The GMF Steel Career Fair, held on February 27, 2026, at the Sun ‘n Fun Expo Campus in Lakeland, Florida, successfully drew over 800 students from 18 high schools across Polk and Hillsborough counties.
This annual event is a major push by GMF Steel Group to address the growing demand for skilled labor in Florida’s construction industry, which currently employs roughly 8.5% of the local workforce.
Event Highlights
- Hands-on Exposure: Students participated in live demonstrations, including welding techniques, operating cranes, and rebar tying.
- Broad Career Spectrum: Beyond the trades, the fair showcased “white-collar” roles within construction, such as finance, insurance, and project management.
- Industry Collaboration: The event was supported by the Steel Erectors Association of America (SEAA) and featured several other contractors, including Bowman Steel and Gardner-Watson Decking.
- Investment in Youth: GMF Steel invested approximately $18,000 specifically to bus students to the venue, ensuring accessibility for the next generation of workers.
Why It Matters
With Florida’s population continuing to rise, the demand for infrastructure—and the workers to build it—is at an all-time high. Recent data shows that median wages for specialized skilled trades now range from $65,000 to $85,000, often outpacing the starting salaries of many four-year college graduates.
Opportunities at GMF Steel
For those who missed the fair, GMF Steel offers several entry points for students and recent graduates:
| Program | Details |
| Apprenticeship | A free, NCCER-accredited Structural Steel Ironworker program where participants are paid employees with full benefits. |
| Summer Internships | A 12-week program for 2026 focusing on hands-on steel industry experience. |
| New Graduate Roles | Full-time positions in departments like Estimating, Fabrication, and Field Operations for Spring 2026 grads. |
“The more you get exposed to different industries, the more you start finding an attraction to a certain area.” — Andy Norman, President of GMF Steel Group