FUTURE WORKFORCE Innovation Highlighted by Support from Schools and Host Partners

Along with our regional contractors who serve as our host partners for the AGC Georgia Skills Challenges, we are consistently seeking innovative ways to expose the construction industry to more student competitors and student observers. In recent years, we’ve expanded the number of categories for which a student can show off his/ her talents, while also expanding the number of competitions offered in the statewide series. Skills Challenge host partners are not only motivated by the training and excitement around the various construction trades, but they are also benefiting from being introduced to their future workforce.

For example, West Laurens High School Construction Education Instructor Jeff H. Johnson brought eight student competitors and three student observers to the East Georgia Workforce Development Alliance’s Skills Challenge, which was hosted by partners RW Allen Construction and GoldMech.

Johnson said his program has seen a large increase in participation and in the quality of work the students do at those competitions since the alliance competitions began.

“Our local contractors, along with AGC Georgia, work with us to purchase some great tools that we give away to the winners in the trade competitions,” he said. “The relationships I have made with these contractors are so important to the success of my program and truly benefit the students I teach.”

Lee County High School Welding Instructor Boyd F. Delk brought 11 competitors and four observers to the Central Georgia & Southern Crescent Workforce Development Alliances’ Skills Challenge and won the Welding Cup. The Central Georgia & Southern Crescent host partners were Sheridan Construction, Tuggle Construction and Central Georgia Technical College.

Delk noted the AGC Georgia Skills Challenges gives his students exposure and the opportunity to speak with contractors or school representatives which may help inform them as to educational or potential job opportunities.

“Having spent many years in the construction field, I feel that AGC Georgia Skills Challenges give students additional experience while practicing their skills under pressure from other competitors,” he said. “It is, from a welding perspective, real exposure to the real-world expectations because welders, more often than not, have to test for their jobs.”

Roswell High School Construction Teacher and CTA Department Chair Dale Hales brought 15 student competitors and 15 student observers to the Northeast Georgia Workforce Development Alliance’s Skills Challenge and 15 student competitors and six student observers to the Metro Atlanta Workforce Development Alliance’s Skills Challenge. Roswell High School was the Overall Winner at both competitions. Carroll Daniel Construction was the host partner of the event in Northeast Georgia while Brasfield & Gorrie was the host partner of the Metro Atlanta Skills Challenge.

Hales said the Challenges and its host partners have found innovative ways to peak his students’ interest in the industry.

“The AGC Georgia Skills Challenges give my kids confidence in the classroom and exposure to the industry so they can have more options after high school,” Hales said. “It’s been a great thing for my program and has been a joy to be a part of, especially when you’re winning.”

Chattooga High School Construction Instructor Bengi Price took 10 student competitors to the Northwest Georgia Workforce Development Alliance’s Skills Challenge, where the school was named the Overall Winner. Duffey Southeast Construction was this event’s host partner.

Price echoed sentiments that AGC Georgia and its host partners are finding innovative ways to introduce his students to the professional side of the industry.

“Aside from giving my students an opportunity to complete, the AGC Georgia Skills Challenges also grant the students the opportunity to meet possible future employers while allowing them to demonstrate their obtained skills,” Price noted.

Lincoln County High School Metals Instructor Trey Holden brought 13 student competitors and about 25 student-observers that also included students from Lincoln County Middle School. Lincoln County High School was the East Georgia Workforce Development Alliance’s Skills Challenge Welding Cup Winner.

Holden said the innovation from AGC Georgia and its host partners allows his students to prepare for other competitions while also protecting his budget.

“These events don’t cost us a dime and they provide everything,” Holden said. “The observers get to come speak to people to try things out like the boom truck and excavators. Student competitors can use these events as a proving ground to hone their skills for our Georgia SkillsUSA state competitions.”

Camden County High School Construction Instructor and SkillsUSA

Advisor Carlos G. Jones Jr. brought 23 student competitors. His high school was the Construction Cup Winner at the Skills Challenges in Southeast Georgia, South+Southwest Georgia and the Central Georgia & Southern Crescent Skills Challenge. JCI Contractors and Tulsa Welding School were the host partners of the South+Southwest Skills Challenge, while ACE Electric, Choate Construction and West Construction Company were host partners at the Southeast Georgia Skills Challenge.

Jones finds the competitions and its host partners to be innovative because they grant students real-world experiences.

“Contests like the AGC Georgia Skills Challenges are the closest thing that students are going to get to working in the real world,” Jones said. “The students like meeting the contractors, being told that there are opportunities for them all over the state and truly like it when contractor representatives come around to see their work and offer a trick of the trade to help them refine their talents.”