Turning Competition Into Careers

Carpentry

We Get SHED Done

What is S.H.E.D.?

This program focuses on hands on carpentry work with the High School Students. With teams of 6 students mentored by a local General and Specialty Contractor Company, they work to build a SHED up to code and spec based on plans given at the beginning of the competition.   

We are thrilled to share with you the fantastic ongoing partnership that Connect for Success NC has established with local general contractors and subcontractors to serve as mentors for high school students. Our mission is to increase awareness about and promote interest in construction-related careers, and we have seen tremendous success in this endeavor.

Through this partnership, we have been able to continually educate students about the construction industry and the various career opportunities it offers. One of the highlights of our program is the annual shed building competitions, also known as the Students’ Hands-on Experience Day (S.H.E.D.). 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 are in the process of meeting with administrators to expand this initiative to the Franklin, Granville, Nash, and Vance areas by 2026. This expansion will allow even 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.

Drafting Students - respond to RFP -Challenge Specs – If your school has a drafting program, encourage students to participate in designing the S.H.E.D. for this year’s competition. 

Carpentry Students will allow high school drafting and carpentry students to compete in a shed design and building competition.

Adobe Visual Design Students  Design graphics and logos to be used to brand WCPSS and S.H.E.D.  Design a new layout for the websites currently being used for S.H.E.D. and update information. Write, produce and distribute new :30 and :60 video ads and promos to be used to promote the S.H.E.D. competition to new business. 

Sign on Day – All students who have been offered internships and or careers will attend the sign on day at the end of the school year.

Electrical

Let Us Power Your Future

What is V.O.L.T.? 

CFSNC V.O.L.T competition, you will see 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. However, please note that Team Partners will not assist in the actual tasks during 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.

In 2026, we are thrilled to announce the addition of Level I and Level II categories to the competition. This expansion aims to engage and encourage even more students to participate. As in previous years, teams will consist of two students each. 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 keep. Furthermore, at our conference, we will also honor the contractor partners with plaques for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place.

We look forward to another successful competition and the opportunity to support and inspire the next generation of electrical professionals. If you have any questions or need further information, please feel free to reach out.

CAREER FAIR: A career/college fair will take place on the final competition day. This event will allow students and businesses to come together to meet and discuss the wide range of opportunities available in the construction industry.

SIGN ON DAY: All 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?

S.P.A.R.K. (Students Participating and Retaining Knowledge), our newest addition designed to engage and inspire our welding and Ag/Mechanic students. This competition is a fantastic opportunity for them 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.