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WorkingBuildings Puts Their “BEST” Foot Forward with Junior Achievement

Tuesday, December 20th, 2011

(Atlanta, Georgia, USA, December 20, 2011) The WorkingBuildings Companies recently committed to a day of volunteering at the B.E.S.T. Academy in conjunction with Junior Achievement. WorkingBuildings staff of engineers, sustainability consultants, accountants, and marketing personnel teamed up on November 18th to teach grades 6th through 8th lessons on entrepreneurship, international trade, and the differences between jobs and careers. The goal was to impress upon the students that the work they do now, in middle school, can lead to a rewarding and fulfilling career. By drawing connections between the students’ work and their futures, WorkingBuildings hopes to help inspire their motivation to excel in their coursework.

The B.E.S.T. Academy focuses on preparing students for career paths in Business, Engineering, Science and Technology. B.E.S.T. is an all boys middle school serving students in a primarily low income area of Atlanta. The school came to fruition after one low-performing school was split into two, gender segregated middle schools in the hopes of improving the quality of education. The resulting middle schools, B.E.S.T. and Coretta Scott King Middle School, led to increases in grades and in student and teacher efficiency.

Principal John McFarland was an active participant in the day’s activities, saying, “It’s necessary to show today’s youth that what they’re doing counts. With the looming shortages in both skilled and unskilled workers, it’s important for these students to see their own roles in the future through their schoolwork today. It’s amazing to see how technologically advanced these kids are already, they have such huge potential!”

With many experts predicting a looming shortage in the workforce, it’s necessary to ensure that future generations continue their education and enter the workforce prepared. As the baby boomers retire, a predicted 20% shortage in laborers has the potential to hurt the US economy. WorkingBuildings hopes to be part of the remedy by impressing upon today’s students their important role in the future workforce. The company hopes to inspire students to continue their education and create for themselves a strong future. B.E.S.T. Academy is fertile ground for this, as the emphasis on business, engineering, science, and technology prepares the students for positions in each of those fields.

Additionally, WorkingBuildings hopes to lead by example in showing that sustainability encompasses more than simply recycling and turning out the lights. Rather, sustainability is about creating a world that can continue indefinitely. This includes preparing today’s youth to hold the reins to the world, as well as leaving behind a world worth having. WorkingBuildings believes that the best way to give back is through the nation’s young people, and will continue to support this notion through their actions.

The WorkingBuildings Companies is an owner representative firm providing comprehensive solutions for facility project delivery, compliance, and operations. The firm provides global consultation on sustainability, quality control for construction, and operations solutions. The WorkingBuildings Companies is proud to demonstrate their commitment to sustainability through business practices, efficient operations, and giving back to the community that supports them. Including office locations around the world, The WorkingBuildings Companies maintains their corporate headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia, USA.