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Welcome to i Build iBuild is CEFFGA’s official publication for the 2011 CareerExpo and SkillsUSA State Championships. This magazine is designed to provide additional information about career opportunities in the building industry: descriptions of careers, testimonials, success stories, training opportunities, contact information to pursue a career in the building industry and more! A special thanks to the individuals and companies who make this magazine possible, and who make the CareerExpo and SkillsUSA State Championships such a great event.
2010 - 2011 Governing Board John Doherty, Pyramid Masonry – President Gary Bishop, PCL Industrial Construction Company – President-elect Jeffrey Diamond, Goodman – Immediate Past President Brian Burleigh, Turner Construction Company Allen Calhoun, Lusk & Company Lisa Capicik, Brasfield & Gorrie Sonny Cannon, Georgia Department of Education Wanda Dunaway, Juneau Construction Co. Randy Hall, Batson-Cook Debra Howell, Georgia Power John Kelly, Hardin Construction Company J.R. Maxam, Holder Construction Company Gretchen Orrin, Athena Construction Group Welton Pruitt, Sales Solutions Regina Shelnutt, Robert M. Anderson, Inc. Rilo Stephens, Eckardt Electric Ricky Vickery, Rogers Construction Company 2010 - 2011 Advisory Board Jay Cunningham, Superior Plumbing Doug Davidson, New South Construction Company Pete Frey, The Georgia Contractor Phil Greeves, JAMCO Mark Hornbuckle, HB Training & Consulting Mike Kenig, Holder Construction Company Brent Reid, Winter Construction Company 2011 CareerExpo and SkillsUSA State Championships Planning Committee E.V. Bennett, Holder Construction Company Gary Bishop, PCL Industrial Construction Company Jamie Buck, Masonry Association of Georgia
Jody Brookshire, Applied Software Kenneth Cook, Pyramid Masonry John Doherty, Pyramid Masonry Bridgette Dye, MBA Waste Services Jenny Houlroyd, Georgia Tech Research Institute Pat Dunwoody, ABC of Georgia Michael Edwards, JAMCo Pete Frey, The Georgia Contractor Tim Grimes, Dollar Concrete Tasha Hardegree, Georgia Power Julie Harris, JAMCo Trey Harrison, Georgia System Operations Michael Hasamoh, Holder Construction Company Todd Hawkins, Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) Annslee Hillyer, Brasfield & Gorrie Caleb Jakushev, Turner Construction Company Will Jones, PCL Industrial Construction Company Chuck Little, Atlanta Electrical Contractors Association Brenda Morris, Georgia Tech Rod Owen, C.C. Owen Tile Company Theresa Schroeder, Turner Construction Company Regina Shelnutt, Robert M. Anderson Lisa Shumate, Shumate Mechanical Rick Smith, Georgia Department of Transportation Cherri Watson, Georgia Branch, AGC Jonathan Worrell, OSHA CEFGA Staff Scott Shelar, Executive Director Kevin Ward, Director of Operations Tangie Judy, Office Manager Stephanie Dilorio, Marketing and Communications
CEFGA is a nonprofit foundation dedicated to promoting careers in the construction industry. Established by industry leaders in 1993, CEFGA connects the construction industry and the education system in Georgia. For more information about CEFGA, please visit our website at www.cefga.org or call (678) 889-4445. CEFGA • 3585 Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road • Suite 301 • Suwanee, Georgia 30024 • Phone: 678-889-4445 • Fax: 678-889-4446 Published by TGC Publishing, LLC • 1154 Lower Birmingham Road • Canton, Georgia 30115 • 770-521-8877 • www.TGCPublishing.com
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CareerExpo and SkillsUSA State
Championships: From 1,000 to 7,000 Attendees in Seven Short Years By Scott Shelar, Executive Director of CEFGA
I
t is awesome to be part of the CareerExpo and SkillsUSA State Championships every year! And it is so rewarding to watch it grow, too. We introduced this event for the first time in April 2005 at the Gwinnett County Fairgrounds. That year, we had about 1,000 attendees. This year, we will host nearly 7,000 attendees at the Georgia International Convention Center in College Park on March 17-18. What strikes me most about the CareerExpo and SkillsUSA State Championship is its universal appeal to educators, students and industry. Each group loves the event. And, they love it for different reasons. Educators love it because it helps to motivate their students. It demonstrates tools, equipment and materials they don’t have in their classrooms or labs. It provides access to industry experts, who can reinforce basic concepts and introduce new information. It answers the age-old question that every generation of student asks: “How am I ever going to use math or science or English in the real world?” And the answer is coming from a 2nd or 3rd voice. It’s not “just” the teacher saying it. Students love the event because it is a different approach to education. Sure, it’s a day out of school. But, it’s a day in a very different learning environment. It is purposefully hands-on and fun. And our approach this year of using a school (Arabia Mountain High School) as our focus project or teaching tool throughout the event, is a great addition. Our hope is that by re-creating elements of Arabia Mountain High School at the CareerExpo, we will cause students to look at their own school—the sidewalks, walls, bathrooms, gymnasiums, etc.—differently.
So, that brings us to industry. What is it about the CareerExpo and SkillsUSA State Championships that keeps industry coming back year after year? What is it that causes industry to continue to invest time and resources in this event, especially in this current economic climate? From a business standpoint, construction and energy leaders recognize that 49-percent of our current workforce are Baby Boomers. This means the construction and energy industries will lose nearly half of their existing workforce to retirement in the coming years. I read recently that, starting in January 2011, 10,000 Baby Boomers are retiring every day! So, the construction and energy industries are investing today in programs like the CareerExpo and SkillsUSA to plant seeds with the next generation workforce. The other reason industry loves the CareerExpo and SkillsUSA event is that they enjoy connecting with young people. It’s why many adults go into teaching. There is something special about connecting with young people; seeing that light come on; knowing they’ve made a difference in the life of a student. For many of our industry volunteers, this is their one shot each year of connecting with students. We hope you enjoy this year’s new format! Thanks again to all of the educators, students and industry professionals for making the CareerExpo and SkillsUSA State Championships such a great event! O
Scott Shelar is in his 13th year as executive director of CEFGA. Scott and his wife Kara are the proud parents of two future CareerExpo and SkillsUSA State Championship attendees - Martin (3 years) and Sophie (3 months). 4
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Honorary Chair An Official Welcome from
the Honorary Chair of the 2011 CareerExpo and SkillsUSA State Championships. From Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle
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What is CEFGA? ABOUT CEFGA CEFGA partners with construction companies, trade associations, the Technical College System of Georgia, and the Georgia Department of Education to support training programs and encourage students to pursue careers in construction. Our Mission We are committed to building a talent pipeline for Georgia's construction industry. Our Vision We seek to raise the profile of the construction industry and position careers in construction as a top choice for any student pursuing a well-paid, exciting and rewarding professional life. 6
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What We Do •
•
•
We accredit construction programs
We advocate for construction edu-
at Georgia schools to industry-
cation in the state of Georgia.
developed standards.
We organize Careers in
•
We issue the construction industry’s
Construction Week in the fall and
most recognized credentials,
CareerExpo and SkillsUSA
NCCER certificates, to Georgia
Georgia State Championships in
teachers and students
the spring.
Our key partners include:
Interested in learning more about CEFGA? Contact Executive Director Scott Shelar at 678-889-4445.
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A special thanks Sponsors and participating companies of the 2011 CareerExpo and SkillsUSA State Championships (as of February 16, 2011): A&B Sheet Metal Affinity Service Group/CompTrustAGC AGC Young Leadership Program Allison Smith Company Alterna Corporation AMEC - Kamtech, Inc. AMEC Power and Process Americas American Institute of Architects Atlanta Chapter (AIA) American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Applied Software Ashford Gardeners ASSE Georgia Chapter Associated Builders and Contractors of Georgia (ABC) Atlanta Commercial Millworks Atlanta Electrical Contractors Association (AECA) Atlanta Ironworkers JAC Local 387 Atlantic Coast Construction Management Services B&G Supply Balfour Beatty Construction Bartow County Schools Batson Cook Beatty Construction Benning Construction Company Block USA Blue Collar Club Boral Brick Brasfield & Gorrie Brick Industry Association Southeast Region C & A Johnson Plumbing C. C. Owen Tile Company, Inc. Cabinets by Design Calculated Industries Caroma USA Inc. CC Owen Tile Company Champion Construction Systems, Inc. Choate Construction Company City of Atlanta CNA Surety Conditioned Air Systems Construction Clean-Up Specialists, Inc. Corporate Environments Dixie Construction Doster Construction Company DuPont Tyvek Eckardt Electric Company Electric Cities of Georgia Environmental Stoneworks Fayette Custom Millwork Fitzgerald Plumbing Florida Masonry Apprenticeship & Education Foundation Fly & Form Galloway’s Masonry, Inc. Gardner Sheet Metal Gay Construction Company General Motors
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Georgia Branch, Associated General Contractors (AGC) Georgia Concrete and Products Association Georgia Department of Transportation Georgia Electric Membership Corporation Georgia Energy and Industrial Construction Consortium Georgia Institute of Technology Georgia Local Section AIHA Georgia Masonry Supply, Inc. (GMS) Georgia Power Georgia Southern University Georgia System Operations Corporation Georgia Tech Georgia Tech Research Institute Georgia Tech School of Building Construction Georgia Transmission Corporation Georgia Utility Contractors Association Get Into Energy Georgia Goodman Governor’s Office of Workforce Development Greater Atlanta Economic Alliance Hardin Construction Company LLC HB NEXT HB Training & Consulting HD Supply White Cap Hertz Equipment Rental HJ-DP/ GAEA - International Aviation Consultants Hobart Brothers Holder Construction Company Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) Atlanta and Georgia Chapters Inglett & Stubbs Electrical Construction Ivey Mechanical JAMCo Jeffreys Manufacturing Solutions Johnson Concrete Juneau Construction Company LLC Keep Smiling Plumbing KONE, Inc. LAFARGE North America Leco Mechanical Lincoln Electric Logan Masonry, Inc. Lowe’s Lusk & Company Manhattan Construction Company Marek Interior Systems, Inc. Masonry Association of Georgia, Inc. Mayberry Electric MBA Waste Enterprises, LLC Metromont Corporation MetroPower Inc Miller Electric Company Mobile Communications of Gwinnett MSA MSI Mulkey Enterprises NCCER/Pearson
New South Construction Co. North Georgia Brick Co., Inc. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Oglethorpe Power Corporation (OPC) Oldcastle Architectural Inc. Pace Drywall Company Parrish Construction Group PCL Industrial Construction Company Pearson/NCCER Perkins+Will Plumbing & Mechanical Association of Georgia (PMA) PlumbWorks Potts Construction PPC Foundation Precision Concrete Construction, Inc. Premier Contract Carpet Pyramid Masonry Contractors Inc. Republic Demolition Inc. Richlite Robert M. Anderson Inc. Sales Solutions, Inc. Savannah College of Art & Design (SCAD) School of Building Construction/Georgia Tech SECO Architectural Systems SDC Concrete Sherwin Williams Shumate Mechanical Smart Board Southeast Link Southern Polytechnic State University Southface Energy Institute Sunbelt Rentals Superior Plumbing Service Tebarco Mechanical Technical College System of Georgia TGC Publishing LLC The Quikrete Companies Traffic Technologies Trane Tri-County EMC Turner Construction Company U.S. Green Building Council Georgia Chapter United Electric United Forming United Rentals UP Scaffolding USA Ready Mix USDOL- Wage and Hour USDOL-OSHA Wayne J. Griffin Electric Inc. Winter Construction Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc. Yates Insurance Agency
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2011 CareerExpo & SkillsUSA State Championships Presenting Sponsors
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2011 CareerExpo & SkillsUSA State Championships Presenting Sponsors
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Talented Young People, Choose Construction! What
comes to mind when
you hear the word
construction?
Hard hats? Backhoes? Concrete trucks? Cranes? Skyscrapers? Commercial construction is all
of this and
much, much more.
From your school to the 50-story office building downtown, every single building you see represents the work of hundreds, even thousands of construction professionals. Construction is one of the top ten growth industries in United States and one of the most diversified and complex. “In construction it’s possible to do so many things,” says Turner Construction Company’s Caleb Jakushev. “You could, for example, build a golf course, go in business for yourself, work on an oil rig, estimate take-off, become a BIM expert, or work for a horizontal GC constructing roads & bridges. It’s 12 i Build 2011
really up to you.” According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, opportunities to own your own business are better in construction than any other industry. Hogan Construction Company Vice President Beth Gabbett says, “there is a strong history of entrepreneurship in construction and much evidence of people who master a trade going on to develop management skills and start their own company.” Opportunities in construction are increasing, but the workforce is shrinking. For young people, this is good news. The business is rapidly changing with the emergence of new technology, such as building information modeling, and sustainable (green) building practices. Construction professionals are developing new models for collaborating across disciplines within the industry
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Design It! Architect Commercial Interiors Designer Building Information Modeling (BIM) Specialist Engineer
Built to respond to these changes as well as shifts in the market. Companies are planning for the future labor shortage and eager to recruit qualified, motivated young people. There are three main routes for developing a career in the construction industry: enroll in an apprenticeship program to learn a trade; obtain tradesspecific certificates and degrees at a technical college; pursue a university degree in construction management, engineering, or architecture. Now is the time for middle and high school students
Construction is…
Planning; working outside; working inside; digging; designing; testing; hammering; inspecting; installing; communicating; operating heavy equipment; purchasing; laying brick; reviewing quality; troubleshooting; painting; managing; wiring; selling; estimating costs; tracking budgets; hiring people; establishing contracts; assessing risk
to explore their interests and think about the future. Because the construction industry is so large and so complex, it can be helpful to think about jobs as they relate to phases of a building project. What sounds most exciting to you? Designing a building? Building a building? Energizing a building? This list of careers provides a starting point for investigating the exciting, rewarding, and well-paid opportunities in construction. Where and how far you go is
It!
Estimator Field engineer Foreman Superintendent Project Engineer Project Manager Mason Electrician
Energize It! Lineworker Technician Power plant operator Pipefitter Engineer
up to you! O
Find the career for you! •
•
•
Think about your interests and skills and make a list to consult when exploring careers Talk to construction professionals in your family and community and at the CareerExpo and Careers in Construction Week. Find out what they do. Ask them what they like about their jobs and what type of education and training they needed to get started in their career. Seek advice from your teacher or guidance counselor
• • • •
• • •
Participate in skill building programs like SkillsUSA Volunteer to develop skills and meet people Find an internship or summer job Research education and training programs such as apprenticeship programs, technical college degrees, and university degrees Set goals for yourself Plan your education and training according to your goals Let your passion and ambition guide you!
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Green
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YOUR Schools,
You may remember when green was just a color. Today it has an entirely new meaning. Green equals sustainability, the concept of meeting present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. In reality, what it actually means to “be green” is a question that many communities and companies are trying to answer. The construction industry is embracing the question and rapidly developing new technologies and practices to reduce building-related environmental impacts while creating spaces that are healthier for people and cost less to operate. This effort is called “green building,” and it’s transforming design, construction, and operations. Green building also has the potential to transform schools in Georgia. Green schools have demonstrated direct benefits to student health and performance. They are less expensive to operate and more suited to learning with good indoor air quality, improved acoustics, and comfortable indoor tem14 i Build 2011
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Georgia!
peratures. In 2008, Arabia Mountain High School in Lithonia became Georgia’s first LEED-silver certified public high school. LEED is the leading green building certification program, operated by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC). When a new school is constructed more counties are considering green building practices and materials because they make financial sense as well as environmental sense. USGBC Georgia Chapter (USGBC-GA) Executive Director Leesa Carter says, “green schools do not cost more to build than a conventional school. In fact, a typical green school saves $100,000 per year in direct costs.” What about existing schools, though? Can green building be applied to 30-year old schools? The answer is yes. The USGBC-GA is challenging Georgia to make all schools, new and existing, green within a generation. This may sound like a rather ambitious goal, but USGBC-GA director Leesa Carter will convince you otherwise. Surprisingly, behavioral changes and facility operations, such as turning off lights and using energy-efficient light
bulbs can deliver tremendous savings to the school. “Schools can quickly and significantly reduce energy bills with very simple measures,” Ms. Carter says. “We have created tools to help retrofit schools and implement operation practices without any additional costs.” The USGBC-GA provides free consulting on greening schools, affordable programs for financing upgrades, and training programs for facilities staff. The USGBC also wants students to take a leadership role in greening their school, and is partnering with CEFGA and SkillsUSA on a new sustainability contest called Green YOUR School. Working with an advisor, students will form sustainability teams and develop a plan to green their school. They will compete at the 2012 SkillsUSA Championship by submitting their plan to reduce energy costs for their school. “This program,” says CEFGA Executive Director Scott Shelar, “give students an incredible opportunity to learn first hand about green building and develop valuable skills for a career in the building industry.” O Arabia Mountain High School was Georgia’s first LEED-silver certified public high school.
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Why
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Green Schools?
•
Green Schools are healthier.
•
A typical green school shows a 25% reduction in asthma and 15% reduction in cols and flu.
•
Healthier students perform better on tests and show greater achievements in learning.
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Greening an
Existing School
Building renewal, or retrofitting, projects would include: • High-efficiency Lighting retrofits • High-efficiency HVAC systems • Water-saving plumbing fixtures • Solid Waste Reduction & Recycling Programs • Operations & maintenance re-training • Window glazing & Weatherization For more information on USGBC-GA’s services, Contact Leesa Carter. lcarter@usgbcga.org www.usgbcga.org
Green YOUR School How much money could your school save if it used less energy? You can answer this question! Develop a plan to reduce energy. Take action. Share your results.
To win the 2012 SkillsUSA Green YOUR School! Contest… Form a team for this brand new competition in 2012. Make an impact on your school, meet LEED certified industry professionals, and learn marketable skills for an exciting career in the building industry. The Green YOUR School! Contest is sponsored by SkillsUSA in partnership with United States Green Building Council Georgia Chapter and CEFGA.
For more information, contact Gayle SilveyState Director, SkillsUSA Georgia gsilvey@skillsusageorgia.org (770) 914-6288
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Construction Safety Facts for Teens
If you’re 18… You may perform any job at any place for unlimited hours. If you’re 16 or 17… You can work any job not declared hazardous by the Secretary of Labor, for unlimited hours. Hazardous jobs include roofing, excavation, demolition, working with saws, driving cars, and operating forklifts or powerdriven machines. If you are an apprentice or bona-fide student learner you may work in these hazardous job areas. Being a bona-fide learner means that you are a student who is learning a trade in a career and technical training program. You must have a written agreement with your employer and principal about the type of work and the duration of the work. You must also complete safety training.
If you’re 14 or 15…You can work in an office or retail environment. There are opportunities in construction management offices, with architects or designers, and with vendors in showrooms or retail centers. Students in this age group have limitations on their work hours of 18 hours per week for school weeks and 40 hours per week during non-school weeks. These regulations are in place to ensure the safety of young workers, while keeping learning—not performing job tasks—at the forefront. Safety matters. Safety is important not just for you, but for your entire workplace. CEFGA Safety Partners Together, these organizations work to enhance the safety of the thousands of construction students in Georgia through the Georgia Youth Alliance: OSHA Atlanta-East OSHA Atlanta-West OSHA Savannah American Industrial Hygiene Association American Society of Safety Engineers Foundation
Brasfield & Gorrie Cork-Howard Georgia Branch, AGC Georgia Power Georgia Tech Research Institute, Occupational Safety & Health Division
We always want to protect our youth and guide them into the future with real career possibilities. Proper training and safety are always priority.
Georgia Department of Education Rogers Construction Company
GA Tech Research Institute Opens Center for Young Worker Safety and Health Whether you are a young worker just starting your career, an educator training tomorrow’s workforce, or an employer concerned about keeping young employees safe, the Center for Young Worker Safety and Health at Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) is ready to provide you with the resources you need. Created in October 2010, the Center is dedicated to equipping young workers, their teachers, employers and parents with the training, educational resources, technical expertise, and online resources they need to promote safe and healthy work practices and to prevent occupational injuries and illnesses. In addition to the resources provided on the Center’s website, at www.startsafeonline.org, the program also offers three distinct training programs. The “Young Worker Safety and Health General Awareness Training” is a one to two hour training module that focuses on the importance of young worker safety and health. The “Young Worker Safety and Health Training for Instructors and Employers” is a four hour workshop that provides employers and teachers with all the resources they need to train young workers. And finally, the “Start Safe: A Safety and Health Primer for Young Workers” training is a 6-8 hour workshop class designed for young workers, ages 15-24, as they enter the workforce. These classes are designed to be delivered in either a classroom setting or at a place of employment. For more information or to schedule a training session, contact us at startsafe@gtri.gatech.edu. O 16 i Build 2011
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Companies & Schools! Save the Date for Careers in Construction Week 2011 Plan now to participate in this exciting week of activities bringing industry professionals together with schools.
Contact CEFGA at 678.889.4445 or info@cefga.org to register your company or school.
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Beniquez Palmer Construction Management A Family Business for New South Project Manager As a young girl, Beniquez Palmer knew she would pursue a career in the construction industry. Growing up in Huntsville, Alabama, she listened to her father, Jesse L. Johnson, and her grandfather, Ollie Johnson, talk about their business, Johnson Brothers Construction Company, and spent summers as a teenager working on the company’s residential concrete projects. Building was a way of life. It still is. Beniquez, now a project manager at New South Construction Company in Atlanta, has taken her own path. Inspired by two summers of EPA work as part of NASA’s Summer High School Apprenticeship Program (SHARP) for high school students, Beniquez decided to study civil engineering at Tennessee State University in Nashville. After earning her bachelor’s degree in civil engineering in 1999 she moved to Atlanta to work in the water management department at Arcadis, a civil engineering consultancy. 18 i Build 2011
She enjoyed the work of designing plans, and found herself, over time, drawn to work in the field. “I wanted to know,” Beniquez says “what happens when the soil isn’t the same as expected? Or if the products you chose aren’t available?” The challenges of solving immediate problems on a job site when faced with a ticking clock and tight budget appealed to Beniquez, motivating her to shift her career from civil engineering to construction management. After taking night classes at Southern Polytechnic State University while working full time, she graduated in 2003 with a master’s degree in construction management, and was hired as a project engineer for New South Construction. Seven years later, Beniquez is full of stories about overcoming challenges in the field and very knowledgeable on the inner workings of the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Airport, where the majority of her projects have been located.
Project Management at a Glance Education requirements: Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering or related field Typical Career Path: Project Engineer Project Manager Senior Project Manager Salary Range: $45,000 – $100,000 + Among her favorite projects is the renovation of Delta’s South Terminal. Because the terminal remains open during construction projects, the project had to be completed under the radar. “We had to put up temporary walls so passengers wouldn’t be disturbed and schedule most of our work at night,” remembers Beniquez. “Running a project at the airport that couldn’t be seen, heard, or smelled is a real challenge.
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Beniquez on Careers
Keys to success: •
Build relationships with people
Why choose general contracting:
•
Always try to learn
•
Gain experience with every trade,
•
Thank people on your team
discipline
•
Show respect and help people do
•
Work with people
•
Solve problems
good work Advice for students: Go with your gut, your heart
We had to get very creative!” When talking about her work, Beniquez constantly uses the word “we.” Good teamwork is on her list of success factors for a project. As a manager, Beniquez sets clear expectations and coaches her people to meet those expectations. “You have to respect your team members and thank them,” she says. “It’s a great feeling to see a finished product. You have to remember that you didn’t get there by yourself.”
Beniquez enjoys working for a general contractor because she works with every trade and discipline across the industry. She describes New South Construction as a family, saying “people look out for each other here.” Next, Beniquez hopes to become a senior project manager for the company and perhaps go into business development. “Who is better to sell projects than someone who knows how the process works,” she comments.
Tom Troutman, Executive Vice President at New South Construction says, “We are proud to consider Beni as a part of our family. We look forward to many more years of her passion and leadership in the construction industry.” When asked if she’ll take over Johnson Brothers Construction Company one day, Beniquez answers with a smile “maybe one day I’ll run my own business. We’ll see.” In any case, she’ll be in a family business. O
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Safety Director
Photo credits: Heather Fritz
Beth Gabbett
Hogan Executive Builds on Solid Foundation In her early twenties, Beth Gabbett was working in an art gallery in Chicago. She knew she wasn’t in the right career and picked up Studs Terkel’s book “Working: People Talk About What They Do All Day and How They Feel About What They Do” to learn more about different career paths. The person, Beth remembers, who seemed the most satisfied with his job was a mason. She took note. Around the same time, Beth learned about the Chicago Women in Trades program, a 12-week union entrance exam preparation course, and decided to enroll. This decision put her on path to become a seasoned construction industry professional with experience in the trades, project operations, and business development. After becoming a full-fledged journeyman carpenter and enrolling in a construction management program at an Illinois university, Beth was offered a job at Archer Western as an office engineer and later, as a safe20 i Build 2011
ty engineer. Her Spanish language skills, which she sharpened while working with largely Spanish-speaking crews in Chicago, set her apart from other candidates. As a safety engineer Beth drew on her experience as a tradesperson and project staff person to create jobsite based safety programs; she led safety orientations for the subcontractors, conducted project audits and provided safety training. “Working in safety management is challenging and rewarding,” says Beth. “I enjoyed helping people learn about how their actions are relevant to the bigger picture.” When Beth later went to work at Hartsfield-Jackson Construction Management on the fifth runway project, she took on more responsibility as a safety manager. Among other work, as part of a program management team at the airport, she oversaw contractors’ implementation of field safety programs for multiple simultaneous projects. One of
Careers in Construction Safety at a Glance Education Routes into Safety Careers: Technical college degree in Safety and Health Bachelor’s degree in Safety and Health Field or management experience plus on-the-job safety training and industry safety certifications such as OSHA 30 training and Certified Safety Professional credential Typical Career Path: Safety Coordinator Safety Engineer Safety Manager Safety Directory Corporate Safety Director Salary Range: $30,000 – $75,000 +
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Beth’s most challenging experiences on the project was overseeing the safety plan for the dynamiting of below ground rock, which was adjacent to the airplane gates. “To do the work, we only had 53 seconds between flights taking off,” she recalls. “It had to be just right.” Her team also oversaw the implosion of the old FAA tower, a project that went extremely well due to the cooperation and talent of many professionals. Beth’s progressive experience in safety operations led her to accept the role of Corporate Director of Safety at Hogan Construction Company, where she now works. She joined Hogan in an exciting period of growth, and took on the challenge to re-structure and enhance the company’s safety program to ensure safety remained a top priority as the company expanded. Beth approached this project with vigor and discipline. She developed an internal training program that integrated safety training as part of professional development courses and implemented industry
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President of Business Development and passed the corporate safety reigns to Richard Terrell, a 35-year industry veteran. Beth’s work in establishing the internal safety program and Mr. Terrell current leadership were recently honored when Hogan was named the winner of the BB&T Insurance 2010 Lighthouse Beam Safety Award. Beth’s career development illustrates both her talent and the wealth of opportunity in the construction industry. She sees her development from tradesperson to field management to business
Hogan Construction was awarded BB&T 2010 Lighthouse Beam Safety Award
development as a “natural progres-
safety initiatives such as Latino Worker Safety. In her role as Corporate Safety Director, Beth represented Hogan at industry events and began to take on a greater role in marketing. At the end of 2009, she was promoted to Vice
appreciates the entrepreneurial spirit of
Beth on Careers Why choose construction safety •
Rewarding and important work
•
Requires problem solving
•
Demands good communication
sion,” often seen among business owners in the industry. At Hogan, Beth the company and its participation in municipal projects. “There’s opportunity to go as far as your ambition will take you,” she says. It’s safe, it seems, to say that Beth will go far. O
Keys to success: •
Strong character
•
Dependability
•
Hard work
Advice for students: •
In construction, you have potential to become an entrepreneur.
•
Find mentors
•
Be positive
North Georgia Technical College is a public, two-year technical college. In addition to the main Clarkesville Campus, there are campuses located in Blairsville and Toccoa. Students receive invaluable training in employability skills and hands-on experience with high-tech equipment. The college offers traditional, distance learning, and online courses that lead to a certificate, a diploma, or an associate’s degree. NGTC has recently signed agreements with several local colleges that pave the way for students to get a jump start on an academic history. Certificates in programs such as HVAC to electrical maintenance to welding can be completed in a year or less. Visit www.northgatech.edu for more information. The Official Publication of the 2011 CareerExpo & SkillsUSA Championships 21
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Jon Tuck
Plumber & Teacher Superior Plumbing Manager Turns High School Teacher When Jon Tuck was in the tenth grade, he decided to pursue a career in the construction industry and enrolled in a technical education program for his junior and senior years. He had always loved working with his hands and four years of college didn’t appeal to him; he wanted to jump into work. Inspired by a family friend, Jon chose plumbing as his concentration. It became immediately clear that he had chosen well: Jon made straight As in the program and won the plumbing competition at the regional VICA Skills Olympics, a precursor of the SkillsUSA Championships. Now, nearly twenty-five years later, Jon is a plumbing industry veteran. In January 2011, he went back to high school. Only this time, he is the teacher. Jon, with the support of Superior Plumbing owner Jay Cunningham, is helping to establish a brand new construction training program at North 22 i Build 2011
Cobb High School. Jon and Jay have made a good team for many years. They first met in the classroom when Jon was one of Jay’s second year students in the Pluming Heating Cooling and Contractor’s four-year apprenticeship program. After sitting for his plumbing state license, Jon moved up from plumber to foreman at Tebarco Mechanical Corporation and Eastern Mechanical Contractors. Along the way Jon began giving back to the construction industry as a plumbing instructor for CEFGA’s training program. His experience in field and management led Jon to plumbing detail and drawing design at Mallory & Evans, an engineering firm. In 2002, he joined Superior Plumbing as service manager, a role in which he combined his background as a technician, foreman, designer, and instructor. Jon wears many hats as a service manager, supervising hiring,
Plumbing at a Glance Education requirements: completion of accredited apprenticeship training; passing state license exam Typical Career Path: Apprentice Plumber Foreman Service Manager Project Manager Business Owner Salary Range: $45,000 – $100,000 orientation, and training of new employees; inspecting workmanship; resolving conflicts with suppliers or customers. “The best tool I use in my work is my mind,” Jon reflects. “In plumbing you have to be creative and analytical. You have to overcome obstacles. Solve problems.” Jon’s work can be seen all around the metro Atlanta area. Among his
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Jon on Careers
Why choose plumbing: •
Make a good living
•
Work with your hands
•
Solve problems
Keys to success: •
Think creatively about problems and obstacles
•
Communicate well
•
Be punctual
Advice for students on careers: •
Pay attention to your grades; graduate from high school
favorite projects are expansion of the World Congress Center, an enormous undertaking; installing the piping for All American Gourmet’s food processing plant, an interesting twist on commercial plumbing; and work at some of Atlanta’s best hospitals such as Northside and Grady. North Cobb High School students have a first-rate teacher to introduce them to the fundamentals of construction management. Learning from the
National Center for Construction Education and Research’s curriculum, students have the opportunity to earn industry-recognized credentials. North Cobb High School Principal Dr. Phillip Page and Superior Plumbing share the same vision for students to develop marketable skills for their future. “The trades are ‘graying’,” says Jon. “I want to teach students skills that will be in very high demand when nearly half of the construction workforce retires in
•
Learn good communication skills
•
Be passionate about working with your hands
the next five to ten years.” Jon’s career offers a compelling example of how a career in plumbing is interesting, rewarding, and lucrative. “Students need to pay attention to their grades and graduate,” Jon says. Life is much brighter with education and passion for your work. O
the
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THEGEORGIAENGINEER. The Official Publication of the 2011 CareerExpo & SkillsUSA Championships 23
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Maeruf Hassen Journeyman Wireman Maeruf Hassen; Electrical Contracting; Journeyman Wireman
Allison Smith Electrician Achieves the American Dream When Maeruf Hassen immigrated from Ethiopia, he dreamed of providing a good life for his family. Although he held a university degree in chemical engineering from his home country, Maeruf was not able to find a job in his field. He began working in retail at Your Dekalb Farmers Market and exploring long-term career opportunities. After a friend told him about an apprenticeship program at the Electrical Training Center (ETC), Maeruf knew he was onto something. Five years later, Maeruf is a journeyman electrician and one of Allison Smith Company’s high potential employees. The ETC apprenticeship program, run by the Atlanta Electrical Contractors Association (AECA) and the International Brotherhood of Electrical 24 i Build 2011
Workers (IBEW), prepares future electricians through classroom and on-the-job training. Over the course of five years, ETC apprentices attend one day of class every two weeks and work full-time with an AECA member company. The AECA has recently invested $5 million to build a state of the art training facility for its apprentices. Maeruf was attracted to the program because he would earn money while learning a trade. “The apprentice program gave me a future,” he says. “I was motivated to make money right away and find a professional career.” Maeruf built a good reputation in the program based on hard work, dependability and commitment to learning. In five years, Maeruf never missed one day of class, and as a fourth year apprentice he even managed a small crew. At his graduation ceremony in December 2010, Maeruf was honored
Journeyman Wireman at a Glance Education requirements: Completion of accredited electrical apprenticeship program such as AECA and IBEW’s Electrical Training Center Typical Career Path: Apprentice Journeyman Wireman Lead Journeyman Foreman Lead Foreman General Foreman Area Foreman Salary Range: $22,000 - $72,000 + as the Electrical Training Center’s Apprentice of the Year. This award recognizing Maeruf’s top performance comes as no surprise to Kevin Hill, Maeruf’s first foreman at Allison Smith.
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Maeruf on Careers Why choose an electrical apprenticeship program: •
Earn money while learning a trade
•
Receive a recognized qualification
•
Find a career with good earning potential
Keys to success: •
Work hard
•
Be patient
•
Show commitment to company
Advice for students on choosing a career: •
Find a job you like
“Maeruf is one of the most productive apprentices I’ve had in a long time,” says Mr. Hill. “He’s dependable and hard working. When he doesn’t know something, he asks questions and does his research.” Maeruf credits his success in the program to his strong work ethic and Mr. Hill’s mentorship. “I believe in having a commitment to the company. My work should make the company more productive,” he says.
“I wouldn’t be
here without Mr. Hill. He helped me to believe in myself and taught me what I need to know.” Now working as a journeyman wireman, Maeruf describes his brain as his best tool. “This job,” he says “is never boring. If you like your job, 8 hours go by very fast.” From complex
Allison Smith Company’s Kevin Hill and Mike Peters Congratulate Maeruf Hassen, 2010 Apprentice of the Year Award Winner
installations to troubleshooting, Maeruf likes all aspects of his job. At the end of the day, he sees the results of his work. Maeruf Hassen’s life in the United States is turning out as he had hoped. With a journeyman ticket in hand, a fulltime job at Allison Smith Company, and a defined career path, he has created a future for himself and his family. As he gains more experience, Maeruf hopes to become a foreman one day.
His
employer has plans to invest in his development. On the horizon is management training in the AECA Certified Leadership Program. In the meantime, he is applying himself and seeking to learn more on a new project with his first foreman and mentor, Mr. Hill. O The Official Publication of the 2011 CareerExpo & SkillsUSA Championships 25
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Greg Pellerito Masonry Journeyman Pyramid Masonry Journeyman Lays Foundation for a Career After high school, twenty-two year old Greg Pellerito took an opportunity to learn masonry alongside his brotherin-law, Bronson Nielson. A year later, Greg took a friend’s suggestion to call Pyramid Masonry. He was hired for a project in Rome, and shortly thereafter his foreman, Don Nesbit, signed Greg up for the Masonry Association of Georgia’s three-year apprenticeship program. Greg stood out in the program and won MAG’s Apprentice of the Year award before turning out as a journeyman in 2009. “The apprenticeship program was a good experience,” Greg says. “You get to practice and receive critique on your work. My instructor gave very good critiques.” As an apprentice, Greg attended class on Tuesday nights, which made working full-time possible. In masonry, it is possible to make a good living, Greg confirms. A journey26 i Build 2011
man can move up to foreman and then project supervisor and manager. “Pyramid is a big company. You receive benefits and can often take on extra work if you’re willing to put in overtime,” Greg remarks. For Greg, the best way to learn how to be a good mason has been to observe the most skilled veterans. Finding a good teacher is important, he feels, as is learning to take criticism. Greg believes working in the field is good for character development. “You learn life-long skills that will help you in the real world,” he comments. “The field pushes you to produce good quality work. If your work is bad, you have to tear it down.” Greg enjoys working outside, especially in the fall and spring, instead of being cooped up in an office. “At the end of the day,” Greg says, “I can go home knowing that I
Masonry at a Glance Education requirements: Completion of accredited apprenticeship program such as Masonry Association of Georgia’s program Typical Career Path: Apprentice Journeyman Mason Foreman Project Supervisor Project Manager Contractor / Owner Salary Range: $15,000 – 90,000+ built something that will last. That I had a hand in it.” Greg has also used his masonry skills on his home. He recently built a retaining wall in his backyard. In the apprenticeship program, students also practice their skills on projects such as mailboxes or fireplaces. “The training was practical for me,” Greg says. “I
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was able to find a job and develop skills
he says. “Many of my friends went to
town and say ‘I helped build that’—
that I can use at home.”
college right after school and dropped
that’s a neat feeling.” As a mason,
out after a year or two.”
Greg understands construction from a
In the fall of 2010, Greg enrolled State
Greg knows what he wants to do
field point of view, and he feels that as
University’s five-year architecture pro-
now. He has chosen to stay in construc-
an architect he will be able to design
gram. When he graduated from high
tion because he finds working on a
more functional buildings. As a mason,
school, he knew that he wasn’t certain
project from start to finish rewarding.
Greg will also be able to support him-
of what he wanted to do. “Being out in
He also enjoys moving on to the next
self as he earns his degree and enters
the real world is a good experience,”
project. “To be able to drive around
the next phase of his career. O
in
Southern
Polytechnic
Greg on Careers
Keys to success: •
Observe more experienced people
Why choose Masonry:
•
Take criticism well
•
Make a good living
•
Have fun
•
Work with your hands
Advice for students:
•
Be outside
•
Find something you like
•
See the results of your hard work
•
If you’re not sure what you want to do, work first
Greg uses his masonry skills on his own home
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Caleb Jakushev Field Management Turner Superintendent Sees Opportunity Caleb Jakushev is six years into his career in construction. In this relatively short period of time, he has already experienced one of the construction industry’s strengths: breadth of opportunity. “Building is an always evolving industry,” Caleb says. “There are always new methods and practices being used to adapt to the ever-changing environment.” “Much expertise is required dealing with diverse clients and market segments. There are multiple directions someone can take throughout the course of their career.” Caleb knew this about the construction industry before he even started his own career. His father Walter Jakushev, who runs his own residential construction business near Asheville, North Carolina, started out in commercial concrete work in New York, working on large-scale projects such as Tower II of the World Trade Center. When Caleb decided to go into construction, his dad advised him to focus on his education after high school. 28 i Build 2011
Caleb chose to study construction management and enrolled at Western Carolina University’s newly established CM degree program. In 2005, he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management and took a job with Centex Destination Properties, a resort community developer. Working on Bear Lake Reserve, a 2,200-acre golf course resort near Cashiers, North Carolina, Caleb developed strong supervisory skills and valuable knowledge for new property development. After three years with Centex, Caleb moved to Atlanta to work as engineer with Turner Construction Company. His first project in 2008 was a significant one for both the firm and the state: Arabia Mountain High School, Georgia’s first public LEED-silver certified high school. Caleb joined the project in its final stage as a superintendent. He was responsible for coordinating and managing multiple subcontractor field activities; and conduct-
Field Management in General Contracting at a Glance Career Path Field Engineer Assistant Engineer Assistant Superintendant Project Superintendent Salary Range: $40,000 – $100,000 + ing project close out meetings and training with facility owner DeKalb County School System. On his next job at the Atlanta Public Safety Project, Caleb sharpened his skills and experience in closing out a project, including ensuring safety and quality compliance and managing communications with the project architect, subcontractors, and owner. In 2009 Caleb took on a new role as a risk manager working with Turner’s Contractor Controlled Insurance Program (CCIP). As a risk manager, Caleb is learning the business side of
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general contracting, including developing project insurance rates, establishing insurance limits within contracts, and educating project staff and subcontractors on CCIP programs. “Turner,” Caleb says, “does an excellent job in developing its people. I have great access to valuable resources along with senior management and have the opportunity to rotate jobs within the company to learn both the field and office side of construction.”
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Caleb expects his next rotation will take him back to the field as an engineer or superintendent. The diversity of opportunities in the construction industry appeals to Caleb. “In construction it’s possible to do so many things,” he remarks. “You could, for example, build a golf course, go in business for yourself, work on an oil rig, estimate take-off, BIM modeling, or work for a horizontal GC constructing roads & bridges. It’s really up to you.”
With his experience in new property development, commercial construction field management, and risk management, Caleb has had a diversified career in just six years. Long term, he imagines developing his career in a regional management position. In any case, Caleb knows he is in the right industry. “I couldn’t see myself doing anything else. Another career just wouldn’t be me.” O
Caleb on Careers
Keys to success: •
Learn to communicate well
Reasons to choose field management
•
Be proactive, not reactive
•
Daily challenge to think on your feet
•
Put safety first on the agenda
•
Diversity of people – subcontractors,
•
Show respect for others; learn from others
owners, architects, engineers
•
Build friendships
Opportunity to work outside
Advice for students:
•
•
Do what you really enjoy
•
Understand the opportunities a career actually offers
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Shawn Hamlin Architect Perkins + Will Sr. Architect Directs Design Shawn Hamlin has loved drawing and art since childhood. In high school, he focused on art and art history and knew he wanted art to be a part of his career. He also knew he wanted to make a practical living. Because he was good in math and science, architecture was a clear choice. Shawn enrolled in the architecture program at Georgia Tech and graduated with a Bachelor of Architecture in 1995. After working for a few years at architectural firm Cunningham, Forehand, Matthews & Moore, where he had interned during college, Shawn decided to complete his Master of Architecture and pursue a Bachelor of Construction Management. He felt learning more about construction management, in particular, would make him a better architect and give him a “leg up in solving problems.” In 2005, Shawn joined Perkins + Will’s K-12 practice. He has developed passion and expertise in sustainable 30 i Build 2011
design, and was the architect for Arabia Mountain High School, the first LEED-silver certified high school in the state of Georgia. Arabia Mountain project superintendent, Turner Construction’s Caleb Jakushev, says that working with Shawn was one of the best parts about the project. “I learned so much from him,” says Caleb. “He truly understands how to design functional buildings and was a great help during construction of the school.” Shawn likens his role as Sr. Project Architect to that of a symphony director. “The director may not know how to play the flute himself,” Shawn remarks, “but he knows when it should come in and how it should sound.” Throughout the project, owners, engineers, general contractors, subcontractors must all work in concert. Teamwork, Shawn believes, is critical for success, and it is precisely what he enjoys about his job. “Everyday I work with creative people who think so differently,” Shawn says. “I learn so
Architect at a Glance Education requirements: Bachelor of Architecture Typical Career Path: Intern Architect / Designer Sr. Architect Partner Salary Range: $45,000 – 100,000+ much from my exchange with colleagues.” Openness to learning is one of the factors Shawn cites as important for success. “My first boss told me,” he recalls, “the day you think you know everything is the day your career is over.” When asked which project is his favorite, Shawn answers “my current project— whichever one I am working on at the moment.” Each project offers a new chance to learn and create something
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tangible and substantial. “It’s satisfying
users for whom health, safety, and wel-
and keeps him engaged today. With the
to say ‘I helped build that’,” says Shawn.
fare are critical as well as the environ-
many aspects and moving parts on a
ment
community.
project, Shawn says a sense of humor is
ates the ownership he is able to take on
“Architecture,” Shawn says, “encom-
critical. “Not everything is as serious as
a project. He takes a holistic view of
passes so much. Math. Art. Science -
it might seem at first. Problems can be
design, focusing not just on the look and
Chemistry. Physics.” This combination of
solved. Humor injects a little levity into
functionality of the building, but also the
disciplines drew Shawn to the profession
a situation.” O
At Perkins + Will, Shawn appreci-
and
larger
Shawn on Careers Why choose architecture: •
Encompasses art, math, and science
•
Makes an impact on communities
•
Offers constant challenges and opportuni-
Keys to success: •
Passion
•
Desire to investigate and learn
•
Put safety first on the agenda
•
Sense of humor
ties to learn Advice for students: •
Don’t limit yourself.
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Tyler Simmons
Lineman Georgia Power Lineman Takes it to the Top When Tyler Simmons graduated f r o m Southland Academy in 2001, he went straight into the world of work. He enjoyed being outside and working with his hands, so he found a job as a heavy equipment operator. After four years, though, he was ready for a change. A number of Tyler’s friends worked for Georgia Power as linemen and talked often about how much they liked their jobs. He was interested, and he pursued the opportunity at just the right time. Georgia Power and South Georgia Technical College had collaborated to develop a seven-week Electrical Lineworker Apprentice Certification (ELAC) course. The course, which is also now offered at North Georgia Technical College, DeKalb Technical 32 i Build 2011
College, and Okefenokee Technical College, covers fundamentals of the trade. Students receive training on climbing, commercial driver’s license requirements, lineworker equipment, and real-world lineworker simulations. They come out of the course prepared for Georgia Power’s Linemen Development Program (LDP), a rigorous five-year apprenticeship program. After successfully completing the first ELAC course offered at South Georgia Technical College, Tyler started as an LDP apprentice. In 2010, he turned out as a journeyman lineman. His investment of time and hard work has been worth it. “I like everything about the job,” Tyler says. “The pay. Being in the bucket. A new challenge everyday.” Linemen weather the storms, literally, for the community. Regardless of the type of day, they do the work to keep the community powered and operating. Their work is rarely in the same place, something
Georgia Power Lineman at a Glance Education requirements: Education requirements: Electrical Lineworker Apprentice Certification course at local technical college; Linemen Development Program Typical Career Path: Apprentice Journeyman Lineman Supervisor Salary Range: $33,000 - $60,000 + Tyler enjoys. “I like getting to know the community. We go somewhere different everyday,” he says. “When you bring the lights back on, it’s nice to see the look on people’s faces.” Tyler has made good friends with his fellow linemen. “We are like one big family,” he describes. “It makes it easy to go through the day when you are with people you like.” The lineman
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trade requires problem-solving abilities, keen awareness of safety issues, and patience. It’s demanding and rewarding. Completing the apprenticeship program is a significant accomplishment and stepping-stone to a challenging, exciting, and well-paid job. With good performance, lineman can
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typically expect a long career with a utility company. Tyler has observed senior team members to learn the job. “A successful lineman,” he says, “works hard, pays attention to what’s going on, and listens to people. In terms of career development, Tyler is confident that
Tyler on Careers Why choose Lineman Work: •
Good pay
•
Challenging
•
Something different everyday
•
Get to know the community
there
are
good
opportunities
at
Georgia Power to do different jobs and work his way up.
“Right now, I like
being where I am,” he says. “Maybe one day, I might want to go into lighting sales. I’ll see.” O
Keys to success: •
Pay attention
•
Learn by observing
•
Listen
•
Work hard
Advice for students: •
Do something you like.
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Brandon Tolbert Electrical Contractor Fast Track to the Top At 18-years-old, Brandon Tolbert was working at Publix when he saw a team of electricians troubleshooting a problem in the store. A young guy in his early 20s was leading the team. “That’s what I want to do,” Brandon thought. “Those guys, to me, were the coolest guys in the world.” This experience pushed Brandon to make a change. He picked up a phone book and started calling electrical companies to ask about work. After three months without any progress, Brandon called Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC). Within half an hour, he had signed up for the apprenticeship program and found a job with Rogers Electric, one of Atlanta’s largest electrical contractors. Now, ten years later, Brandon runs his own electrical contracting company, AC Electrical Contractors. “At the beginning, I set a goal for myself to own my own company,” Brandon says. “When I was an apprentice, people would often laugh when I 34 i Build 2011
said I wanted to own my own business. Give it twenty years, one guy said.” For Brandon, it took just seven. At IEC, Brandon flourished, winning an academic achievement award and the Apprentice of the Year award. After turning out as a journeyman wireman, Brandon began teaching in the IEC apprenticeship program. At Rogers Electric he proved himself quickly and became the go-to-guy for solving problems. He continued to focus on his goal to start his own company, and took a job as a foreman at Elite Lighting to develop his supervisory skills. After a year, he felt he was ready to go out on his own. He talked with a mentor at IEC for advice. “He told me I wasn’t ready. He said I needed to work as a project manager. I didn’t want to hear that, but I did what he said.” After working for Pepco as a project manager for a year, Brandon opened his own business. He applied for his contractor’s
Electrical Contractor at a Glance Education requirements: Completion of accredited electrical apprenticeship program such as Independent Electrical Contractors program; contractor’s license Typical Career Path: Apprentice Electrician Foreman Project Manager Contractor / Owner Salary Range: $20,000 – unlimited license with the state of Georgia and started AC Electrical Contractors. In just three years Brandon has grown his company to twelve employees, five of which are apprentices. In his first year of business, Brandon was in the field with his team. As he won more projects in his
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second year, it became clear to Brandon that he needed to move out of the field to manage the business. Now in his third year, Brandon is hiring an accountant and office manager so he can focus on growing the business. Brandon continues to set aggressive goals for himself. In 2011 he wants to double his revenue and win bigger jobs. His ultimate goal is to become the
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largest electrical contractor in the metro Atlanta area. At the rate he is going, this does not sound like a stretch. In reflecting on the rapid pace of his career development, Brandon says he has achieved his personal goals through his ambition. “I asked for opportunities. I proved myself. Then I asked for more.” When hiring new employees, Brandon looks for personal drive and
Brandon on Careers Why own an electrical contracting business: •
Be your own boss
•
Make your own money
•
See the results of your hard work
•
Go as far as your ambition takes you
willingness to work hard, the very qualities that account for his success. Brandon strives for success by pushing himself out of his comfort zone. “Someone once told me that nothing great was ever accomplished inside the comfort zone. When I start to feel comfortable. I get a little nervous and know it’s time to set a new goal.” O
Keys to success: •
Personal drive
•
Willingness to work hard
•
Setting goals for yourself
Advice for students: •
Find something that gives you motivation
•
Do something you enjoy; something that fits you
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There are more than 300 high school and technical college construction-related training programs in the state of Georgia. Sixty-seven (67) of those programs have achieved the designation of CEFGA/NCCER-Accredited Training Program, placing them in the top 20-percent of all programs in Georgia. On behalf of the construction industry, we applaud those teachers and programs who have worked so hard to become industry accredited. Thank you! Adairsville High School (Bartow County) 519 Old Highway 41 Adairsville, GA 30103 (770) 606-5841 Instructor: Ron Williams ron.williams@bartow.k12.ga.us Trades: Carpentry, Electrical, Masonry, Plumbing Apalachee High School (Barrow County) 940 Haymon Morris Road Winder, GA 30680 (770) 586-5111 Instructor: Samuel Young samuel.young@barrow.k12.ga.us Trades: Carpentry, Electrical, Masonry, Plumbing Appling County High School (Appling County) 482 Blackshear Hwy Baxley, GA 31513-9200 (912) 367-8610 Instructor: Charles Vann clvann@appling.k12.ga.us Trades: Sheet Metal, Welding Baldwin Area Vocational School (Baldwin County) 155 Highway 49 West Milledgeville, GA 31061 (478) 453-6429 Instructor: Cedric Salisbury csalisbury@baldwin.k12.ga.us Trades: Carpentry, Electrical, Masonry, Plumbing Brunswick High School (Glynn County) 3920 Habersham Street Brunswick, GA 31520 (912) 267-4100 Instructor: Todd Hunnewell thunnewe@glynn.k12.ga.us Trades: Sheet Metal, Welding Burke County High School (Burke County) 789 Burke Veterans Parkway Waynesboro GA 30830 706-554-5101 38 i Build 2011
Instructor: Jeff Johnson jjohnson@burke.k12.ga.us Trades: Carpentry, Electrical, Masonry, Plumbing Cairo High School (Grady County) 455 Fifth Street, NE Cairo, GA 39828 (229) 377-2044 Instructor: Todd Gainous to.gainous@grady.k12.ga.us Trades: Carpentry, Electrical, Masonry, Plumbing Camden County High School (Camden County) 1585 Laural Island Parkway Kingsland, GA 31548 (912) 729-7318 Instructor: Carlos Jones Sr. cjones@camden.k12.ga.us Trades: Carpentry, Electrical, Masonry, Plumbing Camden County High School (Camden County) 1585 Laural Island Parkway Kingsland, GA 31548 (912) 729-7318 Instructor: Carl Jones Jr. cjwelder@hotmail.com Trades: Sheet Metal, Welding Carver High School (Muscogee County) 3100 8th Street Columbus, GA 31906 (706) 748-2499 Instructor: James Brooks jrbrooks@mcsdga.net Trades: Sheet Metal, Welding Cass High School (Bartow County) 738 Grassdale Road Cartersville, GA 30120 (770) 606-5845 Instructor: Daryl Jones darryl.jones@bartow.k12.ga.us Trades: Sheet Metal, Welding
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Central Education Center (Coweta County) 160 Martin Luther King Dr Newnan, GA 30263 (678) 423-2000 Instructor: Tom Barnett tom.barnett@cowetaschools.net Trades: Carpentry, Electrical, Masonry, Plumbing Chestatee High School (Hall County) 3005 Sardis Road Gainesville, GA 30506 (770) 532-1162 Instructor: Baker Pulliam baker.pulliam@hallco.org Trades: Carpentry, Electrical, Masonry, Plumbing Dekalb High School of Technology North (Dekalb County) 1995 Womack Road Dunwoody, GA 30338 (678) 874-8402 Instructor: Calvin Gray calvin.gray@fc.dekalb.k12.ga.us Trades: Carpentry, Electrical, Masonry, Plumbing East Hall High School (Hall County) 3534 E Hall Rd Gainesville, GA 30507 (770) 536-9921 Instructor: Jeff Little jeff.little@hallco.org Trades: Carpentry, Electrical, Masonry, Plumbing East Laurens High School (Lauren County) 930 Highway 80 East East Dublin, Georgia 31027 (478) 272 – 1201 Instructor: Dean Cutler deancutler@lcboe.net Trades: Carpentry, Electrical, Masonry, Plumbing Effingham County High School (Effingham County) 1220 Noel Conway Road
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Guyton, GA 31312 (912) 754-6404 Instructor: Les Pierce lpierce@effingham.k12.ga.us Trades: Carpentry, Electrical, Masonry, Plumbing Etowah High School (Cherokee County) 6565 Putnam Ford Drive Woodstock, GA 30189 (770) 926-4411 Instructor: David Wilkins david.wilkins@cherokee.k12.ga.us Trades: Carpentry, Electrical, Masonry, Plumbing Evans High School (Columbia County) 4550 Cox Road Evans, Ga 30809 (706) 863-1198 Instructor: Thomas Wilson thomas.wilson@ccboe.net Trades: Sheet Metal, Welding Floyd County Vocational High School (Floyd County) 100 Vocational Drive Rome, GA 30165-9785 (706) 236-1860 Instructor: Joe Carter jcarter@floyd.boe.net Trades: Carpentry, Electrical, Masonry, Plumbing Floyd County Vocational High School (Floyd County) 100 Vocational Drive Rome, GA 30165-9785 (706) 236-1860 Instructor: Chesley Chambers cchambers@floydboe.net Trades: Sheet Metal, Welding Forest Park High School (Clayton County) 5452 Phillips Drive Forest Park, GA 30297 (404) 362-3890 Instructor: Gerald Wread gwread@clayton.k12.ga.us
Trades: Carpentry, Electrical, Masonry, Plumbing Frankiln County High School (Franklin County) 6570 Hwy 145 Carnesville, GA 30521 (706) 384-4525 Instructor: Tim Cawthon tcawthon@franklin.k12.ga.us Trades: Carpentry, Electrical, Masonry, Plumbing Franklin County High School (Franklin County) 6570 Hwy 145 Carnesville, GA 30521 (706) 384-4525 Instructor: Wayne Ertzberger wertzberger@franklin.k12.ga.us Trades: Sheet Metal, Welding Gainesville High School (Gainesville City) 830 Century Place Gainesville, GA 30501 (770) 536-4441 Instructor: Darrell Lucas/Keith Vincent Darrell.Lucas@gcssk12.net Trades: Carpentry, Electrical, Masonry, Plumbing Greene County High School (Greene County) 1002 South Main Street Greensboro, GA 30642 (706) 453-2271 Hardaway High School (Muscogee County) 2901 College Drive Columbus, GA 31906 (706) 748-2766 Instructor: Ben Lowe Benlowe@mcsdga.net Trades: Carpentry, Electrical, Masonry, Plumbing
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Harlem High School (Columbia County) 1070 Harlem Appling Highway Harlem, GA 30814 (706) 556-5980 Instructor: Carroll Morris cmorris@ccboe.net Trades: Carpentry, Electrical, Masonry, Plumbing Hepzibah High School (Richmond County) 4558 Brothersville Road Hepzibah, GA 30815 (706) 592-2089 Instructor: Trey Holden HoldeWi@BOE.Richmond.k12.ga.us Trades: Sheet Metal, Welding Jackson High School (Butts County) 717 South Harkness Street Jackson, Ga 30233 (770) 504-2340 Instructor: Sonny Braswell braswells@butts.k12.ga.us Trades: Carpentry, Electrical, Masonry, Plumbing Jones County High School (Jones County) 210 Stewart Ave Gray, GA 31032 (478) 986-5444 Instructor: Nick Dipaolo ddipaolo@jones.k12.ga.us Trades: Carpentry, Electrical, Masonry, Plumbing Jordan Vocational High School (Muscogee County) 3200 Howard Ave Columbus, GA 31904 (706) 748-2829 Instructor: Steve Potts/Michael McCraine spotts@mcsdga.net / tmccraine@mcsdga.net Trades: Carpentry, Electrical, Masonry, Plumbing Jordan Vocational High School (Muscogee County) 3200 Howard Avenue Columbus, GA 31904 (706) 748-2819 Instructor: Joe Carter jmcarter@mcsdga.net Trades: Sheet Metal, Welding Lee County High School (Lee County) 370 Leslie Highway Leesburg, GA 31763 40 i Build 2011
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(229) 903—3590 Instructor: Jim Steel steelja@lee.k12.ga.us Trades: CORE and Introduction to Construction Lee County High School (Lee County) 1 Trojan Way Leesburg, GA 31763 (229) 903—2260 Instructor: David Swain swainda@lee.k12.ga.us Trades: Carpentry, Electrical, Masonry, Plumbing Lee County High School (Lee County) One Trojan Way Leesburg, GA 31763 (229) 903-2275 Instructor: Ray Dell dellra@lee.k12.ga.us Trades: Sheet Metal, Welding Lovejoy High School (Clayton County) 1587 McDonough Road Lovejoy, GA 30250 (770) 473-2920 Instructor: Price Jacobs pjacobs@clayton.k12.ga.us Trades: Carpentry, Electrical, Masonry, Plumbing Maxwell High School of Tech. (Gwinnett County) 990 McElvaney Lane Lawrenceville, GA 30044 (770) 943-6838 Instructors: Tony Shore tony_shore@gwinnett.k12.ga.us Trades: Carpentry, Electrical, Masonry, Plumbing Maxwell High School (Gwinnett County) 990 McElvaney Lane Lawrenceville, GA 30044 (770) 943-6838 Instructor: John Jacobs john_jacobs@gwinnett.k12.ga.us Trades: Sheet Metal, Welding McEachern High School (Cobb County) 2400 New MacLand Road Powder Springs, GA 30127 (770) 222-3710 Instructor: Kelly Almond Kelly.Almond@cobbk12.org Trades: Carpentry, Electrical, Masonry, Plumbing
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Monroe High School (Dougherty County) 900 Lippit Drive Albany, GA 31701 (229) 431-3316 Instructors: Donald Wright Trades: Sheet Metal, Welding Monroe High School (Dougherty County) 900 Lippit Drive Albany, GA 31701 (229) 431-3316 Instructor: Jim Ouzts Travis.Ouzts@docoschools.org Trades: HVACR Moultrie Technical College (Colquitt County) 361 Industrial Drive Moultrie, GA 31768 (229) 891-7000 Instructor: Jason Edwards jedwards@moultrietech.edu Trades: Carpentry, Electrical, Plumbing Mount Zion High School (Clayton County) 2535 Mt. Zion Road Blvd. Jonesboro, GA 30236 (770) 473-5092 Trades: Carpentry, Electrical, Masonry, Plumbing North Hall High School (Hall County) 4885 Mt. Vernon Road Gainesville, GA 30506 ( 770) 983-7331 Instructor: Daniel Bohmer daniel.bohmer@hallco.org Trades: Carpentry, Electrical, Masonry, Plumbing Osborne High School (Cobb County) 2451 Favor Road Marietta, GA 30060 ( 770) 437-5900 Instructor: Ron Harris ronald.harris@cobbk12.org Trades: Carpentry, Electrical, Masonry, Plumbing Paulding County High School (Paulding County) 1297 Villa Rica Hwy Dallas, GA 30132 (770) 473-5092 Instructor: Denver Hulsey dhulsey@paulding.k12.ga.us Trades: Carpentry, Electrical, Masonry, Plumbing
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Pickens County High School (Pickens County) 500 Dragon Drive Jasper, GA 30143 (706) 253-1800 Instructor: John Tatum johntatum@pickens.k12.ga.us Trades: Carpentry, Electrical, Masonry, Plumbing Pickens County High School (Pickens County) 500 Dragon Drive Jasper, GA 30143 (706) 253-1800 Instructor: Tommy Tatum tommytatum@pickens.k12.ga.us Trades: Carpentry, Electrical, Masonry, Plumbing Shaw High School (Muscogee County) 7579 Raider Way Columbus, GA 31909 (706) 569-3638 Instructor: Bob Yarbrough rfyarbrough@mcsdga.net Trades: Carpentry, Electrical, Masonry, Plumbing South Cobb High School (Cobb County) 1920 Clay Road Austell, GA 30106 (770) 819-2611 Instructor: Ike Gilbert Immanuel.Gilbert@cobbk12.org Trades: Carpentry, Electrical, Masonry, Plumbing South Effingham High School (Effingham County) 1220 Noel C. Conaway Road Guyton, GA 31312 (912) 728-7511 Instructor: Kevin Strickland kstrickland@effingham.k12.ga.us Trades: Carpentry, Electrical, Masonry, Plumbing Statesboro High School (Bulloch County) 10 Lester Road Statesboro, GA 30458 (912) 764-3351 Instructor: Charles Fales cfales@bulloch.k12.ga.us Trades: Carpentry, Electrical, Masonry, Plumbing
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Technical Education Center (Carroll County) 1075 Newnan Road Carrollton, GA 30117 (770) 832-8380 Instructor: Johnny Jackson johnny.jackson@carrollcountyschools.com Trades: Carpentry, Electrical, Masonry, Plumbing Technical Education Center (Carroll County) 1075 Newnan Road Carrollton, GA 30177 (770) 832-8380 Instructor: Tom Ballenger tom.ballenger@carrollcountyschools..com Trades: HVACR Thomas County Central High School (Thomas County) 4686 US 84 Bypass Thomasville, GA 31792 (229) 255-5050 Instructor: Chuck Mitchell cmitchell@thomas.k12.ga.us Trades: Carpentry, Electrical, Masonry, Plumbing Tift County High School (Tift County) One Blue Devil Way Tifton, GA 31794 (912) 387-9700 Instructor: Roy Willis rwillis@tiftschools.com Trades: Carpentry, Electrical, Masonry, Plumbing Tift County High School (Tift County) One Blue Devil Way Tifton, GA 31794 (912) 387-9700 Instructors: John Tucker jtucker@tiftschools.com Trades: Sheet Metal, Welding Upson-Lee High School (Upson County) 268 Knight Trl Thomaston, GA 30286 (706) 647-8171 Instructor: John Penny jpenny@upson.k12.ga.us Trades: Carpentry, Electrical, Masonry, Plumbing
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Valdosta High School 101 North Forrest Street Valdosta, GA 31602-7099 (229) 333-8500 Washington County High School (Washington County) 420 Riddleville Rd Sandersville, GA (478) 552-2324 Instructor: Antonio Young Antonio.Young@washington.k12.ga.us Trades: Carpentry, Electrical, Masonry, Plumbing Wayne County High School (Wayne County) One Jacket Drive Jesup, GA 31545 (912) 427-1096 Instructor: Chad Hall chall@wayne.k12.ga.us Trades: Carpentry, Electrical, Masonry, Plumbing Wayne County High School (Wayne County) One Jacket Drive Jeup, GA 31545 (912) 387-9700 Instructors: Bruce Harris bharris@wayne.k12.ga.us Trades: Sheet Metal, Welding West Hall High School (Hall County) 5506 McEver Rd Oakwood, GA 30566 (770) 967-9826 Instructor: Mike Maddsen mike.madsen@hallco.org Trades: Carpentry, Electrical, Masonry, Plumbing Westside High School (Bibb County) 2581 Heath Rd Macon, GA 31206 (478) 779-3826 Instructor: Glen Ford gford.westside@bibb.k12.ga.us Trades: Carpentry, Electrical, Masonry, Plumbing
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