The Northwest Georgia Skills Challenge returns to Rome in October, and Chattooga County will again have a strong connection to the regional skilled-trades competition.

The Associated General Contractors of Georgia will hold the 2026 Northwest Georgia Skills Challenge on Thursday, October 22, in Rome, one of eight regional competitions being held across the state.

Students will compete in hands-on construction and technical events including blueprint reading, cabinetmaking, carpentry, electrical, masonry, plumbing, TeamWorks, welding and welding fabrication. The Northwest Georgia competition will also include metal studs and drywall.

For Chattooga High School, this year’s event follows a standout performance in 2025.

Chattooga High won the Alliance Cup as the overall winner of the 2025 Northwest Georgia Skills Challenge, with the school earning multiple first-place and top-three finishes across several competition categories.

The regional event gives high school students an opportunity to demonstrate their abilities in front of construction industry professionals while also learning more about careers in the skilled trades.

According to AGC Georgia, last year’s Skills Challenge Series drew more than 2,300 student competitors and observers from 108 schools, along with nearly 350 participating industry firms.

The competition can also serve as a pathway to the state level. Eligible SkillsUSA Georgia students competing in several categories can earn advancement to the SkillsUSA Georgia State Leadership and Skills Conference, scheduled for March 11-13, 2027, in Atlanta.

For Chattooga High, the October event will provide another opportunity for local students to represent Chattooga County and build on the school’s overall regional championship from last year.