The Construction Ready “2025 CareerExpo & SkillsUSA State Championships” is gearing up to inspire the next generation of skilled workers. Taking place on Feb. 20-21 at the Georgia World Congress Center, this two-day event will bring more than 9,000 K-12 and college students face-to-face with more than 1,500 industry professionals.
The event is a hands-on opportunity to explore the skilled trades, experience real-world construction activities, and ignite interest in rewarding career paths.
This year’s event tackles a critical challenge: Georgia’s growing “skills gap.” With more workers retiring than entering the trades, Construction Ready is on a mission to educate students about the vast opportunities in skilled professions and bridge the gap.
Don’t miss the chance to witness students exploring their potential in an industry that’s essential to Georgia’s future.
For 2025, the CareerExpo is now free for all students and schools, thanks to the Georgia Peach Education Tax Credit. Attendees can also explore the new “World of Risk Management” section, offering insights into the safety and planning roles vital to the construction industry.
Attendees will experience the thrill of stepping into a simulated construction site, operating equipment, and engaging with interactive displays that showcase the wide array of skilled trade careers. Don’t miss the chance to witness students exploring their potential in an industry that’s essential to Georgia’s future.
Check out last year’s CareerExpo highlights in this video, and mark your calendar for this exciting event that’s shaping the next generation of skilled professionals.
Schools can register HERE.
More About the Career Expo
Who: More than 9,000 people are expected to attend, including 6,000 K-12 and college students from across Georgia who will learn about careers in the skilled trades from more than 1,200 teachers, parents, school counselors, and administrators. Attendees will have the opportunity to speak with 1,500 professionals from more than 300 leading companies about jobs in the industry.
- Industries Represented: Construction management, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, energy and more.
- Colleges/Universities: Dozens of colleges and universities representing eight different career clusters.
New Industry Data Shows Impact of Workforce Shortages
Associated General Contractors of America recently released data showing the severity and causes of construction workforce shortages and their impacts on infrastructure and other construction projects.
- 90% of companies have open hourly craft positions and 88% have open salaried positions
- 67% of firms are spending more on training and professional development
Hardest Positions to Fill: Architects, Project Managers, Concrete workers, Electricians, Equipment Operators, Mechanics, Plumbers, Sheet Metal Workers, Welders
SkillsUSA Competition: CareerExpo 2025 will also feature the SkillsUSA State Championship, a competition that allows students to showcase their skills in a number of construction-related disciplines. Winners will represent Georgia at the SkillsUSA Nationals Championship in Atlanta, June 23-27, 2025.
- Georgia public schools have more than 17,000 students enrolled in 150 skilled trade construction and metals programs throughout the state. Construction Ready was created by construction employers to meet the needs of the workforce.
- Industry professionals from more than 300 companies in the state of Georgia are prepared and excited to speak with students about their organizations’ work and career paths in the building and energy industries.
Colleges/Universities: Dozens of colleges and universities representing eight different career clusters: Architecture and Construction, Arts, A/V Technology and Communications, Energy, Government and Public Administration, Human Services, Law, Public Safety, Corrections & Security, Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM), and Transportation, Distribution and Logistics.
