Northwest Georgia Students Build Their Futures at 7th Annual AGC Central Georgia Skills Challenge

he Associated General Contractors of Georgia (AGC Georgia), in partnership with Duffey Southeast, Inc. and RaLin, will host hundreds of high school construction students from 14 Northwest Georgia counties for the annual Northwest Georgia Skills Challenge on Tuesday, Nov. 4, beginning at 8:00 a.m. at the Rome River Center (301 Tribune Street).

The event is one of eight regional Skills Challenges held across Georgia, bringing together more than 2,000 students from over 100 schools statewide to showcase their talents in the construction trades.

At the Rome event, competitors will demonstrate their abilities in Blueprint Reading, Cabinetmaking, Carpentry, Electrical, Masonry, Metal Studs/Drywall, Plumbing, TeamWorks, Welding, and Welding Fabrication.

“We’re proud to partner with AGC Georgia, RaLin, and local industry to host this exciting event,” said Dan Baker, CEO of Duffey Southeast, Inc. “All our organizations share the goal of building our future workforce and inspiring the next generation to pursue rewarding careers in construction.”

More than 200 students will compete in this year’s Northwest Georgia Skills Challenge, while another 100 students will attend as observers—gaining valuable exposure to the industry and connecting with professionals who are leading hands-on, interactive activities throughout the day.

“High school instructors in construction-related programs are on the front lines of promoting careers in our industry,” said Zach Fields, Executive Vice President of AGC Georgia. “They work tirelessly to equip their students with real-world skills and prepare them for the ‘game day’ experience of Skills Challenges. It’s truly inspiring to see these young men and women demonstrate their trade talents in such a dynamic setting.”

Students from construction programs in Bartow, Carroll, Catoosa, Chattooga, Dade, Floyd, Gilmer, Gordon, Haralson, Murray, Pickens, Polk, Walker, and Whitfield counties are invited to participate.

Competitors who are members of SkillsUSA Georgia in the Cabinetmaking, Carpentry, Electrical, Masonry, Plumbing, TeamWorks, Welding, and Welding Fabrication categories will also have the opportunity to earn a bid to the SkillsUSA Georgia State Leadership and Skills Competition (SLSC), scheduled for February 2026.

The Northwest Georgia Skills Challenge offers a dynamic look at how local students are preparing to meet the state’s growing construction workforce needs—one skill, one project, and one future builder at a time.