CarolinaPower Project Manager Helps High School Students Learn Real-World Construction Skills
As part of an ongoing partnership with Charleston Metro Chamber, ABC Carolinas once again held its Build a SHED competition — an ABC Carolinas “Students Hands-On Experience Day” program intended to promote interest in construction-related careers through experiential learning. The one-day Lowcountry competition was held in March at the Exchange Park in Ladson, S.C.
The student teams from six Charleston-area high schools 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. Other member volunteers served as judges.
CarolinaPower’s Joey Jose, project manager, was assigned to work with Distinct Builders as a mentor/coach to the Lucy Beckham High School team, which ended up taking First Place in the competition! Joey and his fellow volunteers mentored the students during the two months leading up to the Build a SHED day, performed site set-up and built the floor/foundation for the shed ahead of the event, and were on hand to advise/assist the students during the competition.
Joey explained, “We coached the students in reading the drawings to properly construct the walls, including window and door openings, as well as the roof. Saws and nail guns were to be used by the coaches only. The competition began at 8 a.m. and ended at 2:30 p.m. The teams were scored according to a number of criteria – structural completeness, safety, and technical elements. Our team was the furthest along in terms of the shed being totally completed when the time expired.”
The students departed around 3:30 p.m. after the awards ceremony. It was up to each team’s coaches to finish building their respective sheds so that the structures could be auctioned off to potential donors.
The top three teams were recognized at the awards ceremony sponsored by Evans General Contractors:
1st place- Lucy Beckham High School, coached by Distinct Builders and CarolinaPower. (Joey pictured in main photo above, back row, third from left).
2nd place- Berkeley High School, coached by Samet Corporation and Cullum Mechanical.
3rd place- James Island Charter High School, coached by Miller Valentine Construction and KELLER.
The winning team from Lucy Beckham High School received a hammer trophy for their school, gifts from Evans Construction Company, and tool kits from Milwaukee Tool. All participating students received Milwaukee Tool tool belts and program certificates.
ABC Carolinas was quick to recognize the remaining participating schools, contractors, and trade partners:
- Baptist Hill High School – Frampton Construction & 35 North Painting & Drywall
- East Cooper Center for Advanced Studies – HITT Contracting Inc. & BrandSafway
- Cross High School – EDIFICE Construction & Sunstate Equipment Co., LLC Equipment.
In addition, Baker Roofing Company finished all six roofs so the sheds could be purchase-ready from any community member looking to start their summer with a new tool shed.
Other sponsors and partners who helped make this event possible included: 84 Lumber, Graycor, Carolinas Waste, Choate Construction Company, Holy City Towing, and United Rentals.
