The Associated General Contractors of Georgia (AGC Georgia) has partnered with Sheridan Construction, Tuggle Construction LLC and Central Georgia Technical College, to host construction students from 18-area high schools for the Central Georgia & Southern Crescent Workforce Development Alliances’ Skills Challenge. The competitions will be held on Oct. 28, beginning at 8:30 a.m. at CGTC (3300 Macon Tech Drive, Macon, Ga.). This event is one of seven regional events held throughout the state.

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

“Our team is proud to be a host contractor for this event with the support of many industry firms that are serving as sponsors,” said Christy Kovac, president and CEO of Sheridan Construction. “Beyond inspiring the competitors, we hope to educate students on the numerous career path opportunities available to them in the construction industry.”

In addition to 186 competitors who will participate in this event, another 134 students will attend as observers to learn the process in hopes of competing in future years. Local industry companies provide volunteer judges for each of the skills competitions, as well as the volunteers who offer hands-on activities for student observers. These activities help students become more familiar with specific construction trades.

“AGC Georgia is partnering with regional contractors to host Skills Challenges in seven cities around the state,” said AGC Georgia CEO Mike Dunham. “This series provides an opportunity for high school students to showcase what they’ve learned in the classroom and apply it through competition. It’s rewarding to have competitors’ parents, their construction teachers and school counselors, as well as academic and community leaders attend to see all the excitement surrounding today’s construction industry.”

Students from the following construction programs plan to compete in the Central Georgia & Southern Crescent Skills Challenge: Camden County High School, Crisp County High School, East Laurens High School, Griffin High School, Harris County High School, Houston County Career Academy, Hutchings College & Career Academy, Jackson High School, Jasper County High School, Jones County High School, Jordan Vocational High School College & Career Academy, Lee County High School, Mary Persons High School, Spalding High School,Statesboro High School, Thomson High School, West Laurens High School and Worth County High School.

This event also prepares students who go on to compete in the regional SkillsUSA event in January. Winners of that regional event will participate in the state SkillsUSA competition in late February at the Georgia World Congress Center.

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