At a time when California is working to close the skilled trades gap and expand career pathways for youth, sixteen Sacramento County Office of Education (SCOE) students participated in this year’s 40th anniversary Northern California Construction Industry (CIEF) Design Build Competition. Their hard work earned them the “Craftsmanship Award,” which recognizes the design and the quality of the build.
The award is a testament to what happens when education and industry work together to create opportunities where students can thrive. Events like these demonstrate the power of work-based learning and pre-apprenticeship programs to prepare young people for careers that are both stable and meaningful.
The SCOE team included students from Nathaniel S. Colley, Sr., Eleanor L. Hickey, and Leo A. Palmiter Jr./Sr. High Schools. Students worked with longtime SCOE partner Northern California Construction Training (NCCT) to learn the basics of the construction trade and transition to careers in the construction industry.
The hands-on construction challenge offered students more than just a chance to win awards—it provided real-world experience, industry mentorship, and a direct path into high-demand careers. SCOE students aren’t just building structures—they’re building futures.
One of the NCCT instructors, Mike Anckner, described how proud he and the staff were to see the students’ hard work. “In just those two days, we as a staff were able to witness so many memorable moments—from the students verbalizing their positive experience to watching their confidence grow right before our eyes,” he said. Mikai Grays, a student from Hickey, agreed, explaining that he enjoyed the competition because he got the opportunity to use more tools and be part of building the design in just two days.
Competition Details
Held April 30 and May 1 at Cosumnes River College, the competition was the culmination of a four-month program. Each of the 42 teams was challenged to design and prepare construction documents that meet CIEF criteria, then come together to build what they designed in just two days. Industry professionals judged the teams on various aspects, including design, construction, code compliance, and safety. CIEF provided the construction materials with help from industry sponsors and philanthropic supporters.