At a press conference on Wednesday, August 11 at 10:00 a.m., WorkSource Macon-Bibb will announce a new opportunity for people to learn construction skills that will lead to a great paying job. The press conference will be held at the intersection of Tindall Avenue and Elizabeth Street in the new Tindall Fields development. A map with the location is below.

The Construction Education Foundation of Georgia (CEFGA) will expand its “Construction Ready” program into the Macon-Bibb region beginning August 24, 2021. Construction Ready takes Georgians through a free 20-day construction education program that ends with training, credentialing, and job placement. 

The program will be held at The Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling Contractors of Georgia (2688 Roff Avenue) beginning August 30, and people have until August 20 to sign up. For more information and to sign up, click here. 

“We are very excited that CEFGA is expanding into the Macon-Bibb and Middle Georgia area. The Construction Ready training program will provide individuals an opportunity to gain the skills necessary to obtain a sustainable wage in the construction industry,” says Chairman of the Workforce Development Board Lauren Roan-Parks. “Additionally, this partnership will help address the inadequate supply of construction workers.”

“A person can have a great, lifelong career in construction, with lots of opportunity for promotions and higher pay, and we have a need locally for people with the right training,” says Macon-Bibb County Mayor and Chief Local Elected Official (CLEO) for WorkSource Macon-Bibb Lester Miller. “If you’re looking for a career with a great future or a rewarding career change, I encourage you to check out this free opportunity to get your foot in the door.”

The Construction Ready Training Program is a free, four-week program designed to train unemployed or under-skilled Georgia residents for careers in the construction industry. Graduates are connected with top construction companies through a hiring fair near the end fo the program, and the Employer Engagement Team follows up with the graduate and employer throughout the year. 

Through the program, graduates can earn up to eight industry credentials, including National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) Core Credential, OSHA 10-Hour Card, First Aid/CPR/BB/AED Certification, Powder Actuated Tool Certification, Laser Tool Certification, Forklift Safety Awareness Credential, A.T.S.S.A. Utility Flagger Certification, and Competent Person Training In Fall Protection Credential.

A candidate for the program must have a resume, pass a drug screen and background check, be 18 years old, must be able to lift 50 pounds, pass the T.A.B.E. Test, have reliable transportation, and attend class all 20 days.  

Since 2014, CEFGA through the Construction Ready program has trained more than 1,000 workers of all ages for a successful career in construction. Successes of the program include: 

• ● 97% job placement by end of training;
• ● Average starting salary of $12-15/hour; and
• ● 70% of participants are employed in the construction industry one year later.