Building Market Slow Now, But Construction Industry Working to Create Pipeline for Skilled Workers

Aug. 8, 2011 - PRLog -- The building market may be tight right now, but Atlanta companies in construction, architecture and engineering are working hard to ensure our workforce has a strong supply of skilled young workers over the next 20 years.  Turner Construction Company, Skanska, Holder Construction, New South Construction and Gilbane are among the companies presenting at a Teacher Outreach Event on Saturday, August 27, demonstrating for teachers a range of mentoring and careers opportunities available for their students.  The program runs from 10 a.m. to Noon at Georgia Tech’s Sustainable Education Building, Room 316.

The event is part of the ACE Atlanta Mentor Program.  ACE (Architecture, Construction, Engineering) has been mentoring local students for five years, with caring industry professionals working to keep young students interested in careers in the industry.

For more information, please visit www.acementor.org or contact Theresa Schroeder at (404) 504-3706.  To RSVP to the event, contact Rachel Hendrix, Rachel.hendrix@skanska.com.

Teacher Outreach Event Overview:
• Free event for teachers to meet with Georgia Tech professors, industry experts.
• Recent ACE students will discuss the benefits they got from the program.
• Attendees will learn about the CEISMC Program at Georgia Tech and the Georgia Intern-Fellowship for Teachers (GIFT) program, a paid 4-7 week summer internship for science, math and technology teachers. Georgia Tech professor, Dr. Ioannis Brilakis, will be talking about this exciting opportunity for teachers.

Founded by the principals of leading design and construction firms, the ACE program engages, excites, and enlightens high school students to pursue careers in architecture, construction, and engineering.  Since its inception in 1994, the ACE Mentoring program has introduced more than 30,500 students to the industry through mentoring, scholarships, and grants.

Throughout the school year, ACE programs provide interactive, hands-on programs, taught by industry professionals.  Students learn about career opportunities, while competing for scholarships awards and internships.  The Atlanta program is one of several ACE programs Turner Construction supports across Georgia, including schools in Atlanta, Rockdale, DeKalb and Savannah.

Turner Construction, which is ranked as the #1 construction management firm in the nation by Engineering News Record, starts five ACE Mentor programs around the country each year, donating $10,000 to each local initiative.

“It’s vital that the industry mentors the next generation of our workforce,” says Theresa Schroeder, Community Affairs Director for Turner Construction.  “This workshop is designed to show teachers across Atlanta how the ACE program works, and how their students can grow into leadership roles in the construction industry.”

About Turner Construction Company
Turner Construction Company provides building services to institutions that recognize the value of a partner who works diligently and creatively to find the best possible solution for each particular project.  With construction volume of $8.2 billion in 2009, Turner ranks first or second in major segments of the construction industry. Turner maintains a nationwide network of offices and a staff of more than 5,500 employees, performing work on over 1,600 projects each year. Turner's nationwide presence offers clients the accessibility and support of a local firm with the strength, stability and resources of a national corporation.

Contact: Mitch Leff, (404) 861-4769, mitch@leffassociates.com