DuffeySE - T-Mobile-1001.jpg
 

Our Workforce is changing.

Duffey Southeast is committed to workforce development - our industry’s future depends on an educated, capable, diverse, and adaptable workforce.

Past, Present & Future

The construction industry has done a great job over the decades of building infrastructure and making strides in technology. However, our number one challenge is attracting young people and skilled workers. Industry recruitment and retention are essential to the future of this industry.

Even with a multitude of career opportunities available, and lucrative salaries, the construction industry still suffers from a public relations problem. High schools across the country tend to have a “college for all mentality” and stress attending college over seeking out a career in the trades, even though most will agree that a university education is not necessarily for everyone.  

A three-dimensional geometric figure, specifically a right-angled triangle with one side shaded in gray.

It Takes Both Time & Effort

Duffey Southeast is committed to making contributions to the advancement of educational opportunities in the industry and improving our construction workforce. We are committed to dedicating our time and efforts into developing our current workforce as we know it will be harder than ever to replace the employees who have helped make our company successful all these years. 

Combining efforts with the Associated General Contractors, in conjunction with Local AGC Chapters, and our valuable industry partners, we are focused on the goal to attract, retain, and train our future construction industry workforce.   

But before we can develop our future workforce we must first get them interested in the industry.

Logo of the Associated General Contractors of America featuring a red circle with a white outline, containing a large stylized letter A and G, and the words 'Associated General Contractors of America' around the perimeter. To the right, the large letters 'AGC' with the words 'The Construction Association' underneath.

Partnering with the AGC

Partnering together, Duffey Southeast and The Associated General Contractors of Georgia hosted construction students from 24-area high schools for the Northwest Georgia Workforce Development Alliance Skills Challenge. The event was one of eight regional event competitions held throughout the state each year.

In addition to student competitors, many aspiring future participants attend as observers to explore careers in the skilled trades. Local industry partners supported the challenge by serving as judges and providing hand-on activities that gave students direct exposure to the construction industry.

The Northwest Georgia Skills challenge features competitions in a variety of disciplines, including blueprint reading, carpentry, electrical, masonry, plumbing, welding, TeamWorks, drywall & metal studs, welding fabrication and cabinet making. The event is aprt of a broader effort to connect students with opportunities in the construction industry while helping strengthen the future workforce.

Two women wearing hard hats and safety goggles inside a construction equipment showcase, smiling and holding hammers, with a large yellow CAT excavator behind them and a DUFFEY Southeast Construction sign nearby.

Construction Ready Career Expo

Partnering with Construction Ready, we hosted booths at the SkillsUSA State Leadership and Skills Conferences in Georgia and Florida. These events, which saw thousands of students, featured hands-on activities designed to introduce participants to the construction trades.

In Georgia, our booth engaged numerous students, while in Florida, we took it a step further by sponsoring the TeamWorks competition. This sponsorship allowed us to showcase our commitment to fostering new talent in the industry.

Each event aimed to inspire and educate the next generation of skilled professionals, with local industry partners providing volunteer judges and company representatives offering interactive experiences. Through these efforts, we hope to highlight the rewarding career opportunities available in the construction sector.

COMMITMENT REQUIRES FOLLOW-THROUGH

“Our team is proud to be the host contractor for this event with the support of many industry firms that are serving as sponsors,” said Dan Baker, CEO of Duffey Southeast Inc. “Beyond inspiring the competitors, we hope to educate students on the numerous career path opportunities available to them in the construction industry.”  

Duffey Southeast is committed to the implementation and evaluation of new and existing programs. We are committed to aligning our business goals to business needs and adapting programs to changing labor industry demands. We believe in offering an array of workforce development and career pathway services to employees, students, and community residents.  We build bridges between internal departments to create a culture of learning and advancement that supports employees’ personal and professional growth. 

Building Beyond Expectations…it’s what we strive for while we help build our community.

2023 Skills Challenge

Blueprint Reading Competition

Welding Competition

GALLERY

Construction worker kneeling and measuring bricks on a construction site, wearing an orange shirt and a black safety helmet.
2025 Skills Challenge - For-Web-1002.jpg
2025 Skills Challenge - For-Web-1020.jpg
A young person kneeling on a concrete floor, wearing a white safety helmet and orange t-shirt, working with a hammer on a piece of wood. The background shows a spacious workshop with multiple people, tools, and construction equipment.
Mobile welding lab trailer with 'Technical College System of Georgia' logo in a parking lot at sunset.
Person welding with safety gear, including a mask and gloves, sparks flying in a workshop setting with red wall and tools hanging.
People working on a construction project inside a warehouse, building a wooden structure with tools and safety gear.
2025 Skills Challenge - For-Web-1051.jpg
An older man with gray hair, dressed in a beige shirt and blue jeans, stands on an elevated stage with a microphone, addressing a large group of people seated at tables inside a covered outdoor pavilion. The audience includes individuals wearing oran
2025 Skills Challenge - For-Web-1035.jpg
Construction workers building a small wooden structure inside a large indoor space. The structure includes plywood walls, some workers are standing and others are sitting or working on the ground. One worker is on a ladder working on the top of the s
A construction worker in an orange shirt and red safety helmet is welding copper pipes on a wooden wall inside a building under construction.
Two men wearing bright yellow vests with 'Judge' written on the back, attending a construction or skills challenge event inside a building with multiple workers and construction materials.
Two men wearing white hard hats and gloves working on a wooden plank with a yellow construction backhoe in the background. There is a banner for Duffy Southeast Construction.
2025 Skills Challenge - For-Web-1010.jpg
Skills Challenge 2024 - For-WEB-1045.jpg