? Fortunately, all of these conveniences are part of your day to day life and everyone else’s. The plumbing industry is a basic and substantial part of every developed economy. Plumbers not only install all the devices and systems in new buildings and homes, they also are responsible for performing the maintenance to keep them up and running. Today’s jobs are highly technical and require a variety of skills such as analyzing and problem solving. Work segments include: • Commercial Construction • Residential New Construction • Multi Family Construction • Commercial Service • Residential Service You are taught the skill on the job working in the field with an experienced tradesman. Classroom instruction may or may not be part of your training. You do not need a four-year college degree to get started. The pay for this work is very good. The average technician can make more than $49,000 plus benefits a year, depending on years of service. Jobs in this field are in high demand and offer not only men but women a great opportunity. Career advancement for technicians includes promotion to techsavvy CAD and BIM operators and even management. Tech-savvy plumbers work in hospitals using. • Building Information Modeling (BIM) which is an intelligent 3D model-based process that equips architecture, engineering, and construction professionals with the insight and tools to more efficiently plan, design, construct, and manage buildings and infrastructure. 46

•

Medical Gas Piping

•

High Purity Piping

livered and installed at construction site. •

New Arenas and Entertainment Complexes are being built with the latest technology: See pictures. • Design build is where the plumbing company has on staff an employee who designs the building they contracted to build. •

Pre-Fabrication Construction – entire system is built in shop and de-

Grey Water Systems - In an effort to save water, plumbers now can install systems to reuse the gently used ‘grey’ water from sinks, showers, baths, and washing machines to flush toilets and irrigate crops.

For information on job openings visit the Plumbing Heating Cooling Contractors Association at www.phccga.org. v Georgia Contractor

March | April 2016

Georgia Contractor