We are excited that remodeling activity is now back in high gear in Atlanta and around the country. Atlanta Design & Build has been blessed with several major projects this year, and we hear similar reports from our NARI peers.
In conjunction with booming business, one of the issues that often comes up at NARI meetings is the shrinking labor pool. Many busy remodeling companies are faced with concerns that there aren’t enough skilled tradespeople to complete their projects. During the economic downturn several years ago, the construction workforce thinned dramatically as the recession impacted the construction industry. Talented workers often went back to school and/or sought new careers.
As National President of NARI, H. Dale Contant is having the opportunity to attend local NARI chapter meetings in several different states this year. He has learned how NARI chapters are encouraging and supporting the efforts of high schools and community colleges to attract new students to the construction field. Students are beginning to understand that remodeling can be an enjoyable, creative, lucrative and lifelong professional career.
Sydney speaks to the MAGIC group at Gwinnett Technical College
In our own state, Atlanta Design & Build has been actively supporting MAGIC (Mentoring A Girl in Construction), a Gwinnett Technical College program, by providing the volunteer services of our own Sydney Contant as keynote speaker. This free one-week summer day camp has been offered for six years now and is designed to introduce high school girls to exciting careers in construction. The girls are getting experience in welding, carpentry, electrical, heavy equipment, and safety. This year the girls got their hands-on experience by building a bench, toolbox, lamp and animal sculptures. Teaching life lessons such as work ethics and self-confidence is also part of the program. The camp makes students aware of the high demand for skilled construction workers and that women can help fill that need.
During Sydney’s presentation, the girls learn about her apprenticeship in the remodeling field to obtaining her NARI credentials as a Certified Remodeling Project Manager (CRPM) and her current job responsibilities as Project Manager with Atlanta Design & Build. Sydney’s enthusiasm for her work is contagious and has inspired many of the students. Get a glimpse into Sydney’s presentation on video here.
MAGIC was founded by Renee Conner who owns her own construction company and conducts camps like this across the country. The camp is hosted by the Sugarloaf Chapter of the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC). Our thanks goes out to these women who are having a wonderful, positive effect on the lives of other women and on the construction industry.
