Construction Ready Program at Aerotropolis Prepares Students for Skilled Trades Careers

A new cohort of 20 local students is getting hands-on experience in the skilled trades this summer thanks to a fully funded, 20-day job training program hosted at the Aerotropolis in East Point, Georgia. In partnership with the nonprofit Construction Ready, the program is helping prepare participants for in-demand careers in construction and the trades—many of whom will be matched with job opportunities by the time they graduate on Aug. 8.

Running weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., the program covers essential industry skills, from basic safety and construction math to communications, hand and power tool use and employability training. Students also receive certifications and real-world preparation in interview skills and financial literacy.

Key milestones during the course include:

• July 22–24 – Tool and material handling, physical agility, and equipment safety
• August 7 – Hiring Fair, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., where students will meet and interview with prospective employers
• Aug. 8 – Graduation Ceremony, 10 to 11:30 a.m.

Hosted at the Aerotropolis East Point Building Annex (3121 Norman Berry Drive), the program is part of a broader statewide expansion supported by the Fulton County Commission, Aerotropolis President and CEO Shannon James and East Point Mayor Deana Holiday Ingraham. Together, these leaders are championing economic growth through workforce development in Georgia’s skilled trades.

Launched in 2014, Construction Ready has trained more than 1,900 individuals for successful careers in construction. The program boasts a 93% job placement rate by graduation, with average starting wages between $15 and $19 an hour. A year later, over 70% of graduates remain employed in the industry.

As the demand for skilled labor continues to grow, Construction Ready is focused on closing the workforce gap by connecting Georgians to stable, rewarding career paths. For these 20 East Point students, the program offers more than a certificate—it’s a launching pad into a brighter future.

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