ATLANTA - Organizers of a construction career expo in Atlanta say the event is aimed at closing a skilled labor gap in the state.

The Governor's Office of Workforce Development and the Construction Education Foundation of Georgia are hosting a convention Thursday and Friday to give students a chance to explore possible career paths and network with employers across the state. The showcase is being hosted at the Georgia International Convention Center.

Governor's Office of Workforce Development Director Ben Hames says the expo is part of the state's larger mission to build a skilled workforce for the future.

Organizers of the expo say more than 7,000 middle, high school and college students are expected to attend the event, along with representatives from more than 300 companies.