From April 20 to May 15, 2026, LaGrange residents are taking part in a job training program conducted by nonprofit “Construction Ready” and fully funded by Goodwill Industries of the Southern Rivers. The program works with the students each day from 7:30 a.m. - 5 p.m., providing training and credentialing for careers in construction and the skilled trades, concluding with a job fair and job placement for most students with local companies in the trades.

The goal of Construction Ready is to help close the workforce skills gap. There’s a continuing need for skilled workers and closing this skills gap by educating more Georgians about careers in the skilled professions is Construction Ready’s primary goal.

When: The program begins April 20 and runs through May 15

When: 7:30 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday through Friday

• Week of April 27: Students learning to use hand and power tools, learning interview skills, and learning about proper handling of materials. They’ll also be building a small project during the class.
• May 12: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m., Hiring Fair (students being interviewed by companies) 
• May 15:  10 - 11:30 a.m., Graduation Day  

Where: 319 Commerce Avenue, LaGrange, GA 30240

The Construction Ready Construction Training program is fully funded by Goodwill Southern Rivers. It will match many of the students with jobs in the industry by the time they complete their classes on May 15.

Students will learn key skills including basic safety, construction math, communications and employability skills, how to use hand and power tools, interview skills, financial literacy, and more.

Since 2014, the Construction Ready adult education program has trained more than 1,800 workers of all ages for a successful career in construction. Successes of the program include: 

• 97% job placement by end of training
• Average starting salary of $16/hour
• 70% of participants employed with the same company one year later