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.

They are committed to building a talent pipeline for the construction industry and 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.

CEFGA provides opportunities for teachers, students, and industry professionals to work together to help grow the construction industry.

CEFGA Career Expo & SkillsUSA Competition

At the 2011 Career Expo & SkillsUSA Competition, over 6,000 students, teachers and industry professionals visited "Design It", "Green It", "Energize It" and "Operate It" along with 12 different CSI Trade Categories (Plumbing, Masonry, Energy, Operations & Maintenance, Flooring, etc.).  With a focus on Arabia Mountain High School as the focus project, each area featured:

1. One or more 'green' elements of Arabia Mountain High School that are related to their trade or industry;
2. Career paths in that trade or industry, required training and education, salary ranges and earning potential; and
3. Communication of safety issues, highlighted procedures, processes, tools and equipment designed to keep worksite and employees safe.

During the event, USGBC-Georgia, CEFGA and SkillsUSA announced a new, Georgia-born SkillsUSA Competition called "Green YOUR School" for High School, Career Academy and Techical College students to compete in the 2012 SkillsUSA event.  Competition elements will teach students to:

1.  Audit, assess and create cost vs. ROI recommendations to improve the energy efficiency of their school building;

2.  Audit, assess and create cost vs. ROI recommendations to improve the water efficiency of their school buidlings; and

3.  Develop creative ways to implement programs that will improve the conservation behaviors of students, teachers and administrators as it relates to energy, water, recycling, and clean air schools.

To learn more about 'Green YOUR School' Competition, you can download this flyer - Green YOUR School Flyer .

Special thanks to Holder Construction, Choate Construction, MBA Waste, Southface Energy Institue, Southeast Link, Alterra, City of Atlanta Recycling, BOMA, and the Captain Planet Foundation for helping to make the GREEN IT! and OPERATE IT! areas a huge success at the 2011 Expo.