Successful Construction Careers Event Held in Atlanta
Nearly 50 job seekers and representatives from four local companies attended a skills showcase and hiring event for construction careers in Atlanta on August 1. The event, called a Combine, gave people interested in construction a chance to get hands-on experience with scaffolding and interior systems, learn about the carpenters apprenticeship program, and meet with companies that have job openings.
The event was held at the Atlanta Training Center, a facility run by the Southern District Training Trust Fund and the Carpenters and Millwrights Union. At this center, union apprentices learn important job skills for various trades.
Jordyn Walker, who currently works in security and has experience with electrical systems, was interested in an apprenticeship in carpentry. She attended the Combine to learn more about getting into a career in interior systems. “My experience today was positive overall. I got to meet with a few contractors, I learned how to do things that I didn’t know before, so it’s a win-win situation,” she said.
During the event, participants worked together to build and take apart scaffolding, measure and cut materials, use screw guns, and handle drywall. This gave them a chance to show their skills and how well they work with others. Potential employers watched and took notes on who they wanted to interview.
About 20 people interviewed for jobs during the event. All attendees were encouraged to join the carpentry or millwright apprenticeship programs to continue developing their skills. Companies at the event included Anning-Johnson, Performance Contracting, Inc. (PCI), CR Meyer, and Day and Zimmerman.
Israel Velazquez, an operations administrator with Anning-Johnson Atlanta, said his company was happy to support the Combine. “We hope to have some good candidates come out of this,” he said, adding that finding skilled workers is a constant challenge. His company is currently building data centers in the Atlanta area. “We struggle with manpower. We need the Union to continue to send us good employees. The benefit we see working with the Union is that we get skilled carpenters, and that helps a lot in the field.”
DeWalt, the tool manufacturer, also supported the event and provided door prizes for attendees, including drills and jobsite fans.
More Combine events are being planned across the southern district, including San Antonio and Houston For details on upcoming events as well as photos from the Atlanta Combine, visit www.sdttf.org/combine.
About the Southern District Training Trust Fund
The purpose of the Southern District Training Trust Fund is to “train tomorrow’s craftspeople.” With 28 training centers across 11 states (Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Florida), SDTTF programs are providing debt-free career building opportunities for professionals at all levels. Programs include classroom instruction as well as on-the-job, paid experiences in a variety of crafts, with an emphasis on safety and quality. Curriculum is regularly updated to keep pace with the needs of the industry so that program graduates are prepared to be elite construction professionals and jobsite leaders. Learn more at www.sdttf.org.
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