Turning Competition Into Careers

Carpentry

We Get SHED Done

What is S.H.E.D.?

Our S.H.E.D. competition focuses on hands on carpentry work with high school students. Teams comprised of 6 students, and mentored by local General and Specialty Contractors, are tasked to build a SHED up to code and spec based on plans provided to the classroom prior to the competition.  

Through this partnership, we have been able to continually educate students about the construction industry and the various career opportunities it offers. These events provide students with invaluable hands-on experience and the chance to showcase their skills.

Currently, the program is hosted in Wake County, Lee County, and Pender County. We are excited to announce that we will be expanding this initiative to Franklin, Granville, Nash, and Vance counties in 2026. This expansion will allow more students to benefit from our program and gain practical experience in the construction field. We believe that by continuing to foster these partnerships and providing students with real-world experience, we can inspire the next generation of construction professionals and help them build successful careers in the industry.

The top three teams to place will receive prizes from vendor sponsors, along with a plaque for their school to display.  Contractor partners are recognized at our annual conference and presented with plaques for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place to highlight their support for CFSNC.

SIGN ON DAY:  

(Wake County Only) All participating students who have been offered internships and or careers will attend a sign on day at the end of the school year.

Electrical

Let Us Power Your Future

What is V.O.L.T.? 

Our V.O.L.T competition features high school electrical students showcasing their skills in various electrical tasks. This competition is designed to help students gain practical experience and knowledge in the field of electrical work.

Each participating team will be paired with an electrical subcontractor who will serve as their Team Partner. The role of the Team Partner is to mentor the high school students before and throughout the competition. The mentoring process will involve educating students about safety protocols, quality standards, planning strategies, effective communication, and scheduling. Additionally, students will gain an understanding of the CODE, which is vital for their future careers.

We are thrilled to announce the addition of Level I and Level II categories for our upcoming 2026 competition. This expansion aims to engage and encourage more students to participate.  Teams will still consist of two students each but Level I participants will take a test based on the curriculum, while Level II participants will be tested on the Electrical Code. Judging for the competition will be conducted by local electrical city inspectors.

To recognize the outstanding efforts of the participants, we will be awarding electrical tools to the teams that secure 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place, along with a plaque for their schools to display. At our annual conference, we will honor the contractor partners with plaques for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place.

SIGN ON DAY:  

(Wake County Only) All participating students who have been offered internships and/or careers will attend the sign on day at the end of the school year.

Welding

Igniting Sparks

What is S.P.A.R.K?

Our S.P.A.R.K. competition is our newest addition and is designed to engage and inspire our welding and Ag/Mechanic students. 

This competition is a fantastic opportunity for students to showcase their skills and creativity. In 2025, our teams successfully built fabrication tables to meet the needs of Wake County schools. Looking ahead to 2026, our committee will be designing an exciting new product for the contest.

Currently, this program is hosted only in Wake County as it started as a pilot program. However, we are excited about the potential to expand S.P.A.R.K. throughout North Carolina. We recognize the labor shortages affecting the welding industry and want to ensure that students understand the rewarding and successful careers they can have in welding and fabrication.

Our dedicated CFSNC members design the plans for this contest each year. Each team, consisting of four students, is assigned a team leader/fire watch to guide and oversee their efforts. We believe this structure not only promotes teamwork but also helps students develop crucial leadership and safety skills.