Georgia contractor Oct / Nov 2017 by A4 Inc.

Volume 13, Issue 4 October | November 2017

TAKE COMMAND OF YOUR FUTURE What does GEORGIA have to offer YOU?

Georgia Contractor

GEORGIA

CONTRACTOR

w w w. t h e g e o r g i a c o n t r a c t o r . c o m Editor-in-Chief: Roland Petersen-Frey Managing Editor: Daniel Simmons | (770) 521-8877 Art Director: Pamela Petersen-Frey | (770) 521-8877

The Georgia Contractor is published bi-monthly on a calendar year basis. It is a magazine designed around the construction industry associations and their members. It is supported by associations and their members. Executive, editorial, circulation, and advertising offices: 1154 Lower Birmingham Road, Canton, Georgia 30115 • Phone: (770) 521-8877 • Fax: (770) 521-0406 E-mail: rfrey@a4inc.com. Send address changes to your association and/or to A4 Inc. Opinions expressed by the authors are not necessarily those of any of the associations or publisher nor do they accept responsibility for errors of content or omissions and, as a matter of policy, neither do they endorse products or advertisements appearing herein. Parts of this magazine may be reproduced with the written consent of the publisher.

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On The Cover ~ This issue is dedicated to the young people of Georgia. We want to help lead Georgia’s high school students as they begin to think about their future careers. As you enter high school and start to think about your future profession, what possibilities come to mind? There’s a chance that you haven’t heard about all of the exciting things Georgia has to offer you. Who could know them all? There are so many! Georgia has many excellent colleges and universities, and with the HOPE scholarship, college can be really affordable. But did you know that there are also exciting, highly paid jobs for those who do not choose the college path? There are in-high-school programs that can start young men and women off into careers as soon as they graduate. There are other very exciting positions that work through co-operative programs between technical colleges and corporations. There are many positions that only require a two-year degree or specialized training program. Read on. Look at what’s waiting for you right here in your own backyard.v 3

CONTENTS 12

What does Georgia have to oﬀer you?

SkillsUSA to New Heights

My Experience as a Swaﬀord Employee

Electrical Lineworker

Wiregrass Tech is Preparing for Industry Needs

The Aggregate Business

Critical Soft Skills

32 34

Coloring Your Future Outside of theLines

IEC Apprentice of the Year

Taking Control of Your Future

OFTC Honors Supervisory Training Program Graduates & Completers

Electrical Job Opportunities Georgia Transportation Funding Act: Better Roads, Better Jobs South Georgia Technical College’s Aviation Maintenance Program

Georgia Contractor

34 ADVERTISEMENTS AECA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

INTI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

Elliott Electrical Supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Masonry Association . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

GEICC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Metro Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Georgia 811 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Back Cover

New South Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

Georgia Construction Aggregates Association. . . . . . . 7

South Georgia Tech . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

Georgia Highway Contractors . . . . . . Inside Front Cover

Technical College System of Georgia. . . . . . . . . . . 9 & 10

Georgia Urban Ag. Council . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

Urban Ag. Council . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

IEC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Wiregrass Tech . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

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Georgia Contractor

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What does GEORGIA have to offer you? By Pamela Petersen-Frey | A4 Inc.

o you are a young man or woman starting to think about your future. What does that look like to you after high school? Have you checked all of the career possibilities to search for the perfect fit? Some high school students already know that they want to go to a university for a BA or advanced degree because they have a passion for law or maybe medicine, but did you know that not all high-salary careers require four years of college? Let’s take a look at all that Georgia’s educational system has in place to put you on the path to your personal success. The key is to plan early in your high school experience. The Georgia Department of Education offers a huge range of career planning opportunities. They want you to start exploring those opportunities early, but it’s never too late to get on board. What are your choices? Let’s start with a few examples.

off making over $40,000 per year. What if you just don’t want to go to school beyond high school? You could train to become a Transportation Equipment Painter with a High School diploma and start by making over $40,000 per year. So you can choose four year’s of college, only two years of college, technical college, high school apprenticeship programs (learn while you are still in high school), or high-school-direct to employment (CEFGA-Approved). But all of these great jobs require planning and training, so make a plan early!

Your Choices pilots start at $88,000 and only need some college. There are many high school or registered apprenticeship programs related to aviation that are available to you, as well. Automotive Body and Related Repair workers start

Oh the possibilities!

REGISTERED APPRENTICESHIPS

Do you love being around the excitement at the busiest airport in the world? Yes, that would be Hartsfield Jackson transporting over 100 million passengers in 2017 to their domestic and international destinations daily. You could become a logistics manager after earning a Bachelor’s Degree and start your career earning $68,900 per year. Storage and Distribution Managers make over $77,000 annually with a B.A. But wait! Air traffic controllers make over $125,000 per year and you only need an Associate’s Degree! OK, so keeping planes from hitting each other may be too much for your nervous system, but commercial

(Union & Independent) • Atlanta Electrical Contractors Association • International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Union • Independent Electrical Contractors • Plumber, Pipeﬁtters & HVACR Technician Union & Mechanical Trades Institute • International Union of Elevator Constructors • Iron Workers Union • Bricklayers and Masons Union • Teamsters Union • Screen Actors Guild • American Federation of Television and Radio Artists

If you are someone who wants to go right to work after high school graduation, you might want to take a look at Georgia’s in-high school construction training program. You can sign up to take classes while you are still in high school to train for a professional career in construction. These programs are designed and registered through an organization called NCCER (National Center for Construction Education and Research). That means the classes you take are accredited and that the instructors are certified to teach you a curriculum for employment with construction companies. When you graduate with these qualifications, you can be confident that the construction industry will be on the look-out for young men and women with this NCCER, high-school certified training. Let’s go to work!

CEFGA CEFGA is the largest NCCER Accredited Training Organization in Georgia, with more than 70 accredited training Georgia Contractor

interested, attend CEFGA’s Career Expo in the spring and see up close how young high school men and women have trained in their construction field of interest: plumbing, electrical, masonry, framing, and many more career fields where you can put your unique skills to work making money. Be sure and check out the Career Expo. Over 7,000 people attended in 2016!

Healthcare

and education facilities throughout the state. Not only does CEFGA deliver direct construction training but it also offers placement services through its nationally recognized Construction Ready and CDL Ready programs. If you think you might be

Georgia has over 40,000 students in high school and middle school involved in Healthcare Science programs. These classes help prepare students for a career in healthcare. Being enrolled in these high school programs will get them well on their way to successfully passing national assessments, and many are earning industry validated credentials prior to leaving high school. This past school

ABOUT NCCER

ABOUT CEFGA

NCCER is a not-for-proﬁt 501(c)(3) education foundation created in 1996 as The National Center for Construction Education and Research. It was developed with the support of more than 125 construction CEOs and various association and academic leaders who united to revolutionize training for the construction industry. Sharing the common goal of developing a safe and productive workforce, these companies created a standardized training and credentialing program for the industry. This progressive program has evolved into curricula for more than 70 craft areas and a complete series of more than 70 assessments oﬀered in over 4,000 NCCERaccredited training and assessment locations across the United States. v

CEFGA is a 501(c)3 nonproﬁt organization, created in 1993 as the Construction Education Foundation of Georgia. We were founded by leading construction presidents and CEOs who recognized a need for quality construction skills training in Georgia. CEFGA is the largest NCCER Accredited Training Organization in the state, with more than 70 accredited training and education facilities throughout Georgia. More than 7,000 high school students receive NCCER training each year in our accredited programs throughout the state. CEFGA delivers direct construction training and placement services through its nationally recognized Construction Ready and CDL Ready Programs, currently oﬀered at two locations in metro Atlanta. These programs currently train and place more than 240 adult students each year. v

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WHAT IS SkillsUSA? SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers, and industry working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce. SkillsUSA is a Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO) representing 130 diﬀerent occupational areas of study. SkillsUSA complements technical training with leadership development, so members can learn about their chosen ﬁeld of study and about themselves. Industry is desperate for workers who graduate from high school or college ready to hit the ground running. Fantastic opportunities are out there, and SkillsUSA makes sure their young members are ready to take those opportunities. Each year, students look forward to the local and national SkillsUSA EXPO where students compete against their peers for industry recognition, tools and prizes, and scholarships for further education. Most of all, they gain precious experience that looks great on a résumé and gives participants a vital head start on the quest for success. Combining technical knowledge with leadership capabilities sets SkillsUSA members apart and gets them noticed. Find and develop your inner talent with SkillsUSA! v

year, students became Certified Nursing Assistants, Patient Care Technicians, Phlebotomists, Emergency Medical Responders, EKG Technicians, Pharmacy Techs, and Medical Office Assistants. Healthcare science students are also participating in HOSA, a career technical student organization. There, they can interact with other individuals who are also interested in the healthcare field and have the opportunity to learn leadership and teamwork skills through participation in these competitive events.

The Great Outdoors! Maybe you are somebody who loves to be outside with nature. The possibilities are as wide as the big blue sky! Georgia’s Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources pathway prepares high school students for the production, processing, marketing, distribution, fi-

nancing, and development of agricultural products and resources. You could choose the Equine Science Pathway, the Companion Animal Systems Pathway, the Veterinary Science Pathway, Forestry/Wildlife Systems Pathway or the Environmental Agriculture Systems Pathway. There are many more: Forest Mechanical Systems Pathway, Landscape Management Systems Pathway, and Plant and Floriculture Systems Pathway. That’s not even the whole list. Take a close look at the possibilities. You can gain valuable skills and knowledge while still in high school that will increase opportunities to earn industry-validated credentials before you even graduate. You can also receive help if you want to continue your program of study at one of Georgia’s excellent universities offering these unique programs. Straight from high school buyers and purchasing agents for farm products start to work at over $63,000 per year, and veterinarians make over $79,000 annually. Make money doing what you love!

Jobs, jobs, jobs Georgia is growing everywhere you look, and growing means construction. Roads have to be designed and built and buildings of all shapes and sizes have to be constructed. A lot goes in to building a home, an office building, or a skyscraper, but one thing is for sure: they all need electricity— lights to see by, electricity to power computers, and low voltage wiring for internet and high-speed telecommunications. The demand for trained electricians is high and the pay is outstanding. The best news is that the training is not only free but you get paid to learn! The AECA (Atlanta Electrical Contractors Association), the IBEW (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers), and IEC (Independent Electrical Contractors) all conduct Registered Apprenticeship

programs for the electrical profession. You can start your training with these approved programs as soon as you graduate, and you can get paid while you learn. Apprenticeship graduates

earn about $60,000 a year.

More About Registered Apprenticeship Programs Georgia offers young people a wide range of opportunities for career training through even more Registered Apprenticeship Programs. The Plumber, Pipefitters & HVACR Technical Union & Mechanical Trades Institute offer apprenticeship training, as does the International Union of Elevator Constructors, the Iron Workers Union,

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Bricklayers and Masons Union, the Teamsters Union, the Screen Actors Guild, and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists. The Georgia Department of Education can provide you with all the details and contact information that you need to get started with one of these terrific Registered Apprenticeship Programs so that you can start crafting the ca-

reer that fits your skills and lifestyle.

The Military is for ME! The Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (JROTC). JROTC offers the opportunity for high school students to enroll in a leadership/citizenship program coordinated under the umbrella of the Career, Technical and Agricultural Education Division of the Georgia Department of Education. Any three JROTC courses satisfy the requirements for a career pathway, and the JROTC curriculum satisfies national and Georgia Performance Standards (GPS) requirements. JROTC instructors in Georgia are required to secure a Georgia teaching “Permit” through the Professional Standards Commission in addition to their military credential. Georgia has its fair share of available units/programs; however, schools/systems should apply for a program in case expansion is accelerated. There is a JROTC proOctober | November 2017

gram for Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, and Navy. There is a State of Georgia JROTC Program Specialist at the GaDOE who can help you find out more about the application process.

Trade Schools for Perfecting Your Skills Many excellent trade schools offer you specialized training upon graduation from high school. Georgia Trade School trains students in structural plate and pipe welding with industry certifications in multiple welding processes and positions. Georgia Trade School receives online applause

GA DOE HAS 17 IN-HIGH SCHOOL CAREER PROGRAMS • Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources • Architecture and Construction • Arts, AV/Technology, and Communications • Business, Management, and Administration • Education and Training • Energy • Finance • Government and Public Administration • Health Science • Hospitality and Tourism • Human Services • Information Technology • Law, Public Safety, Corrections, and Security • Manufacturing • Marketing • Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics • Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics

for their excellent training and job placement. Check out their programs! AIM (Atlanta Institute of Maintenance) has an exciting program for aircraft maintenance training. Because the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) requires the strictest standards for training aviation professions, you can be sure that AIM training meets and exceeds those standards. AIM places their graduates with companies all over the world. Have you thought about working in the film industry? Georgia is now being called the “Hollywood of the East Coast,” so you know it is a growing and exciting field. Georgia Film Academy offers you hands-on experience on major film and television productions. So get in there and get professional training in the crafts of film-making! Move over Clint Eastwood!

What About Technical College? The TCSG offers programs in Business, Film, Personal/Public Services Technologies, Computer Information Systems (CIS), Healthcare and Nursing, Public Safety, Engineering Technology, Industrial Technological, and Transportation and Logistics. TCSG has a 99% job placement and college transfer record. Twelve high demand fields including computer technology, health sciences and early childhood education can be 100% tuition free through Georgia’s HOPE Career Grant. Dual enrollment is possible for an early start while you are still in high school. And many programs are offered on-line so that you can fit your education into your busy schedule.

I want to go to University Georgia has 127 public and private colleges serving over 340,000 fulltime students. The Hope Scholarship makes college affordable for every citizen of the state. Created in 1993 under the supervision of Georgia Gov15

ernor Zell Miller, the Hope Scholarship puts a four-year college degree in financial reach for over a quarter of a million of Georgiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s young citizens every year.

Wrapping it All UP While you are in high school in Georgia, you can begin putting your future career together. You can sign up for a dual enrollment program that puts you in Technical College or University classes even before you have graduated from high school. You can start your training through NCCER programs and CEFGA-certified training so that you can enter a great career in

construction as soon as you graduate. You can plan to attend one of the highly regarded Registered Apprenticeship Programs that Georgiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s high schools coordinate with AECA, IBEW, IEC, The Plumber, Pipefitters & HVACR Technical Union & Mechanical Trades Institute, the International Union of Elevator Constructors, the Iron Workers Union, Bricklayers and Masons Union, the Teamsters Union, the Screen Actors Guild, and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists. You can join the JROTC and enroll in leadership/citizenship programs to get your military career off to a strong start. Or you can

enter one of the recommended Trade Schools to put you on a direct path to great-paying and rewarding jobs. So take a close look at the many options you have as a high school student in this terrific state. Sit down with your parents and get their advice. Compare the training and educational investment for each path, and factor in your greatest career passions! Whatever appeals to you, whatever seems like just the right fit, grab it! Make it yours! And make a plan to take command of your own future! Oh, and remember this: Georgia really needs you!v

Georgia Contractor

State Colleges and Universities in Georgia • Georgia Institute of Technology • University of Georgia • Augusta University • Georgia State University • Georgia Southern University • Kennesaw State University • University of West Georgia • Valdosta State University • Albany State University • Armstrong State University • Clayton State University • Columbus State University • Fort Valley State University • Georgia College & State University • Georgia Southwestern State University • Middle Georgia State University • Savannah State University • University of North Georgia • Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College • Atlanta Metropolitan State College • Bainbridge State College • College of Coastal Georgia • Dalton State College • East Georgia State College • Georgia Gwinnett College • Georgia Highlands College • Gordon State College • South Georgia State College October | November 2017

Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Albany Technical College, Albany Athens Technical College, Athens Atlanta Technical College, Atlanta Augusta Technical College, Augusta Central Georgia Technical College, Macon Chattahoochee Technical College, Marietta Coastal Pines Technical College, Waycross Columbus Technical College, Columbus Georgia Northwestern Technical College, Rome Georgia Piedmont Technical College, Clarkston Gwinnett Technical College, Lawrenceville Lanier Technical College, Oakwood North Georgia Technical College, Clarkesville Oconee Fall Line Technical College, Sandersville Ogeechee Technical College, Statesboro Savannah Technical College, Savannah South Georgia Technical College, Americus Southeastern Technical College, Vidalia Southern Crescent Technical College, Griﬃn Southern Regional Technical College, Thomasville West Georgia Technical College, Waco Wiregrass Georgia Technical College, Valdosta

SkillsUSA Georgia to new heights By Tessa Jordan

n June of 2017, 157 SkillsUSA Georgia competitors took their skills to the next level at the National Leadership and Skills Conference in Louisville, Kentucky. Eightysix of those competitors earned Top Scorer Positions meaning they placed in the top 10 in their respective competitions. In order to make it to the national competition each year, students win at the Region Championships. Once

they excel through the region competition, they move onto the State Leadership and Skills Conference. There they put their skills to the test alongside students from all over the state where they are judged on industry-level standards. Only the ﬁrst-place winners are invited to compete at the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference. The National Leadership and Skills Conference was a culmination of young, bright minds coming together with one

common goal in mind—the coveted gold medallion. Fortunately, students are provided opportunities to earn scholarships to lighten the ﬁnancial strain of traveling out of state for competition. Mike Rowe, an advocate for SkillsUSA and CTE (Career and Technical Education,) sponsors a scholarship program through the MikeRoweWorks Foundation to help 5 competitors make it to National Competition. Of the winners of the scholarship, 5 were from

Georgia Contractor

Georgia. They are listed below. Adairsville High School – Carter Arrington, TeamWorks Competitor Adairsville High School – Jason Burdette, TeamWorks Competitor Adairsville High School – Hamilton Noggle, TeamWorks Competitor Adairsville High School – Jarrod Rollins, TeamWorks Competitor Lincoln County High School – Isabelle Linkous, Sheet Metal Competitor The Adairsville High School TeamWorks team placed 3rd out of 35 teams from across the nation. The members of the team are team captain Carter Arrington, the carpenter; Hamilton Noggle, the plumber; Jarrod Rollins, the mason and Jason Burdette, the electrician. These students went above and beyond preparing for nationals by practicing almost 24 hours each week after the school year ended, but their hard work doesn’t end there. The team participated in various projects in the comOctober | November 2017

munity in preparation for competition. In Louisville, the team was required to build an 8-by-8 kitchen that included a dishwasher, stove, microwave, refrigerator and sink. They only had two days to take on the task. Not only do these students take away valuable experience related to their pathway, they are also learning and putting to use careerready skills they have learned in SkillsUSA. Upon completion, members of the team presented the project to judges. At that time, they showed their organized plans for the project, and explained how they each took on a specific role and worked as a team to build a masterpiece. Lincoln County High School student Isabelle Linkous, another recipient of the Mike Rowe Scholarship, had a successful run at the National Leadership and Skills Conference. She took first place at the state level, then went on to represent Georgia at the National Level where she earned 10th place and a SkillPoint Certificate – meaning that she met industry standards in Sheet Metal Working. Isabelle is excited to be a part of an organization that molds

students into life-long learners who will lead the working world. Not only do these students excel on the competition floor, but they also exercise active membership by attending other SkillsUSA Georgia events in order to strengthen their leadership skills. By doing so, the SkillsUSA Framework of personal, workplace and technical skills has become the foundation of these students lives giving them the tools they need to excel even after graduating high school. SkillsUSA is centered around the framework of personal, workplace and technical skills that are grounded in academics. The framework illustrates how students fulfill the mission of SkillsUSA which is to “empower members to become world-class citizens.” Throughout the school year, students have opportunities to grow as leaders in their pathway area. Not only were these students ready to take on the competition floor, these students are ready to take on the challenge of becoming America’s skilled workforce. v 19

My experience as a Swofford employee What's it like to be a construction worker at 16 years old? ell, for me, it begins with a meager referral from my construction teacher; Chad Pruitt. There's a request for two unskilled laborers to chip the mortar off of the bricks to be reused from the old, Spalding High School and this job was to be filled by Bowen and I remember when I got the call from Bowen asking if I'd like to go see about a job offer that "had something to do with bricks.â&#x20AC;? So here I am, in my wood shop, dust covered, wondering how it was possible that a legitimate construction company would be calling us in hopes of hiring two kids. To say that I was skeptical is an understatement. Nonetheless I showed up with Bowen to the site and was greeted by a shaggy haired Colin Baker. Before I knew it we had finished the paperwork, been drug tested, and were starting the job. We chipped brick for a month or so, but to my surprise this same construction company wanted to keep us as part timers. Since then we've done more tasks than would fit in this paper; from sweeping to installing vapor barrier. I've learned how to operate a skid-steer, a basket (telescopic boom lift), and even a lull (telescopic forklift) to an extent. In addition to heavy equipment, we've learned a few things about handheld power tools as well. For instance, we've learned how to use a demo-saw, which operates similar to a chainsaw, and a hammer drill, just to name a few: It's now May and safe to say we're still learning the way construction works. This opportunity, as whole, has meant a ton in that while not only being my first job and first paycheck, it's also been a test of integrity as well

as being a series of interactions that'll help me throughout my life. I've met many people of many backgrounds and pasts, making me more open as a person and more understanding as a friend. With that in mind, I like to give a few thanks; to the people who presented the opportunity, the people who fulfilled the opportunity, and to the ones that made it enjoyable throughout. First, I'd like to thank Chad Pruitt; without his recommendation Swofford never would've thought to hire us nor would I have thought to ask. I'd also like to thank Joe Tuggle; for not only meeting with us and personally getting to know us, but for allowing us the opportunity to work locally and to acclimate to the job slowly.

Another thanks to my supervisors; both Ed Wright and Colin Baker were more than understanding with our lack of experience and taught us a wide array of things necessary to be successful on and off site. For instance, we learned that it wasn't mandatory that we stand in the rain and chip brick, in fact "Even a chicken, with a brain the size of a peanut, knows better than to stand out in the rain" and the true meaning of ambition thanks to Colin. Last but not least, I want to thank Kenneth Swofford; it was your company that presented me with my first paycheck (consequently my first 59 hour week), my first job, and a wide range of people whose expertise and guidance will most certainly become factors in the decisions I make in the future.v

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Thanks again,

Joseph Watkins v

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Electrical Lineworker By Coastal Pines Technical College | Waycross, Georgia

he Electrical Lineworker Technical Certificate of Credit Program at Coastal Pines Technical College (CPTC) is taught in Waycross, Georgia. The program started with cooperation and input from statewide utility companies who wanted to increase the opportunities for people to enter the linework field.

GENERAL FEATURES: The program includes four components: Organizational principles, workplace skills, automation skills and occupational skills. The Electrical Lineworker certificate is offered to eligible students twice every semester on the Waycross Campus. The entire certificate program, which is completed in 8 weeks, consists of four, three (3) hour credit, courses for twelve credit hours. At the conclusion of the coursework, students are eligible to participate in a one-week Electrical Lineworker observation. Observation week enables the student to work on an active linework crew for a true practical work experience. The final stage of the training is for the student to complete the Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) testing. Skills obtained in this certificate program include:

• • • • • • • •

Safety Maintenance techniques Communication skills Work ethic skills Resume writing/job interviewing Team building skills Problem solving processes Basic Electrical fundamentals

• • • • • • • •

Linework hand and power tools Hydraulic and pneumatic systems Blueprint reading Ratio/proportions Various general linework skills Lineman simulations Observations based instruction CDL Training/Testing

Information may be obtained from Coastal Pines Technical College by visiting the website at: , contacting the college at 1-877-332-8682 or contacting Jason Strickland, Dean for Academic Affairs, Technical & Industrial Programs, at 912.285.6106 or jstrickland@coastalpines.edu. 22

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OPERATION The first two weeks of the program are spent providing face-to-face classroom instruction on the organizational principles and workplace skills of linework. The students receive extensive electrical safety, mechanical abilities, communication, teamwork, work ethic and best practices training in the classroom. The remaining weeks are comprised of field experience including the use of hand tools, power tools, hydraulics, pneumatics, electrical fundamentals, blueprint reading, CDL training and linework simulations. Coastal Pines Technical College has constructed a linework simulation field where students spend time learning linework skills including how to properly climb various types of utility poles, install anchors, use fall restraints, frame a pole, making compression connections, overheard transformers, knots/splices, installation of underground cabling, H-frame connection and sleeve connections. Students receive hands-on experience in the use of a backhoe, bucket truck, line digger truck and a ditch witch. The Commercial Truck Driverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s portion includes 25 hours of truck driving field training. This training prepares the students for the CDL graduation requirement. Competencies include pre-trip inspection, safety training, maneuvering bucket trucks and pole trailers by learning to back and parallel park. Road driving skills are taught along with the necessary safety precautions of checking and grounding the linework vehicles and equipment. PROGRAM APPLICATION Eligible students must meet the standard diploma/certificate level entrance requirements that are established by the Technical College System of Georgia. Applicants are also required to obtain the Georgia CDL Class A Permit with general knowledge, air brake and combination vehicle endorsements. The Electrical Lineworker Certificate Program is offered to students every term. Tuition, fees and books for this technical certificate are eligible for the Georgia HOPE Grant. v

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Wiregrass Tech is preparing for industry needs n the 1990s, there was a huge push for high school and college students to consider Health Occupation careers with the growing number of the baby boomer generation getting older. Now, Manufacturing and Construction industries are feeling the effects of an aging population. Wiregrass Georgia Technical College works closely with industries and businesses in the eleven counties it serves in South Georgia. A common theme among each of those industries is the increasing need for trained graduates to replace the retiring baby boomers in industrial fields. Since most of those retiring have held on to these good paying and secure jobs for twenty plus years, the need for training their replacements has gone unnoticed for decades. One of those fields now in high-demand is Machine Tool Technology.

Wiregrass is answering the call for more trained workers in the Machine Tool field. 24

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Wiregrass is investing over $200,000 in brand new technology that will allow students to learn on the latest technology in the field.

October | November 2017

Wiregrass Tech’s Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs Brandy Wilkes shared, “To answer the need for our industries, Wiregrass has purchased the latest technology equipment in Machine Tool costing over $200,000. The program will be getting a 5-Axis Mill and a Y-Axis Lathe.” This brand new technology will allow Wiregrass to introduce students to the latest in technology in the field. “We are excited to be able expand this program to the Coffee Campus, located in Douglas, to better serve the needs of our businesses and industries,” said Wilkes. The program is also offered at the college’s Valdosta campus. With the program starting Spring Semester 2018 on the Coffee Campus, a new Basic Machinist Technical Certificate has been added to the college’s curriculum so that students in Dual Enrollment classes can take advantage of this opportunity at Coffee County School System’s Wiregrass Regional College and Career Academy located on the Coffee Campus of Wiregrass. This certificate program is also offered 26

to dual enrollment students on the Valdosta Campus. If asked to describe what machine tool technology is, one could respond by stating it is the process for creating the parts necessary to make almost anything work. Open any device and you will find a number of parts that cause the device to operate and were made by a process found in machine tool technology. Students will learn the skills to make, test, and repair precision parts from blueprints and other specifications. Wiregrass offers the program as a diploma or degree. Machine Tool also qualifies for the Georgia HOPE Career Grant. If students qualify for the Georgia HOPE or Zell Miller Grant, they qualify for Career Grant which provides additional monies that covers tuition, books and/or fees leaving graduates with little or no college debt. The HOPE Career Grant is only offered on programs that Georgia leadership has identified as being in high demand. Graduates of the program can look to start off making between $12

to $18 an hour. Wiregrass Machine Tool Instructor Darron Lanier added, “We are in contact with large companies that are needing machine toolist to make parts from cars to drill blushing. Graduates can find jobs anywhere in the United States after completing this course.” The associate degree program takes approximately two years to complete and has a 100% infield job placement rate. The diploma and certificate programs range from a two semesters to a year to complete. It’s time for students to consider careers in Industrial and Technical fields. “Students, high school age, college age and non-traditional now have such an awesome opportunity with this program. Once they learn the skills they are being recruited for great paying jobs with benefit packages and more,” shared Wilkes. To learn more about Machine Tool and other programs offered by Wiregrass Tech, visit Wiregrass.edu. The college will be accepting new students for Spring Semester which starts January 9, 2018.v Georgia Contractor

October | November 2017

The aggregate business he aggregates industry offers a broad array of both practical and professional job opportunities. Some of the skilled positions located at the quarries include plant managers, foremen, haul truck operators, front-end loader operators, drillers, quality control technicians, welders, and mechanics. Typically, these jobs require a limited amount of formal education and/or training. Pay for these positions can start at $15 per hour or more. Administrative and staff positions are also an important part of the aggregates industry, providing support and guidance at the district and division level. These professional opportunities include upper management, engineering, sales and marketing, finance and accounting, human resources, safety management, and administrative support staff. These positions typically require several years of prior experience and/or a college degree. As such, pay will be commensurate with experience and job responsibilities. v

Water trucks - are utilized frequently at quarry locations to minimize dust in the atmosphere. This ensures good community relations and environmental compliance.

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Haul trucks (above & below)- that can transport upwards of 40 tons of material travel along the haul road to the processing plant for crushing.

Pit loaders (left) - After rock is extracted from the pit, pit loaders (right) load aggregate material into haul trucks (left). The material is then transported to the crusher for processing. After material is sized appropriately in the plant, it is sold for use in asphalt, cement, etc. October | November 2017

Critical soft skills By Jonathan D. Sullivan, M.Ed. | Quality Enhancement Plan Director at Savannah Technical College

or the past century, employers have been emphasizing the value of soft skills in their organizations. According to the National Soft Skills Association, research conducted by Harvard University, the Carnegie Foundation, and the Stanford Research Center has concluded that 85% of job success comes from having well developed soft skills and people skills while only 15% of job success comes from technical skills and knowledge. Until recently, however, this important fact has been mostly ignored by institutions of secondary and higher education. A reason for this may be one of the challenging questions educators and administrators have been grappling with: “Whose job is it to teach our students the critical soft skills they need in order to be successful in the workplace?” Are these skills that should be acquired at home, from middle or high school, college, or all three perhaps? While opinions still differ on whose responsibility it is, it appears that higher education is taking the lead role in addressing the soft skills gap we currently face in the US. In recent years, colleges, universities, and career training centers have been making a strong push to incorporate soft skills training into curriculum in order to meet employer’s demands. National and regional studies indicate employers suggest that candidates lack critical thinking skills; at the same time, they are noticing a lack of general employability skills. Employers consistently claim that high school graduates are deficient in, among other skills, critical thinking, professionalism, and work ethics. Employers recognize that these skills are essential for success in a 21st-century global economy. Employers place a high premium on employees’ ability to communicate effectively, think critically, problem solve, adapt, and work as part of a team. This leaves institutions of higher learning, especially career focused institutions such as Savannah Technical College, in a unique position. But the question remains: how should colleges and universities go about teaching students important soft skills like attitude, communication, teamwork, and professionalism? There is an abundance of literature that attempts to answer this question. According to researchers at Savannah Technical College, however, many approaches are too paternalistic and infantilize the studentteacher relationship. Moreover, it is not enough to simply tell students that they need to demonstrate a sound range of soft skills in order to secure a job and keep it. Students must be able to discern for themselves which attitudes and behaviors are acceptable and desired in the workplace and be able to navigate the social, political, and emotional nuances of a company or business in a way that positions them for career success. Teaching students to distinguish these acceptable habits and behaviors requires them to learn how to think critically about the way they think and act. What is critical thinking? It is the ability to evaluate sources, data, facts, and observations in the workplace in a way that results in making reasonable, logical, and informed judgments. In other words, critical thinking is the key that unlocks all doors. It is the discipline that brings all other disciplines together. While education and experience make one eligible to apply for a job, to be successful in the role, a mix of soft skills is critical. Without a doubt, soft skills are the single biggest success indicator of personal and professional success. v

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Photos by Mr. Stephen Morton All photos depicting students at Savannah Tech instructional lab. October | November 2017

Electrical job opportunities By Atlanta Electrical Contractors Association

he world of electrical work is so diverse. There are many doors of opportunity for you to walk through. It’s not just about digging ditches, pulling wires, and twisting nuts. There is so much more. Although you may start out as an electrician apprentice making in the low $20,00s, in a very short five years you will shoot up to over $60,000 per year. And that’s just the beginning of the story. You can grow into so many other career paths: Estimator, Project Manager, Safety Director, Superintendent, Owner/Entrepreneur, and many more.

You can find yourself working on a skyscraper, a hotel, a stadium, an airport, a mall, or a hospital—to name a few different locations. And the best part – 10 or 15 years later you’ll be driving down the road telling your children I helped build that! v

Project: Zoo Atlanta Reptile Complex Description: A brand new state-of-theart reptile facility for Zoo Atlanta. Manpower: 4-8 Men Duration: 24 Months Cost: 1.4 Million Different Tasks: Worked with exhibit building experts and zoo curators to meet all the specific requirements for multiple reptile species housed at Zoo Atlanta.

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Project: Solis Hotel Description: This design/build project began in December of 2015 and construction will be completed in September of 2017. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s located adjacent to the North American Porsche Headquarters in Hapeville, Georgia. This hotel consists of 8 stories with 214 guestrooms and suites. It also features event spaces, a rooftop bar and a fully equipped restaurant. Manpower: Up to 36 men Duration: 21 Months for design and build Cost: 2.5 Million Different Tasks: Collaborated with the local design team along with interior designers from Germany. October | November 2017

Georgia Transportation Funding Act: Better roads, better jobs t has been almost two years since HB170 passed and, by this point, most people in the transportation industry are generally aware of the changes that it brought. In exchange for a modest tax increase on the sale of gasoline, an additional hotel / motel tax, and the removal of the electric vehicle tax credit, the state of Georgiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s transportation budget has been increased by over a billion dollars. But, since this legislation passed in 2015, how have these changes materialized? Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s one thing to say that the additional revenue from the measures mentioned above will increase the budget by x amount but now that the taxes have been collected, how is all of this actually playing out?

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October | November 2017

One exciting result is the monthly value of contracts being put up for bid by the GDOT. Now that they have more money to spend they’re putting it to use by ramping up the number and scope of projects going to bid every month. Since the passing of HB170 the total monthly value of new project lettings from the DOT has nearly doubled; from $80 - $90 million/month to an average of $150 million/month. This not only includes new road construction and maintenance but also auxiliary services like mowing and edging, fixing guard rails, bridge repair, and sign repair. The increase in spending across this broad spectrum of services spells good news for road and highway contractors as well as anyone looking for a job in the industry. The uptick in business for Georgia’s highway contractors has sent them scrambling for new employees to help keep up with the pace. After all, what good is all this new opportunity if you’re still staffed for a 2015sized budget? Not only are job boards filling up with new postings for skilled

and unskilled road workers, but the Georgia Highway Contractors Association has launched an entire Web

site dedicated to educating people about the new job opportunities that await them in the highway construction business. The Web site (georgiaroadjobs.com) provides information about the diﬀerent types of jobs that are available, informational videos and articles about the nature of the work, as well as contact information for many of the contractors throughout the state who are looking to hire. Construction, especially road construction, is an often overlooked career path that can provide an astonishing amount of opportunity for anyone who pursues it. As more and more high school graduates are heading straight to college and earning four-year degrees in hopes of landing a white collar job, the labor market in blue collar occupations is shrinking and, naturally, employers are forced to bump up the compensation oﬀered Georgia Contractor

for such positions in order to attract talent. With the recent changes in Georgia’s transportation budget, road construction jobs are more plentiful and a more attractive option than ever. They are jobs with real staying power, earning potential, opportunity for advancement and the industry is only going to grow in the coming years. Below, we have included some more information about the types of positions that are available and we encourage you to spread the word to friends and family who may be interested. v

Salary and job description information taken from payscale.com

Job: Flagger Pay: $20k - $34k Description: Most drivers and commuters are likely to have seen a flagger on the job. These are the personnel who control vehicle-traffic to create a safe environment for construction/repair projects, such as those involving roadways or parking lots. Flaggers help notify drivers of the needs for reduced speeds or restricted lane flow; as such, they play key roles in creating and maintaining safe construction sites. Job: Laborer Pay: $21k - $55k Description: A construction laborer works with their hands in a variety of construction work. Some of their tasks include digging holes, ditches, and trenches; mixing concrete; painting and plastering; and installing drywall. They help to build and maintain buildings and infrastructure such as roads and highways. They also set up and clean up work sites. Construction laborers work in a variety of settings. Some work outdoors, while others work indoors, at great heights, or underground. Construction workers typically work a standard 40-hour week, although may also experience production halts due to dangerous weather. Job: Heavy Equipment Operator Pay: $30k - $74k Description: A heavy equipment operator is a construction worker who is specifically tasked with the safe and efficient operations of heavy machinery, October | November 2017

such as loaders, dump trucks, backhoes, and graders. The heavy equipment operator ensures that the machinery he or she is about to use is in good working order, and then follows all relevant procedures and protocols while using it. The operator may be asked to provide input into the way some equipment is used on a site, and is required to report any noticed anomalies in operation to a construction manager or equipment repair foreperson. The operator also typically assists with any loading or unloading of the equipment from ﬂatbed trucks or trains. Job: Foreman Pay: $35k - $83k Description: A construction foreperson supervises a construction crew. The construction may relate to the erection or repair of a building or and an infrastructure, such as a bridge. The foreperson will schedule work for the crew and may also be responsible for making proposals and obtaining new jobs. The foreperson will be expected to have construction experience. The foreperson will need to assist the crew wherever help is needed, including carrying out hard labor. The abilities to work in extreme temperatures, to work with hand and power tools, to stand and walk for a long period of time, and to lift heavy objects are essential. The foreperson may also work with designers and architects, in order to create blueprints and diagrams. 37

South Georgia Technical Collegeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Aviation Maintenance Program helps students take command of their future outh Georgia Technical College (SGTC) in Americus, is Georgiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s oldest aviation maintenance school and its rich history makes it one of the best training facilities in the United States. SGTC has been ranked as one of the best community colleges in Georgia by three different organizations for 2017 and is one of only two technical colleges in Georgia with on-campus housing. Today, South Georgia Technical College offers Aviation Maintenance Technology, Avionics Technology, and Aircraft Structural Technology programs. The programs last from four to six semesters. South Georgia Technical College is also a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approved training and testing site. All SGTC aviation students have the opportunity to take the FAA Airframe and Powerplant license exams upon graduation. South Georgia Technical College aviation graduates can work anywhere in the United States with an FAA Airframe and Powerplant license. South Georgia Technical College Aviation graduates are employed by Gulfstream Aerospace, the Warner Robins Air Force Base, Delta, Southwest, Thursh, Pratt and Whitney, Lockheed Martin, Cessna, Maule, and other companies. Approximately 100 students are currently enrolled in these aviation related programs. Financial aid such as the Hope Grant and Pell grant are available to help offset tuition and oncampus housing costs. Thousands of students have graduated from these

SGTC Aviation Maintenance Instructor Victoria Herron (left) is shown above with two students working on a Gulfstream G2 Airplane that is used by students to gain hands-on experience.

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programs in the past 68 years. Over the last five years, between 10% to 30% of the collegeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s aviation graduates each year were females. For more information about South Georgia Technical College visit the SGTC Web site at: www.southgatech.edu. The college also offers over 200 different associate degree, diploma, and technical certificate of credit educational programs that help students take command of their future. It depends on whether they work for a major company or a smaller outfit. I do know that Delta came in last week and most of the A & P mechanics are making six figures within seven years. So I would say over $50, 000 to start. v

A South Georgia Technical College Aviation Maintenance student is shown above checking an engine.

A South Georgia Technical College Avionics student is shown in the cockpit of SGTCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Gulfstream G2 checking out the instrumentation. October | November 2017

Coloring your future, outside of the lines A meditation on self-reliance

By Ryan Boling | Training Manager | HB NEXT

hen faced with adversity or preparing to make tough choices in life, many of us have grown up hearing, whether from a friend, colleague, relative, or other authoritative figure, the old idiom of ‘taking the bull by the horns.’

Personally, I have never regarded this as bad advice. It is human nature to procrastinate or avoid dealing with that which makes us uncomfortable. I have found (more often than not) that it is generally better to confront problems directly, as opposed to letting them linger. Problems seldom self-correct. Invariably, in life, we all encounter hard times, difficult decisions, and dilemmas, for 40

which there are no simple, quick, or comfortable solutions. By taking the bull by the horns, we face these difficulties head-on; casting aside our fears, uncertainties and doubt, to gain control of a situation, reach a desired outcome or, to simply obtain closure on an issue. Metaphorically speaking, anyone with two hands (and a lot of courage) can grab the ‘bull’s horns’; but, what good is having a grip on the horns, when you have little or no idea about what direction to take the bull in next? I have never regarded taking the bull by the horns as bad advice; however, I do regard it as being slightly incomplete advice. Perhaps the saying should read, “take the bull by the horns, then take the bull in whatever direction you want.” The key word here, being you. Grabbing the horns is

merely a first step, equivalent to making a personal decision. Once an obstacle has been identified, a decision must be made, by you, to either avoid that obstacle or overcome it, right? If a goal has been identified, you may have plenty of support along the way; but, it is primarily up to you, to see that goal realized. Do you see a pattern beginning to form here? Often times, our education and career choices represent the ‘bull’ early in our lives: large, sometimes scary decisions with life-altering repercussions… In many cases, these choices are enveloped by circumstances which, like the bull, are largely out of our control. So much of what happens for many of us in our adult lives—be it good, bad, Georgia Contractor

or in between—can be connected to the personal choices we make around our education and our careers. So, who can you depend on, to ensure your dreams and the goals you make for your life, come to fruition? Family, educators and mentors for many of us, are right there to help us in life when we fall short, or when it feels like we have fallen down completely; but, not always, not forever, and certainly, not for everyone. Failure and adversity are familiar -and often, far less accommodatingpit stops along the road to success. Eventually, achieving your goals will have to become important enough to you, to where you abandon your fear of failure, falling short, falling down, or disappointing those people who support you. It’s perfectly okay to fall 10 times; as long as you don’t pick yourself up only nine times. In the 1800s, Abraham Lincoln lost several elections running for Congress, the Senate, and the Vice Presidency, before eventually becoming President of the United States. It took Thomas Edison literally a thousand failed attempts, before his successful invention of the light bulb. Multibillionaire Richard Branson suffered from dyslexia as a child and had nearly a dozen failed business ventures in his career. Walt Disney filed for bankruptcy multiple times prior to building Disneyland. And the universal themes present in these iconic stories of success? Failure; and the determination to continue towards personal goals when repeatedly faced with failure. Sometimes, you may feel like you are the only person in the world that supports and believes in your dreams; and that’s okay. It can be difficult at times, to maintain the encouragement and motivation to keep trying. You may fall short of achieving your goals several times; and you may get told several more times, to give up. Stop October | November 2017

wasting your time… Stop wasting your money…. Stop wasting your energy... It’s too difficult… You’ll never make it... Now, this is not to say that you should ignore good advice when it’s offered. There is a legitimate school of thought, suggesting that continually doing something the same way, while expecting different results, defines insanity. Your goals and plans for your future may not align perfectly with what your parents had hoped for, what your school guidance counselor suggests, or, what conventional wisdom suggests they should be. I was supposed to be a doctor. Then, a starting pitcher for a professional baseball team. As a young adult, after having lost interest in medical science and realizing at the time, that I lacked the work ethic required to become a pro athlete, I sought the approval of my parents by following in my father’s footsteps as a Technology professional. While that career decision did please my parents, it did very little to please me, personally. Today, my career couldn’t be farther from medicine or professional sports; however, I’m happy with my career and continue to be pleasantly surprised by the myriad of opportunities that my career affords me. As it turns out, Mom and Dad are still very proud of their son. But, I had to start looking inward… I started asking myself: How can I earn a living doing what I love to do? What do I want for my life?

A college degree? A successful career? Financial security? A nice house? A nice car? Children? Pets? All of the above? How will I obtain and achieve these things I want? How will I keep them, once I have obtained them? My siblings and I were very fortunate to grow up with supportive parents that provided a stable household. However, there came a point, when the ‘Bank of Mom and Dad’ no longer accepted withdrawals; and I had to earn the things I wanted in life, including the future I wanted to build for myself. Simultaneously, there came a point where I had to start delineating the things I wanted from the things I needed. Some of you reading this, may already be at this juncture in life. Parents can be great supporters; but, may not always be willing to pay for our frivolities, poor judgments or bad decisions. When it comes time for you to start making some of these important decisions in your life, or, if you already are making them, don’t ignore the good advice offered by those who have a genuine interest in your success. There is much to be learned from the experiences of others; and if others are willing to help you avoid the same pitfalls that they encountered, it’s all the better for you. However, it is you that ultimately must live with the balance of your choices. Take that bull by the horns—and ride it until you reach the destinations you plan for yourself. Don’t stop; and never give up. The road to success is bumpy, yet always open to those who are not afraid to fail. So, who can you depend on? v 41

IEC Apprentice of the Year Travis Worn takes command of his future By StaďŹ&#x20AC; Writer | A4 Inc. ave you ever thought of becoming an electrician? Maybe you picked up the idea from a friend or your dad or an uncle. Mostly you liked what you heard. Good work, good pay, in a very interesting and challenging profession, not to mention that you can acquire the skill without incurring major college tuition debt. Is that really possible? Yes it is. Let me give you an example. Here is Travis Worn from Newborn, Georgia. See his photo to the right? The town of Newborn is about 75 miles from Atlanta, just southeast of Macon going down Highway 16. Travis used to work on a farm there, taking care of over 700 head of cattle. But one day a friend happen to come by who had decided to become an electrician, working for the electrical contractor Pat Murphy Electric, a member company of the Independent Electrical Contractors Association (IEC). Guess what happened next? He told him about his path to becoming an electrician. The friend told him about how he had learned the skills of an electrician, and the education had not cost him anything at all. The training was paid for by his employer. His employerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s expectations were high, and he would only reimburse him for the training expense at the full cost if he maintained an A average. The reimbursement would be less for a B or C. But free is a pretty good deal, so he studied hard and kept his GPA high. You can imagine that Travis, being a farmer, was always conscientious, on time and his overall work ethics had always been excellent.

Travis Worn

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Travis decided to inquire with Guy Roberts, the owner of Pat Murphy Electric. Is it possible that he would hire him, send him to school, and let him work as an apprentice? Well, Guy recognized immediately Travisâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; genuine interest, and he also felt that he would have the sense of responsibility that you need as an electrician and as a serious professional. So Travis started working and attending IECâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, Department-of-Labor-recognized apprenticeship program. Those were demanding courses, and the program would take four years to complete, but Travis managed to maintain an A average, moved up in the company, and after only four years is currently Project Manager for commercial and industrial accounts. Can you imagine such success in such a short period of time? Travis is married, bought his family a home, and provides for his wife and three children. Because Travis has done so well, he will be going to Phoenix, Arizona, for the IEC National championship, representing not only his

October | November 2017

company but also IEC Atlanta, who is very proud of his achievement. This success story is extremely important. Why? Because it is a testimony to how hard work, serious desire to win, and a commitment to a high

level of ethical behavior opens doors for a happy, gratifying career. Look around. Make a choice. Commit to something! And stick with it! Your desire for success will be fulfilled. Travis will testify to that.v

Taking control of your future By Sidni Waﬂer | Director of Recruiting | Georgia Trade School here are many challenges when transitioning from being a teenager to adulthood, but arguably one of the most difficult is deciding on a career path. I hated the idea of college so much that I enlisted in the Marine Corps rather than face another calculus test. When I completed my service, I was left searching for the next step to take in my life. In a lucky twist of fate, I found myself

with a federal contractor who is the nation’s largest supplier of Naval and Coast Guard ships. What exactly did I know about building ships? The answer, of course, was absolutely nothing. I took an administrative job that covered the bills and decided to give it my best. I was soon promoted into recruiting for the shipyard. For the next five years, I traveled the country finding trade/craft workers; specifically ‘growing’ welders. If you are wonder-

ing how and why a company ‘grows’ welders, I will tell you it’s a term we threw around quite a lot when it came to skilled trades jobs. We sought out some of the best welding schools in the nation to partner with us and cater their curriculum to what we needed to hire their graduates. It worked! We hired over 900 welders four years in a row from all over the country. During this time, I gained extensive knowledge about

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welders, their industry, and many other skilled professions. We continued to speak to local high schools and even down to elementary students to encourage their interests in STEM activities. We pushed the idea that skilled trades can still make you as good, if not a better, living than the white-collar jobs that our kids are so often groomed to seek. It was amazing to see how many kids had no idea what welding is. They didn’t know anything about the skilled trades that are becoming dying arts as the baby boomer generation retires at a rapid rate. If the idea of college doesn’t sound like something you’ve waited your whole life to do, then I would encourage you to take a step back and re-think the whole thing before you find yourself looking at $40K worth of student loan debt for a subject you’re not passionate about. If I’ve determined I don’t want a four-year degree, where do I start?

October | November 2017

Start with some hobbies that interest you and see where that leads you. Do you like to work with your hands? Do you like to work on projects? Do you build things? Do you like to have a finished product at the end of the day? Welding could be for you. The greatest thing about welding is that there are infinite career options. You can switch industries without ever changing your career. The idea is to be proactive about what you enjoy. Find what you love and find a way to make a living at it. There are welding engineers, welding sales representatives, welding instructors, welding inspectors, fabricators, manufacturers, research in metals, robotic welding, mechanics, artists, furniture makers, carpenters, shipbuilders, pipe welders, etc. just to name a few Georgia Trade School was one of the first few college partnerships that I worked with in 2013. I was impressed with the school then just as much as I am today. I am now proud to say that

I am their director of recruiting, continuing to feed great and well prepared students into the work force. Georgia Trade School offers an excellent program for beginning welders. With a 95% job placement rate, I’d say welding is a solid industry to be a part of. Currently the average welder in the United States is 65 years old. The latest projections state the need of at least 12,000 welders to enter the workforce each year to keep up with the loss of baby boomers that are retiring every day. We are losing a wealth of knowledge as this generation retires and no one to pass on the skill set to. There are proven metrics to show the demand is high and the supply is low when it comes to talent in the industry more than most white-collar career paths can attest. With a generation that is very heavily data-driven, this is information you can bank on. v

OFTC honors supervisory training program graduates & completers ast September, the Associated General Contractors of Georgia (AGC) began an eight-month customized Supervisory Training Program (STP) through Oconee Fall Line Technical College in order to address the impending need of construction supervisors. This week, the STP hosted their first graduation at OFTC’s South Campus in Dublin where they graduated 10 students and recognized the achievements of 17 others Monday, May 8th. “The thing we’ve spent our most time on the last few years is workforce development,” said Mike Dunham,

CEO of the AGC, while addressing the graduates. “There are tremendous opportunities in this state alone but without a workforce, development is a difficult task. We don’t have enough people entering the industry and that’s one reason you should be proud of what you’ve done here. You took the challenge and met it and you’re going to have a bright future in this state.” Participating graduates were: Phil Best Jr., Michael Brent, William Carrol, Michael Christopher, Robert Cross, Cohen Deal, Jeremy Jones, Jamie Rice, William Scrimpsher, and Daniel Var-

nadoe. Unit completers are students who have completed several, but not all units of the program. These students are expected to graduate with the next class that is already being formed. The 17 unit completers were: Charles Anderson, Chris Davis, Kelvin Epps, J. Charlie Garbutt, Hunter Knight, Suzy Lee, Adam McEachern, Gary McDaniel, Dan McLeod, Daniel Miller, Sean Moxley, Matt Richardson, Chris Rutledge, Dathan Smith, Jake Watson, Adam Yocco, and Austin Ziegler. Supervisory Training Program The customized training program

The Supervisory Training Program Graduates, Unit Completers and Instructors with Charlie Garbutt and Roger Byrd. 46

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Mike Dunham, Erica Harden (OFTC Executive VP), Dr. Lloyd Horadan (OFTC President), Charlie Garbutt, and Kim David (OFTC VP of Economic Development.

OFTC President, Dr. Lloyd Horadan, Charlie Garbutt, founder of Garbutt Construction, and Mike Dunham, CEO of the AGC. began after several conversations between companies in the construction and general contracting industry and OFTC about concerns regarding an approaching gap in supervisory-level employees due to a large number of the current workforce approaching retirement age, shared Kim David, VP of Economic Development at OFTC. “The STP is an existing training offered by the AGC that up-skills current construction and contracting employees into a certified supervisory October | November 2017

role,” she said. “Largely with backing from Garbutt Construction, STP allowed OFTC to utilize their existing curriculum and materials to offer this certified training in a location that is central to most in the state. While OFTC used the existing curriculum, the college’s Continuing Education Office conducted the training start to finish using instructors whose expertise was in the subject area of the particular training module. “We have utilized 16 different in-

structors throughout the program, including four from OFTC,” shared Roger Byrd, Manager of OFTC’s Business and Industry and Continuing Education department. “Our pool of instructors consisted of attorneys, college professors, higher education administrators, industry CEOs, and managers, several of whom traveled from Atlanta to participate. All were extremely qualified and three of the instructors have even authored books on their area of expertise,” Byrd said, “and almost all volunteered to teach in this program.” On Monday evenings, classes would meet from 5:30 to 8:30 and participants trained to increase their knowledge in order to further qualify for supervisory positions within their companies. “What this will do for a young man or woman is put them on a career path to grow into the opportunity to lead a construction team. To be that on-site supervisor, a superintendent,” Dunham shared in the September/October issue of the Georgia Contractor Magazine. And since the program is designed for those already working in the industry, the training modules are geared toward things like leadership, oral and written communication, planning and scheduling, and understanding contract documents, Dunham explained in the article. “In order to move up in the ranks, in order to get that bigger paycheck, you need to be looking towards a managerial role and that’s what the Supervisory Training Program will help you with,” he added. The STP partnership between OFTC and the AGC is expected to continue and to grow. The Continuing Education department of OFTC has already made plans for a second class beginning in September of 2017. For more info about OFTC’s Continuing Education Department or customized training opportunities, contact Kim David at kdavid@oftc.edu. v 47

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