The Construction Education Foundation of Georgia is holding its 13th annual Georgia Career Expo this week in what it hopes will showcase the many high-paying jobs found in the industry.

The Expo is expecting more than 5,000 students to attend. They’ll be exposed to more than 30 different career paths, according to 11alive.com, with many construction professionals hoping the two-day event opens some eyes to possibilities of working in an ever-present industry like construction.

“I believe construction is a worthwhile industry for young people to explore," says Dan Smith, CFO and EVP of Georgia-based New South Construction. "There are many jobs and the pay is very good. There is also a lot of job security in the construction industry. Construction jobs can’t be shipped overseas. These job sites are right here in our backyard.”

Smith told 11 Alive about a few specific careers in the industry in the lead up to the Expo.

  • Project Manager: This job requires a bachelor’s degree in construction management. Project managers use interpersonal communication skills, business skills and construction management skills to oversee construction logistics and to ensure that projects get completed. Project managers typically earn $80,000-plus a year. 
  • Welding: A profession in the construction industry that doesn’t require a college degree, but yields an average salary of $80,000. Becoming a welding professional requires a high school diploma and training from welding school, which typically takes about three months.
  • Safety Engineer: This position doesn’t necessarily require a college degree but does require a passion for safety and relative construction experience. Currently, we are seeing a big push in the industry to focus more on safety. Safety managers can average yearly salaries of $70,000 and higher.
  • Scheduler: A unique position that requires a little more experience. Schedulers are generally more technologically savvy and interested in IT systems. Schedulers help coordinate and produce schedules for larger construction projects and manage construction logistics. Average scheduler salaries are $60,000 a year.
  • Ammonia Refrigeration Technician: This is a mechanical contractor trade involving HVAC education obtained from a technical school. Ammonia refrigeration technicians work on replacing ammonia in industrial refrigeration units and can earn six figure salaries.
  • Virtual Design Construction (VDC): VDC professionals work off architect designs to build 4D models of projects. These designs demonstrate how the buildings’ systems work with the architecture. VDC relies heavily on leveraging exciting new technology, including virtual reality. $70,000 a year is the average salary for VDC professionals.
  • Flagger: Becoming a flagger is an option for those who are unable to obtain a diploma or don’t have the education or experience-oriented background, but are still looking to enter the construction industry. Becoming a flagger requires a brief construction certification and pays $15/hour on average. This also gives people the opportunity to begin working in the field where they can learn other relevant skills and eventually move into other construction-related roles.

There are several programs available through the Technical College System of Georgia to prepare people for the industry. There are also companies that offer internships and apprenticeships, which can be effective ways of getting into the industry while learning a sustainable trade.

Smith told 11 Alive there is currently a labor shortage, noting the Department of Labor is now allowing 16- and 17-year-olds to work in the industry, as the need is so dire.

The construction sector in Georgia is a real pathway to a stable economic future, and students AND adults looking for a career should take notice.