Students compete at trades, AGC Skills Challenge in Statesboro

STATESBORO, Ga. (WSAV) — Close to 100 local middle and high school students competed to see who was better at working with their hands in Wednesday's Associated General Contractors' (AGC) Skills Challenge in Statesboro.

"They come here with something to prove," said Josh Hall, the construction teacher at Statesboro High School. "They want to prove that they do have the skills, and they do have what it takes to not only place or do well at a competition but to leave high school and to do something with their hands and be good at it and do really well at it."

Competitors played for real prizes, testing their skills in carpentry, electrical engineering, welding, plumbing, masonry, roofing and blueprint reading.

"I just feel nervous that's all I've got to say but I hope I can make it top – third place, second or first," said competitor JR Benitez from West Laurens High School.

The CEO of AGC, Mike Dunham said, "Our industry is really challenged right now that we need more men and women to enter our industry as carpenters, electricians and plumbers. This region's competition gives these students the opportunity to demonstrate what they've learned."

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School leaders said that it's about giving students choices beyond college. They said entering the industrial workforce means starting a career debt-free with good entry level pay.

"I've seen multiple of my students that are former students now employed by a lot of these contractors that support this event," said Hall. Benitez said, "I want to do this for the rest of my life hopefully and get my license and everything for plumbing, but only god knows what's ahead of me."

Sponsors said that the event continues to grow every year with 50 new spots Wednesday.

There are eight stops for the Georgia Skills Challenge. Next week students in Augusta will wear hardhats for the next challenge.