GEORGIA, — A special program in Georgia is addressing shortages in the construction industry – and it’s giving high school students a hands-on opportunity to test drive their skills.
On Monday in Gainesville, students of East Forsyth High School gathered on site for the Capstone project, the culmination of the semester’s work. They learned the ins and outs of operating heavy equipment such as bulldozers.
“The heavy equipment operator program is a great opportunity for young people to, number one, explore the heavy equipment industry, as well as construction in general,” David Moellering, President of the Georgia Highway Contractors Association, told 11Alive.
The simulator pilot program, launched in 2022, has since expanded in Georgia. More than a dozen schools now participate and offer the courses and simulators to students.
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Moellering joined the team of C.W. Matthews Contracting Company as students tested their skills, which previously consisted of classroom instruction and simulator experience. It’s a model, Moellering said, that is in high demand as both the industry and area high schools seek to present such opportunities to students.
“It's been a way for someone who had no experience at all to get behind the controls of heavy equipment,” he shared. “It’s a good opportunity to get exposure to an industry that could be a great career.”
Lawmakers are also seeing the need after the General Assembly allocated $3 million in reserves in the upcoming budget to add more simulators to area schools.
“Every highway contractor is desperate for young, rockstar talent right now,” Jeremy Whitaker of C.W. Matthews said. “And we're here creating a program like this so we can expose students to the vast variety of career options for students.”
Moellering emphasized that because the program is a public/private partnership local companies are also offering support to classrooms and high school students. As a result of the program, students can achieve needed certifications and have the chance to enter the industry right after high school.
The experience of running heavy equipment is a draw in itself, Whitaker said.
“Bottom line,” he said. “It’s a lot of fun.”