Meet the FORGE Team
Founded in 2018, FORGE is comprised of a group of locally-owned small businesses, most of which are in their 2nd and 3rd generation of owners. Before founding FORGE, individually these companies were to the point of stealing labor from each other and were defeating their goal of strengthening each other and the community in which they work. They began to work together on determining a more long-term solution, and thus inspired FORGE. Formed with the vision of strengthening the budding partnerships with local schools and being able to help teach students how to one day be ready for the workforce, FORGE allows these companies to now work as a team to help build the workforce of tomorrow.
How To Plug In
Skilled trade organizations are fighting two major battles in light of the skilled trades gap, awareness and perception. Are potential employees aware of your company and the benefits you offer? Do potential employees have a preconceived notion about the type of work you do, and is that notion accurate? The only way you can raise awareness about your organization and have a message that you feel is an accurate representation, is to get involved in the community around you.
Some ways you can plug in:
- Form a partnership with high schools and career tech centers in your area. By forming a partnership with the schools in your area, you have your hand in offering knowledge of your industry but also knowledge as an employer. Industry feedback allows local schools to better prepare students for the workforce.
- Offer job site tours. This will offer students a tangible example of the type of work they can be involved in and generate excitement for that industry. From that point on, every time a student from the tour walks into that public building, they’ll remember that you had your hand in its development.
- Be a guest lecturer. By having local industries step into classrooms, it validates everything the teacher has taught them to that point and on into the future, but also gives you a chance to share about the more niche areas of your business that could really sell a student on entering into your line of work.
- Participate in high school career fairs. By participating in career fairs at high schools, you can reach the students who might be looking for options outside of a four-year degree, but you can also begin building a partnership with their counselors and school teachers.
APAC-Mississippi is an asphalt paving and construction materials company with 16 asphalt plants, 17 construction crews and 6 aggregate production facilities – serving 59 counties in 4 states over a 31,000 square mile area; all managed out of our Jackson, MS headquarters and 6 branch operations – from Memphis to Meridian. We are part of the CRH Americas Materials, Inc. family of companies – with operations in 44 U.S. states and internationally under publicly held parent company, CRH plc.
We are staffed and managed locally – living and contributing daily in the many communities in which we operate.
Regularly Hiring For: Equipment Operators, Field Supervisor Trainees
Ashley Sansing: ashley.sansing@apac.com
Burks-Mordecai Builders, Inc. is a General Contractor established in 1991, with our primary interest in the commercial and industrial building industry. Our services include Pre-Construction, General Contracting, Construction Management, Design-Build, and Facilities Maintenance. We have veteran experience and an exceptional reputation in many different construction sectors.
When forming our company, we didn’t consider any other option besides putting our name on the business. Our name makes it personal and we constantly strive every day to achieve an impeccable reputation. We attribute our success to the hard work of our loyal, dedicated employees. Burks- Mordecai Builders, Inc. offers competitive pay along with health insurance, retirement plans, paid vacation and holidays.
Regularly Hiring For: Carpenters, Skilled Laborers.
Jordan Mordecai : jordan@burksmordecai.net
The Burns Dirt Construction team is filled with experts on local soils and has a proven track record of successful projects. We use innovative technology to complete projects with higher quality and before the competition would be able to. We strive to recycle as much material as we can and have implemented controls to cut down on our waste.
Regularly Hiring For: Heavy Equipment Operator, Site Superintendent
Nic Parish: nic@burnsdirtconstruction.com
Columbus Brick is the oldest brick manufacturer in Mississippi shipping over 140 million bricks a year throughout the mid-west and the southern United States. Led by four generations, Columbus Brick has had over 130 years of success due to one thing – our employees. We currently employ approximately 80+ full-time employees from the Golden Triangle and surrounding areas. Our culture is shown through employees’ participation in the many events held throughout the year and their participation in ways we give back through community events. We thrive because of our team environment and skilled leadership.
Regularly Hiring For: Brick Graders, Machine Operators
Misty McCraw: misty.mccraw@columbusbrick.com
G&O Supply Company, Inc. has been providing drainage pipe and related construction products to customers in Mississippi and the coverage area in adjoining states for over 50 years. We are committed to providing the best possible service at competitive prices to all of our customers. We have locations in Byhalia, Tupelo, Grenada, Jackson, and Saucier, MS.
Regularly Hiring For: Laborer.
Josh Carson: admin@gosupplyinc.com
Graham Roofing is a commercial and industrial roofing contractor that serves building owners and the professionals who represent them across Mississippi, Tennessee and Alabama. Since 1968, Graham Roofing has carefully constructed a culture of excellence that is easily recognized in the services provided by its employees. The GRI Team works every day to “Raise Your Roof Quality”.
Regularly Hiring For: Commercial Roofer, Sheet Metal Worker, Warehouse Manager/Equipment Operator, Service Technician, Roofing Estimator
Christee Holbrook: christee@grahamroofing.com
McCrary-West Construction has been a reliable North Mississippi Construction Company since 1964. Being a great service provider means having complete and total confidence in the people providing those services, and we’re proud to have the best pros in the business working with us. With a focus on personalized service and customer satisfaction, we’re always striving to meet and exceed our high standards and our clients’ expectations. We also have a vested interest in our community. We are very active in helping produce the workforce of the next generation. McCrary-West provides industrial construction services specializing in chemical and manufacturing facility maintenance. McCrary-West has a sister company, McCrary Construction Services, that specializes in industrial, commercial, and residential concrete sawing, drilling, and specialty demolition.
Regularly Hiring For: Concrete Finishers, Construction Foreman, Construction Crewman, Concrete Saw Operator
Katie McCrary: katie.mccrary@mccrarywest.com
Lu McCrary: lu.mccrary@mccrarywest.com
Neel-Schaffer Inc., is a multi-disciplined engineering, planning, and construction management firm established in 1983. Headquartered in Jackson, MS, the firm operates 38 offices and has locations or major projects in nine states. Its corporate structure enables Neel-Schaffer to maintain a strong commitment to local communities while providing access to engineering expertise on multiple levels. We rank as one of the largest privately held, employee-owned engineering firms in the South. Engineering News-Record has listed Neel-Schaffer among the Top 500 Design Firms in the United States annually since 1994, with that ranking reaching 197th in 2022.
We provide high-quality services on compressed schedules, on time, and within budget.
Regularly Hiring For: Level 1 Inspector.
Kevin Stafford: kevin.stafford@neel-schaffer.com
New Home Building Stores has been in the building materials business for commercial and residential contractors since 1939. We currently have two locations– Columbus, MS & Macon, MS. We are now managed by the 5th generation of the Chilcutt family bringing in new ideas to build upon the foundation set by the four previous generations. We have supplied materials to countless residential homes in the Golden Triangle Area as well as commercial projects including churches, restaurants, sorority houses, food processing plants, steel mills, and apartment complexes. Our area of service has been expanding every year and we now supply materials to much of North MS and West Alabama. We value our employees, our customers, and our community and want to see each thrive.
We take pride in our work providing dependable and predictable service with a vested interest in your success. Our goal is to provide the same quality customer care and service for another 82 plus years so your company can grow and thrive with us for generations to come!
Regularly Hiring For: Yard Associates, Load Pullers, Truck Drivers (Class B & D), Estimators, Sales Coordinators, Outside and Inside Salesmen.
Ann Marie Chilcutt Miller: annmarie@newhomebuilding.net
Goodloe Chilcutt: goodloe@newhomebuilding.net
PACCAR Engine Company is part of PACCAR Inc., a Fortune 500 company established in 1905. We produce best-in-class, state-of-the-art engines that power Kenworth, Peterbilt, and DAF Trucks. PACCAR engines bring a new level of innovation through quality, exceptional reliability, and proven performance. In more than 60 years, PACCAR has delivered over 1.7 million engines globally, providing innovative solutions and an unwavering commitment to superior
performance.
Regularly Hiring For: Controls Technician, External Quality Engine Analyst, Assembly Operators, Craft Technician, Machining Operators.
Ben Machen: ben.machen@paccar.com
Phillips Contracting Co., Inc., has been in the heavy civil business for commercial and residential contractors since 1946. We have provided a wide range of construction products and services to Mississippi and Alabama specializing in all types of site work, concrete, and asphalt construction. We are now managed by the 4th generation of ownership and management.
We take pride in our work providing dependable and predictable service We have built a reputation for doing high quality work with integrity and pride, and focusing on doing the job in the safest manner possible.
Regularly Hiring For: Concrete Help, Equipment Operators, Laborers, Mechanics.
Blake Hill: blake@phillipscontracting.com
With 60 years of operational success, Hamilton’s titanium dioxide (Ti02) manufacturing operation is the third largest of its kind in the world with annual production capacity of approximately 225,000 metric tons. We are a global supplier to the paint and plastics industry. The Hamilton site employs approximately 420 full-time employees.
Regularly Hiring For: Engineer, Maintenance Technician
Talia Worth: talia.worth@tronox.com
With six locations, Waters is Mississippi’s headquarters for trucks, trailers, buses, wreckers, equipment, parts, and service. Waters offers customized transportation solutions that provide quality products and services with superior customer support.
Regularly Hiring For: Diesel Truck & Bus Technician, Body Shop Technicians, Lube/Tire Technicians, Parts Warehouse Worker, Parts Salesmen, Wrecker Operator/Driver, Body Assembler
Michael Waters: mwaters4@waterstruck.com
West Brothers Construction has been in the general contracting business since 1971. WBC services include new construction, building renovation and design/build facilities for several markets, including educational, municipal, healthcare and business. We have experienced field personnel that are trained to supervise the scopes of all trades, and our roster of specialty subcontractors allow us to assemble project teams that can provide quality service every time. Our management staff monitors all aspects of projects, including safe practices, quality control, scheduling, cost control, and overall customer service. In addition to new construction, West Brothers Construction also provides Pre-Construction Services and Historical Restoration. Our goal is to meet the need of every client.
Regularly Hiring For: Carpenters, Welders, Masons, Equipment Operators, Diesel Mechanics, Concrete Finishers, Surveying Technicians
Rob Winklepleck: rwink@westbrothersconstruction.com
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