Construction Ready

Construction Ready President & CEO Scott Shelar penned a guest op-ed that appears in today’s edition of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Scott makes the case that college isn’t a one-size-fits-all option for today’s youth, and that young men and women who pursue a career in the skilled trades can expect job security, competitive pay and no student debt.

It’s an important message—one that our team espouses every day as we seek to train and connect men and women for rewarding careers in the industry.

This week brought the first world leader planning meeting for our 2027 CareerEXPO. With the leaders of each construction industry “World” in the room, we learned that we had some 221 years of combined experience at CareerEXPO.

It was a great reminder of how much time, resources, planning and partner relationships go into making this event a success each year.

Visit https://constructionready.org/careerexpo/ to register as a guest or volunteer and be part of this monumental gathering for the next generation of the skilled trades.

Today was a great reminder of what happens when young people have the chance to pick up a tool, try something new and discover what they can build.

Construction Ready CEO Scott Shelar and COO John Wilhoite were proud to join The Home Depot associates at Boys & Girls Clubs of America to support the launch of Path to Pro Skills Explorers, a free, facilitator-led curriculum that helps youth ages 11-17 explore careers in the skilled trades through hands-on learning.

That’s Scott in the first photo here, with (from left) the Department of Education’s Barbara Wall and Georgia Superintendent of Schools Richard Woods, and the Home Depot’s Erin Izen.

We’re always excited about helping inspire the next generation of builders, makers and problem-solvers!

The Home Depot Foundation

THURSDAY THRIVERS: Meet Mary Williams, Construction Ready’s Career Coach and a graduate of our Pre-Apprenticeship training in Opelika, Alabama, in partnership with Goodwill Industries of the Southern Rivers.

With a professional background as a licensed professional counselor and career coach, and a lifelong interest in construction, Mary is excelling in a role that’s perfectly tailored to her expertise.

Experiencing the PA curriculum, she says, “kind of woke up that passion again, to want to learn more, and not only learn more, but also to be there as a conduit of encouragement, strength, coaching—navigating through things [with students] while they’re in the class.”

Read more about Mary in our latest Construction Ready Success Story at https://constructionready.org/story/mary-williams/

Some of the most important moments in workforce development are conversations between students and professionals already working in the industry.

This week 24 students began Pre-Apprenticeship training at our new Social Circle location, and team members from Rivian and Clayco stopped by to host a Lunch and Learn experience yesterday. Students came away with a better understanding of the job opportunities available through these companies—and a vision of what career success for them might look like.

We appreciate our partnership with Clayco, Rivian and the Construction Career Development Initiative (CCDI) as these students work toward getting trained, credentialed and ready to work.

Lakeview-Ft. Oglethorpe High School's Construction program is now Industry Certified.

Programs earning this distinction meet a high bar, aligning curriculum, industry standards, and hands-on learning so students graduate with real skills and real career pathways.

Behind every certification is an educator doing the hard work to build something meaningful for students.

Congratulations to Ryan Banks and the entire Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe community for helping students prepare for what comes next.

Because the future workforce isn’t theoretical. It’s being built in classrooms like this one.

The workforce pipeline starts long before the first job application. It starts in classrooms, career conversations, hands-on experiences, and with educators helping students connect what they're learning today with what they could become tomorrow.

When education and industry are connected, students gain something powerful: a clearer view of what's possible. And employers gain something just as important: a stronger future workforce.

Over the past year, Construction Ready has engaged with more than 200 construction companies, contractors, consultants, trade associations, educational institutions, and school systems. Because building the workforce means building the bridge between education and industry.

Questions about the Georgia PEACH Education Tax Credit? Good.

How does it work? Who qualifies? What does the process look like? How could participating affect your Georgia tax liability?

Bring your questions September 18.

Construction Ready’s Scott Shelar and Amanda Osborn will walk through the opportunity, explain the process, and leave plenty of time for conversation.

Because sometimes the question that creates clarity isn’t even yours. It’s the one someone else asks.

🗓️ Friday, September 18
🏢 In Person: Networking + Lunch at 11:00 a.m.
🍽️ Lunch & Learn: 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
🖥️ Virtual: 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

🔗 Register for the Lunch & Learn:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/RsvwLwPeSGSnXRzJ5boo-A

Your taxes. Your choice.

Lee Aurand-Hosey of Boilermakers Local 454 Chattanooga and Lance Daniel, Area Manager for Vulcan Industrial Contractors, recently visited Cedartown High School 30125 Instructor Matt Hayden’s Metals program to share about career opportunities.

Discussion topics included the shortage of skilled welders and the resultant “High Dollar-Blue Collar” workforce in this area. How high? Students have the potential to make $100K plus full benefits in their first year, right out of high school.

Thanks to these professionals for sharing their time and expertise, and to Matt Hayden for helping build the workforce of tomorrow through his outstanding program at Cedartown.