Tim Stephens, Partner, Architectural Sheet Metal Inc.
For the second year in a row, FRSA and the Florida roofing industry participated in the Construction Ready Career Expo in conjunction with the SkillsUSA State Leadership and Skills Conference. The competition focused on middle, high school and college students interested in learning more about careers in construction. It was the perfect opportunity to engage with the next generation of construction workers and leaders. Hundreds of the best and brightest young people gathered to explore careers in construction and to compete in the national SkillsUSA construction-related competitions in Georgia.
FRSA sponsored World of Roofing, a 40’x40’ booth space at the Construction Ready Career Expo held in Jacksonville. Members from FRSA’s local affiliate, the Northeast Florida Roofing and Sheet Metal Contractors Association (NEFRSA), were instrumental in setting up and manning the event. The booth had a variety of interactive mock-ups that drew students into the space and provided them an opportunity to participate in hands-on demonstrations. NEFRSA also offered information on career opportunities within the industry, including contractor and supplier options.
There were eight total competitors from three different schools competing in two different categories – high school and postsecondary/college. Students received weekly training from local roofing contractors in preparation for the contest with practice materials donated by Elevate, GAF, QXO and ABC Supply. At the end of the Florida competition, each category awarded medals to the top three competitors, which included:
Post-Secondary/College
First Place: Chenxi Huang, Orange Technical College
Second Place: Tonisha Weeks, Erwin Technical College
Third Place: Josue Joseph, Orange Technical College
High School
First Place: Damien Holloway, Lyman High School
Second Place: Ali Soodi, Orange Technical College dual enrollment
Third Place: Trun Vi, Orange Technical College dual enrollment
First-place winners went on to the National Leadership SkillsUSA Conference in Atlanta in June, where the focus of the competition was on commercial roofing. The students had four hours to complete the mockups modeled after the NRCA’s Thermoplastic Pro Certification hands-on skills test. Jon Goodman from NRCA and Jim Montague, judged the competition observing participants overall skill level for insulation, sheet layout, fasteners, welding, safety, flashing details and housekeeping. One competitor has already been hired by a local contractor and others are set to
join the workforce once school is completed.
Both Florida students placed at the national competition where Damien Holloway received first place in the high school category and Chenxi Huang
received second place in the post-secondary/college category.
Many thanks to the team from NEFRSA for your support on this important industry project. FRSA is planning on including an educational session at
Convention that will include information on how to get involved with implementing a program at local schools around the state and teaching contractors how to engage in the SkillsUSA and Construction Ready programs.
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