MACON, Ga. — The Associated General Contractors of Georgia brought together construction students from 26 surrounding high schools for the Central Georgia Workforce Development Alliance Skills Challenge.
Over 2,000 students were there competing against other students in trades-related competitions.
From carpentry, masonry, welding and even plumbing, these students had the chance to showcase their skills and compete with other schools in something they're passionate about.
"Right now, you can work anywhere in the country in construction and have great success, so it's our industry's responsibility to make sure we demonstrate the career path," Mike Dunham, CEO of AGC Georgia, said.
This challenge offers students the opportunity to learn from workers in the construction industry, helping students become familiar with the trades and possible career paths.
Dunham says it all starts with getting the future generation aware of how to break into the industry.
"We have to let them know where the jobs are, how much money you can make and what they need to know to be successful in it," he said.
Many students who competed are looking to build up their future.
They showed up and showed out, coming from all over Central Georgia to make connections and make a difference.
Sara Beasley is a Jones County High School junior and competed in the roof tile contest. She talked about the importance of women in the trades and breaking the male-oriented stereotype.
"It's pretty cool to learn how to do it and then actually be able to do it in the competition," Beasley said. "Looking around and seeing other females that aren't just me competing makes me feel a lot better. And then just doing the jobs in general, it just makes you feel like you have an importance."
Evin Brock is a student who competed in carpentry, and he said the trades need more people.
"We're running short of people in this trade these days," Brock said. "We need them. They're great people to have. And to me, without construction workers, we wouldn't have a world. They build the world so we need them and we need more of them."
But that's not stopping these students from constructing their lives.
Brock says the experience at the competition makes him excited for the future of the trades.
"It's a great community," Brock said. "I love seeing kids out here that want to go into the same trade as me. That makes me feel confident that we're gonna have some people that'll be able to do this kind of work"
Lee County High School took home most of the gold, while West Laurens High School came in 2nd and Jones County High School came in 3rd.
The region's SkillsUSA competition will take place in January.