INVESTING IN THE FUTURE
GAEA’s investment in the community includes opening young minds to the possibility of working within the build- ing and construction industry. In 2000, the organization partnered with local high schools through the Atlanta Tech- nical College and the Construction Education Foundation of Georgia to establish the Construction Skills Develop- ment Institute (CSDI). This program educates high school students about careers in construction and provides in- ternship opportunities for hands-on industry experience.
“Over the last 16 years we have funded close to a quarter of a million dollars in summer internships. Today, many of the young men and women who have come through our programs are either in college or currently working in the industry. Several of them would not have had the op- portunity to choose a career in architecture, engineering or construction if they had not come through our program,” says Joe.
GAEA encourages business owners who have benefited from their services to give back by supporting or participat- ing in CSDI. Latasha first heard about the program at the annual Sky is the Limit Regional Conference event, where business owners and high school students who participate in GAEA training programs are recognized. Both she and Sadat recognize that CSDI positively impacts students’ lives. “I definitely want to be able to connect with students to introduce them to this world,” says Latasha.
Tommy Dortch, a founding board member at GAEA, addresses the crowd during a GAEA networking session.
Sadat adds that his company has been involved with CSDI for about eight years and has had two interns working for his team every year since the program’s in- ception. He also hired one of their previous CSDI interns about a year ago.
Joe takes pride in what Greater Atlanta Economic Alli- ance has been able to achieve. “Two important things I’m proud of are the meaningful seeds we have planted through our high school programs, which have given stu- dents experience and insight into the industry, and also helping our small, woman- and minority-owned business- es grow capacity, sustain their companies and give back to the community.”
Author Bio: Brie E. Bennett is a contributing author, located in Dallas, Texas.
Atlanta area high school students participate in GAEA’s Construction Skills Development Institute internship program.
POWERED BY THE BLUE BOOK NETWORK - ATLANTA & NORTH CENTRAL GEORGIA / FALL 2016
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COURTESY OF GAEA
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