Jones, a Junior at Shelby County College & Career Center has long been recognized by those around him as a talented and hardworking individual. In addition to studying construction technologies in the classroom, Jones is active in SkillsUSA and enjoys working with his hands as a landscaper with Bedrock Landscape in Chelsea, AL.

“Ben is a bright young man who has big plans for himself,” said Van White, construction technology instructor at Shelby County School of Technology. “Not only is he a talented student, but he’s a real pleasure to have in my class, and approaches assignments with a positive can-do attitude.”

After graduating high school, Jones is interested in attending either Jeff State to study Construction & Building Science Technology, or Auburn University where he would like to pursue a degree through the McWhorter School of Building Science. 

“The more I learn about the technical and business sides of the construction industry, the more fascinated I become,” said Jones. “For me, it’s more than just a hobby or an academic interest. I like getting my hands dirty, and I also like the process of planning a project from it’s inception to final completion. Every step matters, and that attention to detail is what interests me.”   

The FSWA Student of the Month is an honor bestowed upon one high school junior or senior every month of the school year by the Alabama Construction Recruitment Institute. It is designed to support students who pursue careers in the construction industry, a field that offers a wide variety of rewarding career paths. Upon graduation, each student of the month becomes eligible to receive a $1,000 scholarship to continue his or her training and education at an institution of higher education in Alabama. Scholarships are made possible through proceeds from an annual motorcycle benefit ride organized by CraneWorks and Garrison Steel.

Teachers, principals, and other school personnel are encouraged to nominate students for the Go Build Alabama Future Skilled Workers of America Award. To be eligible, students must be high school juniors or seniors with a demonstrated interest in pursuing a career in construction. They must also be enrolled in, or have been enrolled in, technical courses related to the skilled trades, or have plans to continue their education in the construction industry after graduating high school. Visitwww.GoBuildAlabama.com to download a nomination form.

About Go Build Alabama
ACRI launched the Go Build campaign in August of 2010 in an effort to prepare for the anticipated shortage as older tradesmen leave the workforce. One-third of all skilled tradesmen in the construction industry are over the age of 50. With their retirement on the horizon, training programs are not producing enough young workers to replace those exiting the industry. The Go Build campaign aims to recruit the next generation of skilled construction trade workers. Visit GoBuildAlabama.com for more.