In summer 2020, CEFGA introduced a weekly live discussion series hosted by Kayleen McCabe, contractor and host of DYI Network’s “Rescue Renovation.” Guests from throughout Georgia joined Kayleen for video chats designed to highlight the many career opportunities available in construction. View the 2021 series here.
June 16: Pursuing a Career in the Skilled Trades
Guest: Evan McGee, Field Coordinator, Holder Construction Co.
Questions/Followup: Email k12pipeline@cefga.org
June 23: What Can Trade Schools Do for You?
Guest: Chuck Little, Human Resources Director, Atlanta Electrical Contractors Association
Questions/Followup: Email Little@atlantaelectrical or info@cefga.org, or text “careerpath” to 31996
June 30: Training and Networking: How to Get a Real Job in the Skilled Trades
Guest: Jeremy Whitaker, Recruitment & Development Manager, C.W. Matthews Contracting Co.
Questions/Followup: Email jwhitaker@cwmattews.com or info@cefga.org, or text “careerpath” to 31996
July 7: Truths and Misconceptions: Careers in the Skilled Trades
Guest: Ben McGhee, Plumbing and Mechanical Superintendent, Gold Mech Inc.
Questions/Followup: Visit www.goldmech.com; email info@cefga.org or text “careerpath” to 31996
July 14: Careers in the Skilled Trades: It’s Not What You Think!
Guests: Bob Bradley, Mechanical Contractors Association of Georgia, and Jeff Rogers, Mechanical Trades Institute
Questions/Followup: Email bob.b.mcag@gmail.com or jeff.mti@72jatt.com; text “careerpath” to 31996
July 21: How to Make Money While Attending College
Guests: Courtney Moser, Thomson High School CTAE Teacher, and Joe Jibreen, JE Dunn Construction
Questions/Followup: Email info@cefga.org or text “careerpath” to 31996
July 28: Building Your Talent Pipeline
Guests: Theresa Schroder, Turner Construction Company, and Laura Skellie, JE Dunn Construction
Questions/Followup: Email info@cefga.org or text “careerpath” to 31996
August 4: Back to School with SkillsUSA
Guest: Chelle Travis, Skills USA Executive Director
Questions/Followup: For SkillsUSA information, contact Chelle directly at SkillsUSA’s Ask Chelle page, or visit the homepage at www.skillsusa.org; for information on the skilled trades, text “careerpath” to 31996 or email info@cefga.org.
August 18: Be Pro Be Proud Georgia
Guests: Misti Martin, Cherokee Office of Economic Development, and Scott Callaway, Be Pro Be Proud Georgia
Questions/Followup: Visit beprobeproudga.org/news and click the “Book a Tour Stop” button to schedule a visit to your school from the Be Pro Be Proud bus. For more information on the skilled trades, text “careerpath” to 31996 or email info@cefga.org.
August 25: Career Focus – Plumbing and HVAC
Guest: Jay Cunningham, President and Owner, Superior Plumbing; and Bernie Joerger, Director, Comfort Air Cooling and Heating
Questions/Followup: Visit www.constructionready.us, email info@cefga.org or text “careerpath” to 31996.
September 1: Women in the Trades
Guests: Lisa Willis, National Association of Women in Construction
Questions/Followup: Visit nawicatlanta.org and follow @thatmasonrygirl on Instagram. For more information on the skilled trades, text “careerpath” to 31996 or email info@cefga.org.
September 8: Talking with Counselors about Your Future
Guests: Quita Jones, Lowndes Middle School, and Sharmonti Rizer, Wiregrass Technical College
Questions/Followup: Visit wiregrass.edu and wiregrass.edu/academics/apprenticeships. For more information on the skilled trades, text “careerpath” to 31996 or email info@cefga.org.
September 15: Catching up with NCCER
Guest: Jennifer Wilkerson, NCCER Senior Director of Innovation and Advancements
Questions/Followup: Visit nccer.org and byf.org; for details on the new NCCER Scholarship, click here; for career path information, click here.
September 29: Talking Skilled Trades with HGTV’s Josh Temple
Guests: Josh Temple, “House Crashers,” and Tony Jones, BoysTown
Questions/Followup: Visit boystown.org/tradelife for information on BoysTown; for more information on the skilled trades, text “careerpath” to 31996 or email info@cefga.org.
October 6: Discussing the First Joint Partnership to Introduce the Next Generation to the Skilled Trades
Guest:Ayana Gabriel, The Arthur M Blank Family Foundation
Questions/Followup: Text “careerpath” to 31996 or email info@cefga.org
October 13: Visiting with ACTE (Association for Career and Technical Education) on the State and National Levels
Guests: Jody Reeves, Georgia Association ACTE, and LeAnn Wilson, National ACTE
Questions/Followup: Visit acteonline.org or gacte.org; text “careerpath” to 31996; email info@cefga.org.
October 20: Job Site Tour with JE Dunn Construction
Guest: Paul Telehany, JE Dunn Construction
Questions/Followup: Text “careerpath” to 31996 or email info@cefga.org
October 27: CareerSafe (OSHA safety training)
Guest: Katie George, Director of Educational Services, CareerSafe
Questions/Followup: Visit careersafeonline.com for information on CareerSafe. Interested in a career in the skilled trades? Text “careerpath” to 31996 or email info@cefga.org.
November 10: Video Tour of Plant Vogtle
Guest: Mike McCracken, Southern Nuclear
Questions/Followup: Visit rccllc.us, where Richmond County Constructors is hiring for the Plant Vogtle Units 3 and 4 nuclear expansion project near Waynesboro, Georgia. For more information on careers in the energy industry and other skilled trade disciplines, text “careerpath” to 31996 or email info@cefga.org.
November 10: Georgia Association of Water Professionals
Guest: Chrissy Rubel and Emily Camp
Questions/Followup: Go to h2opportunity.net to learn more about career paths in water protection. For info on construction careers in general, text “careerpath” to 31996 or email info@cefga.org.
December 1: Explore the Trades
Guest: Kate Cinnamo
Questions/Followup: Visit Explore the Trades for more information on careers in the plumbing, heating, cooling and electrical trades. For info on construction careers in general, text “careerpath” to 31996 or email info@cefga.org.
December 8: Career Opportunities with Holder Construction
Guest: Jon Lewis
Questions/Followup: Learn more about the company at Holder Construction; for information on careers in the skilled trades, text “careerpath” to 31996 or email info@cefga.org.
