ABC Facilitates SHED Construction Competition Among Charleston Area High School Students

As part of an ongoing partnership with Charleston Metro Chamber, Associated Builders and Contractors Carolinas Chapter held its second annual Build a SHED competition — an ABC Carolinas “Students Hands-On Experience Day” program.  The one-day Lowcountry competition was held on Friday, May 3, 2019, at the Exchange Park in Ladson, S.C.  The objective of this competition is to promote interest in construction-related careers through experiential learning.  

Once again ABC Carolinas Chapter and Charleston Metro Chamber engaged their members to serve as mentors and judges to the six teams from local high schools and one team from Eckerd Connects career-ready youth.

The Competition

The teams were tasked to build an 8′ x 11′ shed in seven hours. Each team was paired with a contractor and subcontractor coaching team. The participating ABC or Chamber general contractor member partnered with designated subcontractors to show the teamwork needed in construction.

All seven teams used the same blueprint and were mentored by their contractor coaches over a four-month period in the areas of safety, quality, planning, scheduling and communication. The coaches also educated the students on the many available career options in the construction industry, and provided insight into the job application process, resume writing, and interviewing. As part of their preparation for the competition, the students worked diligently to successfully complete their OSHA 10-Hour Certification prior to the event.  

Pamela Freeman, regional membership director for ABC Carolinas Chapter – Lowcountry, gave a play-by-play account of the day’s activities.  “We were so fortunate the weather was not a factor on the day of competition.  After a few announcements, the competition kicked off early in the morning with a safety overview.  The students focused on their tasks at hand as their coaches watched over them.  The excitement really picked up as we watched the walls and rafters going up.  The competition ended at 1:30 p.m.”

The competition was judged by a panel of 10 volunteers from local businesses and government agencies or departments. The judges looked at each shed, then evaluated them for technical correctness and completeness on wall framing, siding, roof framing and sheathing, windows, doors and trim.  The safety award judging criteria included personal protection equipment, ladder and scaffolding usage, housekeeping and work area, and coaching.

After the judging, three teams — Eckerd Connects, R.B. Stall High School, and Wando High Schools — were awarded first, second and third prize, respectively.  Berkeley High School won the Safety Award.  Following the awards presentation, the students and their coaches regrouped to finish their sheds.

Angela Latino, President/CEO of ABC Carolinas Chapter, presented Berkeley High School with the Safety Award.  Charleston Metro Chamber presented three engraved hammers to the First, Second and Third-Place winners.  The First Place winner also received a large trophy.

Baker Roofing finished the roofing the next day with their apprenticeship program.  The sheds were auctioned off to the highest bidder. Bidders included participating schools, ABC members, sponsors, local businesses and members of the community. The proceeds will be used to support future talent initiatives, like this one.   All sheds were delivered to their new owners that week.

Event organizers and school representatives agree that all teams did a tremendous job working together to build a shed in just 6.5 hours.

The Teams and Winners

Following is an alphabetical listing of the teams with placement in the competition noted.

Berkeley High School  —  Safety Award Winner, coached by Samet Corporation/Precision Walls, Inc. and sponsored by Thompson Turner Construction.

Burke High School, coached by Charleston County Government and sponsored by Low Country Case and Millwork.

Charleston County School of the Arts, coached by HITT Contracting/Feyen Zylstra and sponsored by Cullum Constructors Inc.

Cross High School, coached by Centennial Contractors/Bonitz and sponsored by C.F. Evans.

Eckerd Connect Team — First Place Winner, coached by Thompson Turner Construction/Trident Construction/Cullum Constructors Inc. and sponsored by the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce (SCDEW).

R.B. Stall High School — Second Place Winner, coached by Miller Valentine Group/Yellowstone Landscape and sponsored by C.F. Evans.

Wando High School — Third Place Winner, coached by Choate Construction Company/Quantum Coatings and sponsored by Choate Construction.

Salute to Sponsors

In addition to the team sponsors mentioned above, the following companies helped make the 2nd Annual ABC Carolinas Chapter /Charleston Metro Chamber’s Build a Shed event a success:

Baker Roofing — Roof Sponsors

The Citadel STEM Center of Excellence — Team Lunch Sponsor

Lowe’s — Materials Sponsor

Special Thank You

Event organizers made a special point to thank these organizations for their support:

Carolina Waste and Recycling

C.R. Hipp Construction Inc.

Exchange Park

Harold Prince Towing and Shed Movers

Herc Rentals

Apple Spice

Williams Scotsman

Jersey Mike’s

Motion Film Works

Lee Edwards Entertainment

About ABC Carolinas Chapter — Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) Chapter represents merit shop contractors and related firms in North Carolina and South Carolina. ABC Carolinas Chapter is part of the national ABC organization which represents more than 26,000 members.  For more information and news, visit www.abccarolinas.org.