Skills Challenge attracts more than 250 high school construction students

MOULTRIE –  For hundreds of area students, the 2025 AGC South + Southwest Georgia Skills Challenge was a chance to display their talents in construction skills and get a look at what a career in one of those fields could mean for their futures.

The students competed in the areas of carpentry, electrical, plumbing, masonry, welding, cabinet-making and blueprint during the eighth challenge held in Moultrie. 

“We’re trying to build the work force of tomorrow and the years to come,” Lyndy Jones, president of JCI General Contractors, one of the sponsors of the Moultrie event, said.

With about 75% of the industry’s work force made up of Baby Boomers who are moving toward retirement, the students who are pursuing work in construction are the future of the industry, Jones said.

“There’s becoming a huge gap in our work force,” he said. “It’s a serious thing with us. It’s not about finding the work, it’s about finding the people to produce it.”

That means there will be plenty of job openings for skilled workers who can use a hammer, trowel, welding torch or other tools.

Staff Photos: Alan Mauldin – More than 250 students took part in the eighth AGC South + Southwest Skills Challenge held on Thursday in Moultrie. The competition brought together students from 21 southwest Georgia schools, with winners moving on to compete in the state event in February.

“If you’ve got a good work ethic and the skills, you can name your price,” Jones said. “The need is there.’

Another benefit of working in one of the construction trades is that, unlike college students, workers will be able to get a job without massive debt, AGC Georgia Executive Vice President Zach Fields said.

Students can get training in school and more training on the job after high school or get free training through a technical college, he said. Most of the students at the skills challenge are either enrolled in a high school career technical and agricultural education program or dual enrolled at a local technical school.

“We’re trying to show the future generation what the opportunities are,” Jones said. “It’s a great career, and more and more students are choosing these trades.”

Technical education is even being taught these days in middle schools and even at the elementary-school level, he said, and proceeds from the challenge will go to providing equipment for those programs. Statewide, 500 to 600 elementary school students are taking classes.

Top-three finishers in Thursday’s event will move on to the state competition in February 2026. The top competitors at the state level will compete in the national skills challenge in June.

Among the welding competitors was Jayden Beckom, a student at Harris County High School.

“I just came out here because I wanted to compete and see how these other guys are doing and hopefully get some job opportunities,” the high school junior said.

Christopher Lazenby, a junior from Thompson, was also eager to take part in the competition in stringer and weave welding.

“I did it one year in school. and I just loved doing it,” he said. “So I got on the competition team.”