The Associated General Contractors of Georgia (AGC Georgia) is partnering with Sheridan Construction to host construction students from 19 high schools for the Central Georgia Workforce Development Alliance Skills Challenge. The competitions will be held on Thursday, Oct. 27, beginning at 8:30 a.m. at the Macon State Farmers Market (2055 Eisenhower Parkway). This event is one of seven regional events held throughout Georgia that will host 95 schools and over 2,000 students. 

Competitions at this Skills Challenge will be held in the following categories: blueprint reading, carpentry, electrical, masonry, plumbing, roofing and welding. 

“As the host contractor, our team understands the importance of the AGC Georgia Skills Challenge series to our construction industry,” Sheridan Construction President Christy Kovac said. “This is a great way for our company to help young people learn more about the numerous career paths within the construction industry while we also educate teachers, parents, school administrators, government officials and more at this incredible event.”

With over 200 students competing in the Central Georgia Skills Challenge, an additional several hundred students will observe in hopes of competing in the future. These students will also benefit from conversations with construction industry professionals who host interactive activities for students to become more familiar with specific construction trades.

“Every year, AGC Georgia is proud to host seven Skills Challenges alongside our member contractors,” AGC Georgia CEO Mike Dunham said. “These events provide high school students with the opportunity to showcase what they’ve learned in the classroom and apply it through real-life competitions. Contractors also enjoy participating because this is a tangible way to continue enhancing the industry's talent pipeline.”

Construction students from the following schools plan to compete in the Central Georgia Skills Challenge: Baldwin County High School, Crisp County High School, East Laurens High School, Griffin High School, Harris County High School, Henry County Academy for Advanced Studies, Houston County College and Career Academy, Hutchings College and Career Academy, Jackson High School, Jefferson County High School, Jones County High School, Jordan Vocational High School College and Career Academy, Mary Persons High School, Spalding High School, Thomas County Central High School, Thomson High School, Washington County High School, West Laurens High School and Wheeler County High School. 

Additionally, AGC Georgia’s Skills Challenges are a great primer for students who compete in their region’s SkillsUSA competition that will take place in January. Winners from those regional events then participate in the state SkillsUSA competition in late March at the Georgia World Congress Center.

For more information about Skills Challenges, please visit www.agcga.org/skills.