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Students at the GMF Steel Career Fair watch a welding simulator demonstration | Trinity Laurino
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2-minute read
Construction is already one of Polk County’s largest industries, employing about 8.5% of the local workforce. The industry faces growing demand for skilled workers.
New 2026 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows many skilled trade jobs are now outpacing starting salaries for college graduates. In construction, median wages range from $65,000 to $85,000, depending on specialty, experience, and certifications.
One Lakeland company is trying to help students explore those opportunities. GMF Steel Group spent about $18,000 to bus over 800 students from 18 high schools across Polk and Hillsborough counties to their annual career fair on Feb. 27.
“There’s a lot of different opportunities inside construction and manufacturing,” Andy Norman, president of GMF Steel Group said during the event. “The more you get exposed to different industries, the more you start finding an attraction to a certain area.”
Held at the Sun ‘n Fun Expo Campus, the event gave students the opportunity to watch live demonstrations on operating cranes, welding techniques, and learn more about the white-collar career opportunities like insurance and finance in the construction industry.
As Florida’s population continues to grow, demand for skilled construction workers — from welders and ironworkers to engineers and project managers — is expected to rise.
Lakeland-based GMF Steel Group has grown more than 100% over the past three years and expects about 20% growth this year, Norman said. GMF currently employs about 350 to 400 workers on projects throughout the Southeast. The company specializes in large structural steel projects such as airports, stadiums, and other major infrastructure.
Industry leaders say introducing students to skilled trades early is key to building a future workforce. For many students attending the career fair, it was their first time seeing how careers in welding, ironwork, engineering, and construction management fit together in large-scale building projects.
GMF Steel Group also operates a paid apprenticeship program and welding school that trains workers for careers in the industry. In 2026, they are looking to accept 15 new apprentices.
Hands-on demonstrations and exhibits
At the career fair, students rotated through hands-on demonstrations and exhibits from construction companies and industry partners.
“I haven’t seen one student walking around looking at their phone,” Norman said. “Every one of them has been engaged and actively looking.
Activities included:
Welding demonstrations and simulators
Crane equipment displays
Tool demonstrations
Surveying technology experiences
Safety demonstrations
Students could also see a large steel truss fabricated by GMF Steel that will eventually be installed in an airport project.
Insight Polk examines community conditions and solutions in six target areas from UCIndicators.org: economic & employment opportunity, education, housing, food security, transportation & infrastructure, and quality of life.
LkldNow’s Insight Polk independent reporting is made possible by the United Community Indicators Project with funding by GiveWell Community Foundation & United Way of Central Florida. All editorial decisions are made by LkldNow.
Kayla Borg is a Lakeland native and graduate of Western Carolina University, where she earned her degree in English and film production. She began her media career in Atlanta at CNN, quickly rising from production assistant editor to technical director/editor, leading live broadcasts alongside field reporters. Since then, she’s worked in education, instructional design and independent filmmaking.
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