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‘Fast Lane to Jobs’ Initiative Yielding Results

By Irwin Rapoport CEG CORRESPONDENT

The ongoing shortage of construction workers is affecting general contractors and subcontractors in many states. This is very much the situation for the membership of the Georgia Highway Construction Association (GHCA), which has the twin challenge of replacing an existing aging workforce, where retirements occur daily, all while seriously increasing the labor pool to meet the demand of increasing amount of work being asked for by the Georgia Department of Transportation, large cities such as Atlanta and by smaller counties.

The concern has been around for many years and the GHCA has participated in many initiatives with various partners. Four years ago, the association took the bull by the horns and started its “Fast Lane To Jobs” initiative and corresponding web page — www.georgiaroadjobs.com — to help turn the tide.

The web page features videos and interviews with construction workers, addresses many FAQs that people interested in a future in construction would ask, and has several see GHCA page 2

Proudly displayed with this Komatsu WA270 wheel loader are eight great reasons from the GHCA to work in the road construction industry.

Former Educator Making a Difference With C.W. Matthews Contracting Co.

By Irwin Rapoport CEG CORRESPONDENT

Photo: Jeremy Whitaker/C.W. Matthews

At Labelle Elementary School, Whitaker spoke to kids about the importance of getting career vision at a young age, and the students each got the opportunity to climb into the cab of a Caterpillar skid steer loader.

Jeremy Whitaker taught construction trades education for seven years at Kennesaw Mountain High School in Cobb County, Ga., before he was hired by C.W. Matthews Contracting Co. Inc. last June to promote the construction industry in elementary and high schools as a means to secure much-needed workers for an industry

that is experiencing a labor shortage.

His title with C.W. Matthews says it all — Recruitment & Development Manager — and this former teacher is taking his message to students and teachers across the state.

Whitaker recently sat down with Construction Equipment Guide for an interview to describe his efforts and the reception he’s received from prospective recruits.

CEG: How would you describe the success of the see Q&A page 8

Page 2 • May 6, 2020 • www.constructionequipmentguide.com • Georgia State Supplement • Construction Equipment Guide

GHCA Changing Narrative About Construction Careers

A view of the floor at a career expo held by the Construction Education Foundation of Georgia last year.

GHCA from page 1

key sections such as: Find Highway Construction Jobs in Georgia; Construction Jobs for Women; Find a Job That’s Right for You; Meet Real Workers; 8 Good Reasons to Work in Construction; and Take the Quiz – Is a Career in Construction Right For You? “For years we have been part of all kinds of employment taskforces and initiatives and nothing really got done,” said David Moellering, GHCA executive director. “We got to the point where all we wanted to do was a find a way to present our industry as an opportunity for anyone. The core basics to the web site is really connecting with the potential recruit or applicant and help them find where they can fit in and what their opportunities are going forward.

“When they see that, the next question is ‘How do I do this?’ and we give them the ability to connect with employers that are hiring today,” Moellering added. “The videos help folks envision themselves in a role and the opportunities to rise up through the ranks, including management. Many have come in with no experience in construction and are flourishing.”

The need for workers is paramount and many GCs in Georgia and the Carolinas have noted that projects can be affected by the availability of subcontractors, who are engaged in many projects and are also having trouble securing necessary labor.

Addressing Labor Shortage Is Complex “It’s not that we can’t find applicants, but we’re struggling

to find folks can complete the application process and make it to a job,” Moellering explained. “Unfortunately, we end up in a situation where many can’t pass a drug test or show up for work on time. If people can meet those requirements, we can train them and help them find a job.”

Early on, the GHCA noticed that the average applicant was someone in their mid-30s who would look to construction as a last resort after prior job experiences.

“What we’re doing now is spending a lot of time and effort in high schools and trying to get students interested in a career at an early age and into our system,” Moellering said. “Our goal is to help them become successful early in their careers instead of going into other industries where some may flounder along the way. We want kids that have an aptitude and interest in pursuing a construction career.

Many of our companies are working with local high schools to further develop relationships with the teachers and students participating in construction programs. We think it’s important to support construction programs in any way we can to see them flourish.

“There are plenty of jobs out there if you’re willing to do the work” he added. “We’re looking for men and women — we’re not turning anyone away. There are people retiring all the time and leaving the industry to go to another one, so jobs are opening up every day. Even now, when you think things would be slow, we’re still working every day.”

Filling out the questionnaire is the first step, and completed forms are sent to all the companies in the areas the applicant checks off. The GHCA’s web page divides the state of

Georgia into several geographic areas.

“They also have direct contact to the human resources directors of those companies — we make it really simple to get in touch with our companies,” Moellering stated. “We’re always looking for women that are interested in our industry.

We have a video that features Kate Rieling, who runs many jobs for Vertical Earth Inc., and she is fantastic. Women are just as capable as the men and we have a lot of women that are great leaders.

“This isn’t an industry that is just about a strong back anymore, it’s one that having an aptitude for electronics, GPS, IT and the internet is important. We have jobs with equipment, often heavy, that are highly computerized and use GPS systems for layout and other crucial aspects of modern-day construction, which continues to evolve. This is not your grandfather’s construction job site anymore.”

Construction offers a variety of well-paid jobs, that over time can lead to being promoted to superintendent, project manager and other upper management positions that cover estimating, scheduling, planning and purchasing materials and equipment.

“We have folks that have risen through the ranks with high school degrees to run multimillion-dollar companies, which is not uncommon in our industry,” Moellering said. “Formal training in construction is fantastic, and with it you are able to utilize that common sense, methods and abilities to organize, motivate and solve problems. It takes the individual a long way and you don’t have to go to college and come out see GHCA page 4

Construction Equipment Guide • Georgia State Supplement • www.constructionequipmentguide.com • May 6, 2020 • Page 3

Page 4 • May 6, 2020 • www.constructionequipmentguide.com • Georgia State Supplement • Construction Equipment Guide

Agencies Hope Outreach Boosts Construction Workforce GHCA from page 2

with a bunch of degrees. In many cases, our young recruits are making more than what their counterparts out of college are making and they have started on a solid career path.”

Outreach in High Schools a Positive About 160 high schools in Georgia have some type of construction program and one goal of the GHCA is to increase that number in order to access more potential recruits. Part of the outreach has representatives of contractors speaking with principals and teachers to develop programs and having executives, project managers and superintendents lecture in classrooms and assemblies. Sometimes schools have students participate in field trips to construction sites.

“It’s all about making connections,” Moellering stated. “Typically, these teachers are looking for content and interested in finding more aspects of construction that they could expose their students to. The other part is that you have teachers who say, ‘I feel this kid is a great fit for you, you should pursue him or her.’ This is invaluable because you get early feedback and a job reference. Several of our companies have offered kids jobs right out of high school. The real recruiting successes we’ve had are individual companies working with high school students.”

Efforts are ongoing to develop age-appropriate summer job internships for students that meet labor legislation while also ensuring their safety at all times. There also are initiatives to hire ex-military personnel and re-entry workers, which has the GHCA working with the prison system to develop re-entry programs.

“We’ve just scratched the surface here and it takes a lot of resources to really find people,” Moellering said. “We’re going at it in the most efficient way that we know.”

Several construction associations have been inspired by the web page and have contacted Moellering for ideas to help with their web sites and initiatives.

“As far as I know, we were the first association nation-wide to do anything like this back in 2015,” he said. “We couldn’t find any other way to connect with people to get them to work. We tell reps from other groups that this is the purest way to tap into and reach out to the work force.”

The GHCA also is working with the Construction Education Foundation of Georgia to develop and collaborate on programs and initiatives, which involve local high schools The GHCA also participates in local job fairs that includes bringing construction equipment and simulators, remote control equipment and lecturers, all with the purpose of engaging attendees. One of the fairs, typically held in March, usually attracts close to 10,000 people.

“Construction is tough work and we can’t change the conditions in which we work,” Moellering said.

“But you could change the environment and be very productive. The two can coexist and there’s a good living to be made if they want to do it.”  CEG

Construction companies across the state attend job fairs and career expos in an attempt to change the narrative about the viability of going into construction as opposed to attending college.

The Georgia Highway Construction Association participates in local job fairs that include bringing construction equipment and simulators, remote equipment and lecturers, all with the purpose of engaging attendees.

Construction Equipment Guide • Georgia State Supplement • www.constructionequipmentguide.com • May 6, 2020 • Page 5

Page 6 • May 6, 2020 • www.constructionequipmentguide.com • Georgia State Supplement • Construction Equipment Guide

Jefferson • Morgan • Pike • Warren • Burke • Lamar • Fannin • Walton • Fayette • McIntosh • Jenkins • Laurens • Lowndes • Coweta • Georgia...

Calhoun • Quitman • Glascock • Walker • Tattnall • Ben Hill • Colquitt • Lumpkin • Randolph • Oglethorpe • Columbia • Gilmer • Bryan • Effingham • Putnam • Murray •Peach • Jefferson • Morgan • Pike • Warren • Burke • Lamar • Fannin • Walton • Fayette • McIntosh • Jenkins • Laurens • Lowndes • Coweta • Calhoun • Quitman • Glascock • Walker • Tattnall • Ben Hill • Colquitt • Lumpkin • Randolph Jefferson • Morgan • Pike • Warren • Burke • Lamar • Fannin • Walton • Fayette • McIntosh • Jenkins • Laurens • Lowndes • Coweta • Calhoun •

‘Peach State’ Highway Project Bids

The Georgia State Department of Transportation received bids for transportation-related improvement projects.

Following is a list of some of the projects let.

County: Banks and Franklin Proposal Number: 001 - B1CBA1902002-0 Location: Various locations throughout the counties.

Project: Bridge rehabilitation.

Contractors and Bid Amounts: • Louis-Company LLC — $1,645,000 • Bridge Masters Construction LLC — $1,887,940 • Ram Construction Services Of Michigan Inc. — $2,007,028 • The Truesdell Corporation — $2,288,288 • Massana Construction Inc./Anatek, Inc. — $2,314,733 • The L. C. Whitford Company Inc. — $2,398,887 • Precision 2000 Inc. — $2,488,656 • Comanche Construction of Georgia LLC — $2,517,719 • Georgia Bridge and Concrete LLC — $2,596,588 • Southern Road & Bridge LLC — $3,325,082 Counties: Colquitt and Worth Proposal Number: 016 - B3CBA1901994-0 Location: On SR 256 beginning at the Colquitt County line and extending to SR 33 and beginning west of U.S. 319/SR 256 and extending to the Worth County line.

Project: 20.973 mi. of milling, plant mix resurfacing and shoulder rehabilitation.

Contractors and Bid Amounts: • Reames and Son Construction Company Inc. — $4,596,645 • The Scruggs Company — $4,850,211 • East Coast Asphalt LLC — $5,154,151 • Oxford Construction Company — $5,384,572 • Reeves Construction Company — $5,493,412 County: Dooly Proposal Number: 17 - B3CBA1901970-0 Location: On SR 230 beginning north of SR 27 and extending to SR 230 Conn.

Project: 9.847 mi. of milling, plant mix resurfacing and shoulder rehabilitation.

Contractors and Bid Amounts: • The Scruggs Company — $2,032,873 • Reeves Construction Company — $2,099,092 • Robinson Paving Company — $2,868,305 County: Cobb Proposal Number: 015 - B3CBA1902015-0 Location: Various locations throughout the county.

Project: Bridge rehabilitation.

Contractors and Bid Amounts: • S & D Industrial Painting Inc. $5,054,054 • Massana Construction Inc./Anatek Inc. — $5,100,094 • Elite Industrial Painting Inc. — $6,677,590 • Southern Road & Bridge LLC — $7,030,137 • M & J Construction Company of Pinellas County Inc.

— $8,269,603 • Cekra Inc. — $9,818,418 County: Laurens Proposal Number: 020 - B3CBA1901689-1 Location: On SR 257 at Waldrep Road/Pinehill Road.

Project: Construction of a roundabout.

Contractors and Bid Amounts: • Everett Dykes Grassing Company Inc. — $1,472,900 • Reeves Construction Company — $1,628,139 • McLendon Enterprises Inc. — $1,873,879 County: Laurens Proposal Number: 021 - B3CBA1901967-0 Location: On SR 19 beginning at the Wheeler County line and extending north of SR 29.

Project: 20.560 mi. of milling, plant mix resurfacing and shoulder rehabilitation.

Contractors and Bid Amounts: • Everett Dykes Grassing Company Inc. — $4,844,443 • Reeves Construction Company — $5,215,236 • East Coast Asphalt LLC — $5,229,342 County: Murray Proposal Number: 022 - B3CBA1901987-0 Location: On SR 2 beginning south of Dewberry Church Road/Hooker Road and extending north of Duvall Road.

Project: 3.847 mi. of milling and plant mix resurfacing.

Contractors and Bid Amounts: • Northwest Georgia Paving Inc. — $1,783,961 • C. W. Matthews Contracting Company Inc. —

$1,925,604 • Bartow Paving Company Inc. — $2,182,885 Counties: Cobb and Fulton Proposal Number: 006 - B1CBA1901964-0 Location: Various locations on I-285/SR 407 in Cobb and Fulton counties.

Project: Bridge rehabilitation.

Contractors and Bid Amounts: • Massana Construction Inc./Anatek Inc. — $1,725,940 • Comanche Construction of Georgia LLC — $1,992,516 • Gosalia Concrete Constructors Inc. — $2,247,633 • The L. C. Whitford Company Inc. — $2,378,887 • Bridge Masters Construction LLC — $2,741,637 • Southern Road & Bridge LLC — $2,910,657 • Georgia Bridge and Concrete LLC — $2,995,482 Counties: Bryan and Candler Proposal Number: 002 - B1CBA1902001-0 Location: Various locations throughout the counties.

Project: Bridge rehabilitation.

Contractors and Bid Amounts: • Seminole Equipment Inc. — $1,719,405 • S & D Industrial Painting Inc. — $1,944,332 • E & D Contracting Services Inc. — $1,978,120 • Olympus Painting Contractors Inc. — $2,005,995 • M & J Construction Company of Pinellas County Inc. — $2,392,148 • Southern Road & Bridge LLC — $3,279,653

Construction Equipment Guide • Georgia State Supplement • www.constructionequipmentguide.com • May 6, 2020 • Page 7

Atlanta, GA 404.469.7210 Birmingham, AL 205.841.6666 Madison, AL 256.350.0006 Mobile, AL 251.633.4020 Montgomery, AL 334.262.6642 Oxford, AL 256.832.5053 Tuscaloosa, AL 205.848.4147 Pensacola, FL 850.479.3004

Page 8 • May 6, 2020 • www.constructionequipmentguide.com • Georgia State Supplement • Construction Equipment Guide

Photo: Jeremy Whitaker/C.W. Matthews

Jeremy Whitaker taught construction trades education for seven years before he was hired by C.W. Matthews Contracting Co. Inc. to promote the construction industry in local elementary and high schools.

Never Too Early to Plant Seeds of Construction Education Q&A from page 1

Georgia Highway Construction Association and C.W. Matthews initiatives to recruit high school students into construction and how would you quantify them?

Whitaker: Right now, we are working with about 20 elementary, middle and high schools around the state to change the narrative. A career in construction is a great option after high school. As a former educator for 15 years, and with three college degrees myself, college is a great option, but that’s all it is — not the only option. Students have been told for too long that college is the only real option for a successful future after high school, and that’s just totally false. Because of this narrative, we are at a place where only 33 percent of students who start college actually finish, and our country alone has $1.5 trillion in student loan debt, which is more than all credit card debt in our country.

So, the 67 percent of students who start

college and don’t finish still have all this student loan debt to pay for, with no degree to help them earn a higher wage. The tide has to turn. Students need to know this reality and we need to share with them all the great career opportunities, not job opportunities, there’s a big difference, that await them in the construction industry. That’s what we are trying to do here at C.W. Matthews.

It’s never too early to plant the seed of what we offer to students. That’s why we are not only in high schools, but in middle and elementary schools as well. We want to open their eyes and give them a hands-on experience that will hopefully leave a long-term impression that they will remember for years to come. Schools need industry partnerships and we need them, so it just takes us reaching out and taking the time to build that ongoing relationship. We at C.W. Matthews want to be involved in what’s going on in the schools — not just at career fairs — because

that’s where the deep meaningful relationships are made. Also, that’s where parents get to know us.

Two ways that we are trying to be a blessing to schools and students is by offering Work Based Learning (WBL) and summer internship opportunities. Right now, we have seven WBL students around the state working for us. As a part of WBL, students go to school for half the day and come work for us the other half. This summer will be our first time to offer summer internships, but I’ve already began the interview process and have some good candidates. A summer intern must be a rising senior, 17-years old, have a driver’s license and most importantly, have a desire to go into construction after high school. So far, the WBL program has been a great success.

CEG: What are you hearing from students and parents?

Whitaker: When I go into schools, I see lots of students who are interested in work-

ing in construction and for C.W. Matthews, however, getting their parents on board is a different thing. Parents want what is best for their children, and most parents think that college is the best option. However, knowledge is power, and when parents don’t have the knowledge of the great opportunities for their children in construction, they don’t have the power to make the best decision for them. So as much as I can, I try to meet with parents to tell them of the paths to success and advancement in our industry so we can change the narrative that college is not the only option after high school. When I tell parents how much money their child can make, how we will train them while they are getting paid, and offer retirement and health benefits, it begins to turn some heads.

CEG: What are some of the inspiring moments that spur you on?

Whitaker: Oscar Simmons, a senior see Q&A page 8

Construction Equipment Guide • Georgia State Supplement • www.constructionequipmentguide.com • May 6, 2020 • Page 9

Page 10 • May 6, 2020 • www.constructionequipmentguide.com • Georgia State Supplement • Construction Equipment Guide

‘Roots to Fruits’ Builds Relationship With Schools, Students

Photo: Jeremy Whitaker/C.W. Matthews

“Tape Wars” is an educational game that Whitaker plays with high school students to help reinforce the tape measure training they get in his construction program.

Q&A from page 8

construction program student at Jones County High School in the Macon area, is one of my WBL students who now works at our Bolingbroke asphalt plant. He has done a phenomenal job, and because of his attitude and work ethic, he already has a career position lined up for himself after graduation. Oscar said he is very grateful for the work-based learning program, and construction class for giving him an opportunity to achieve his dream and find his career job. I’m so happy

that I played a part in him reaching his dreams.

CEG: Do you have a universal approach or are there separate pitches for boys and girls?

Whitaker: No, I give the same pitch to boys and girls. I have a poster I bring with me showing the faces of the high school students that I’ve recently hired, and I make sure I point out the female on there so girls will know that we are looking for them as well in our industry. Women are excelling in construction. We just have to work harder to over-

come the stereotype that construction is just for men.

CEG: What additional methods and actions could be taken to recruit more students and would federal and state financial support for construction and trades-oriented programs and initiatives help?

Whitaker: More support for high school construction programs would help a lot. This is where we find the majority of our candidates that have an aptitude for our line of work. If the programs are not available in the

high school, so many kids will just drift by with all that untapped potential being lost to us. If you want good fruits, you must focus on the roots. That is why we call our education initiative “Roots to Fruits.” Building relationships with schools, teachers, students and parents from an early stage prior to graduation is essential to changing the narrative from what it is today, to what it needs to be in that construction, specifically heavy highway construction, is a great career choice after high school.  CEG

Construction Equipment Guide • Georgia State Supplement • www.constructionequipmentguide.com • May 6, 2020 • Page 11

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Page 12 • May 6, 2020 • www.constructionequipmentguide.com • Georgia State Supplement • Construction Equipment Guide

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