
3 minute read
INCREASING AWARENESS OF CONSTRUCTION CAREERS
from Winter/Spring 2023
by agcgeorgia
2022 Skills Challenge Fast Facts
• 90 competing schools
• 1,065 student competitors
• 1,208 student observers
• $375,000 + in cash contributions year-over-year growth with more than 2,200 student competitors and student observers attending from 90 schools,” AGC Georgia CEO Mike Dunham said. ‘’The member and industry firms that provide seasoned professionals to serve as competition judges, develop hands-on exhibitor experiences and donate sponsorship dollars throughout the 501c3 foundation are at the core of how our indus-
The AGC Georgia Skills Challenge series continued to build upon the success of previous years in 2022 with growth in every significant metric. The seven annual events were held in Augusta (East Georgia), Gainesville (Northeast Georgia), Macon (Central Georgia), Marietta (Metro Atlanta), Moultrie (South + Southwest Georgia), Rome (Northwest Georgia) and Statesboro (Southeast Georgia).
AGC Georgia and its members believe that a strong workforce is representative of the communities in which it serves. As a way to grow participation from all segments of society, AGC Georgia has begun collecting voluntary data from the participants to follow trends in its Skills Challenge series attendance.
This year, 41 percent of all Skills Challenge series participants (com- or African American or other. Additionally, 13 percent of Skills Challenge series participants identified as female with 31 percent of them identifying as American Indian, Asian, Black or African American or other.
As a significant component of our statewide workforce development program, this year’s competitions were heavily covered by television, radio and print media and were well attended by hundreds of industry advocates including U.S. Rep. Barry Loudermilk, state legislators, school superintendents, high school counselors, mayors, school board members, and leaders from the Department of Education and Technical College System of Georgia.
The critical workforce shortage challenging our industry is a primary focus area for our association at both the state and national level. We continue to combat this shortage head on by supporting work-based learning with employment opportunities and increasing the number of students directly transitioning from high school to technical college.


The core competitions for the series were Carpentry, Electrical, Masonry, Plumbing, and Welding. Blueprint Reading, Fine Furniture/ Woodworking, Heavy Machinery Operation, HVAC/R, Roofing, Sheet Metal and other disciplines were offered at select Challenges. These competitions are among many of AGC Georgia’s initiatives utilized to directly align skills training with the job opportunities available from our member firms and other construction industry employers.
The annual events also helped prepare students for their regional SkillsUSA events that were held this past January. Winners of those events moved on to the state SkillsUSA competitions held in March at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta.
For more information about the AGC Georgia Skills Challenge series, including how your firm can sponsor, exhibit, judge competitions, donate materials and much more, please connect with Jenny Williams, AGC Georgia’s Director of Workforce Development at 678-298-4122 or jwilliams@agcga.org.

2023 Skills Challenges
BRIGHT FUTURE FOR 4-TIME SKILLS CHALLENGE WINNER
AGC Georgia recently spoke with Thomson High School senior Roydarius Hobbs about his experience competing in the 2022 AGC Georgia Skills Challenge series. As an experienced competitor, Hobbs has competed in five of the association’s Skills Challenge events, including four in the 2022 series where he earned first place in masonry at each. Hobbs also won his regional SkillsUSA competition and advanced to the state competition.


What excites you the most about the Skills Challenge events?
Hobbs: I am good at working with my mind and my hands, so I get excited at the Skills Challenge events when I look around and see other students trying to learn the same skills as me while we are competing against each other. Even though I’m working alone, there is a sense of accomplishment and togetherness that we all share.
What spiked your interest in learning about trades?
Hobbs: My father, James Hobbs, is involved in the trade industry. He’s a mason and can do anything you can do with a brick. I also like that when you go out to work on a project, you can learn a lot about different skills used in trade. One of the best things about the trades, and masonry, in particular, is that I can build something out of nothing to help somebody else.
What does your family think about you exploring this career path?
Hobbs: My family is very proud of me because I’m doing well at the challenges and trying to be successful. They know it’s an honorable career path that can provide a good life and lots of opportunities for me in the future.
Which of the association events did you win this year?
Hobbs: I won the masonry competition at the Macon, Statesboro, Moultrie and Augusta Skills Challenges. While I like to win, the best part is just knowing that I can build a quality product within the timeframe. There’s pride in good, hard work.
What is the most important lesson your construction teacher has taught you?
Hobbs: My teacher’s name is Coach Steven Whatley. The most important lesson he taught us is to do something that others won’t do. In other words, don’t be afraid of hard work because hard work will allow us to achieve things that others won’t.
What do you plan to do after high school?
Hobbs: My plans after high school are to get involved in the masonry field because it’s a difficult trade and not many people are trying to do it. There’s something special about building something out of nothing. Can you just imagine seeing an empty field and then being part of building a church where everyone can go worship? That’s what I want to do in life.