Building Workforce Resilience from the Ground Up
Preparing the Next Generation to Sustain American Manufacturing
In North Georgia, manufacturing is more than an industry. It’s steady jobs, shared skills, and a work ethic passed from one generation to the next. At Panel Built, preparing for the future means investing in the people who will carry that legacy forward.
Through our Work-Based Learning and internship programs, we help high school and college students gain skills and experience that strengthen both their careers and our community.
The Workforce Shift We Can’t Ignore
Across the country, employers are navigating what’s often called the “Silver Tsunami” — the large wave of Baby Boomers retiring from skilled trades roles.
In manufacturing alone, U.S. companies are projected to need an estimated 2.1 million new workers by 2030 to replace retiring employees. The American Welding Society projects that 320,500 new welders will be needed by 2029, and similar shortages are forecast across construction, electrical, and plumbing trades nationwide.
These shortages threaten to impact production timelines, delivery reliability, and supply chain stability. Meeting this challenge head on requires business leaders to prioritize workforce development as a core operational strategy, not an afterthought.
How Panel Built Integrates Work-Based Learning
At Panel Built, Work-Based Learning and internships are part of how we plan for long-term workforce stability. Under the leadership of HR Manager Michelle Murray, the program has grown in both reach and structure.
In addition to overseeing student placements, Michelle:
- Serves on the Union County College and Career Academy Board
- Participates in regional CTAE meetings in Fannin County
- Supports local career days beginning in middle school
- Coordinates mock interviews to prepare students for professional environments
Notably, the students who join us are paid employees that complete the same onboarding process as any other new hire. They also contribute across a range of departments, including:
- Engineering
- Drafting
- Shipping
- Customer Service
- IT
- Marketing
- Sales
Many continue working with us through college, particularly in welding and engineering roles that often lead to full-time positions.
From Student to Professional:
Work-Based Learning and Internship Success Stories
Growing Into Responsibility
“In high school, you are just usually treated as a kid, and don't get a chance to show your worth. Whereas here, if you show them you are worth your pay, they will trust you and treat you like an adult."
— Drew McDaris, former WBL Student and Current Utilities Specialist
From Intern to Full-Time Drafter
“Even as an intern, I got to see how much my work mattered and how it contributed to making a customer’s vision for a building a reality...Getting that real-world experience gave me a bit of a head start that others didn’t have.”
—Dawson Totherow, Panel Built Drafter
Seeing the Impact Firsthand
“I had no clue what I wanted to do and realized once I saw AutoCAD and the PBR shop that I could take my hobbies like legos and model-making into grand scale buildings or ‘adult legos’...Internships are always a key into a first major-specific job, so getting one early that I can work part-time at during college is a lifesaver.”
—Lucas Bain, Part-Time Drafter pursuing a Civil Engineering degree
Building a Professional Foundation
“Professionalism is by far the best thing I have learned. It is just something that can't be taught in a classroom and is best learned through real experiences.”
— Drake Usry, Panel Built Knockdown Department
Applying Classroom Knowledge the Real World
"Thanks to the Young Harris College PREP program, I have been given the opportunity to work at Panel Built and in only a short time I have already learned a lot in applying my degree."
—Matthew Honeycutt, Intern from Young Harris College's PREP program
Partnership with Local High Schools
We are grateful to partner with neighboring Union County High School and Fannin County High School.
Kerri Bradshaw, Coordinator for Union County High School’s CTAE and Work-Based Learning programs, notes that what stands out about Panel Built’s program is the array of opportunities available to students:
“I think what makes Panel Built distinct for students is the wide variety of work experience you are able to provide students. With Panel Built being a larger company, students have the opportunity to work and grow in manufacturing, welding, engineering, marketing, accounting, general office work, and IT work.”
Before recommending students to Panel Built, Kerri conducts a structured screening process that considers attendance, academics, teacher recommendations, and career interests. She has found that students who fully engage in Work-Based Learning leave with greater confidence and clearer career direction, developing professional habits such as accountability, communication, and teamwork.
From our side, we see that growth firsthand. As Beth Satterfield, Panel Built Marketing Manager, put it:
“The students brought a practical, tech-savvy perspective to our marketing projects. It was rewarding to watch them shift from being unsure of themselves to taking real ownership of their daily tasks. For Panel Built, the program is a solid deal since it provides extra help while supporting the local community’s future workforce.”
Together, these partnerships create opportunities for students while strengthening our local manufacturing workforce and increasing U.S. supply chain resilience.
Why Early Workforce Development Works
Programs like Georgia’s Work-Based Learning initiative are designed to connect classroom instruction with structured, real-world experience. Students build technical skills while developing the professional habits employers consistently value.
The results are measurable:
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WBL participants in the DOE’s Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education program have a 97.8 percent graduation rate, compared to the state average of 85 percent.
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Research shows high school students working in career-related roles earn more immediately after graduation and continue to see long-term wage gains.
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A large-scale Rutgers University study found students who worked during college earned up to $20,000 more after graduation than peers who did not.
For students, Work-Based Learning provides experience before major educational or financial commitments are made, while helping to improve their long-term economic outlook.
Investing in Stability, Not Just Staffing
At Panel Built, workforce development is part of responsible planning. Supporting students as they gain real-world experience strengthens our team and reinforces long-term stability in the industries we serve. It also makes us a better partner for our customers by ensuring that our projects are backed by a skilled, reliable staff. It's a practical investment in people and performance.
Work-Based Learning FAQs
Q: What is Work-Based Learning (WBL)?
A: Work-Based Learning is a structured program that connects classroom instruction with supervised, real-world job experience. In Georgia, WBL is administered through Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education (CTAE) programs and allows high school students to gain hands-on experience while completing their education.
Q: How does Work-Based Learning benefit manufacturing companies?
A: WBL helps manufacturers develop skilled talent early. By giving students real-world experience before graduation, companies can build a pipeline of job-ready employees who understand workplace expectations, technical skills, and professional responsibility.
Q: Are Work-Based Learning students paid employees?
A: Yes. At Panel Built, WBL students and interns are paid employees who complete the same onboarding process as other team members and contribute meaningfully across departments.
Q: What types of roles do students work in at Panel Built?
A: Students gain experience across a range of departments, including welding, engineering, drafting, shipping, IT, marketing, sales, customer service, and administration. This exposure allows them to explore different career paths within manufacturing.
Q: Why is workforce development important in manufacturing today?
A: Manufacturing faces ongoing skilled labor shortages due in part to retirements in the trades. Investing in workforce development helps companies maintain production capacity, meet customer timelines, and support long-term operational stability.
Q: Do internships and early work experience improve long-term career outcomes?
A: Research shows that students who work in career-related roles during high school or college often graduate at higher rates and earn more in the years following graduation. Early exposure helps build technical skills, confidence, and workplace readiness.