Seven Teams to Compete in The Roofing Industry Alliance for Progress’ Fourth Construction Management Student Competition at IRE 

The Construction Management Student Competition promotes careers in construction management.

Rosemont, Il.  – The Roofing Industry Alliance for Progress will host seven teams from undergraduate universities across the U.S. to compete in its fourth annual Construction Management Student Competition. This is the largest group to compete in the hallmark competition that promotes careers in construction management and will culminate with presentations at NRCA’s 131st Annual Convention and the 2018 International Roofing Expo® (IRE) in New Orleans.

The competition is part of an educational partnership with schools of construction management: McWhorter School of Building Sciences at Auburn University, Auburn, Ala.; Department of Construction Management at Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colo.; M.E. Rinker Sr. School of Building Construction at the University of Florida, Gainesville., Fla.; Robert R. Taylor School of Architecture and Construction Science at Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, Ala; Bert S. Turner Department of Construction Management at Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, La.; Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, Ga., and University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio.

In addition to providing a significant learning opportunity, the Alliance’s 2018 Construction Management Student Competition fosters an environment that is meant to bring out the best in each team; encourage dialogue among the students; and foster team spirit as students rise to meet the challenge.

Teams participating in the competition have been presented with a problem statement: Create a company to bid on installing a roof system on the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas in New Orleans. Each team is required to research the project, review the plans and specifications, and assemble a full estimate and proposal to submit a qualified bid package. All teams must strive to find a competitive edge in their estimate to beat their competition while still maintaining a reasonable margin. For this project, it is important to decide on the correct application methods, show overall roofing knowledge and illustrate a company team is prepared to undertake the project.

Oral presentations will take place Wednesday, Feb. 7 from 7:45 to 11:15 a.m. during NRCA’s 131st Annual Convention and the 2018 International Roofing Expo at the Morial Convention Center in New Orleans.

The winning teams will be announced during NRCA’s Industry Awards Ceremony and Cocktail Reception Feb. 7. The first-place team will receive a team trophy, a $5,000 L.B. Conway scholarship for their school and individual awards.

The second-place team will receive a team trophy, a $2,500 scholarship for their school and individual awards.

The Best Individual Student Presenter will be selected from any of the finalist teams and will receive an iPad.

All winners will receive recognition in Professional Roofing magazine, among other promotions.

For photos of schools participating in the 2018 Construction Management Competition, visit www.roofingindustryalliance.net/2018-Student-Competition.

For more information about the Alliance student competition, contact Bennett Judson, the Alliance’s executive director, at (800) 323-9545, ext. 7513 or bjudson@roofingindustryalliance.net.

The Roofing Industry Alliance for Progress was established within the National Roofing Foundation (NRF) to create an endowment fund to serve as a highly focused resource for the roofing industry and its customers. The Alliance’s objectives are to conduct research and education projects that support high quality programs for roofing contractors; ensure timely and forward-thinking industry responses to major economic and technological issues; and enhance the long-term viability and attractiveness of the industry to roofing workers. The Alliance also reached out to the roofing community and its members and helps fund efforts dedicated to good works and charitable giving. More information about the Alliance is available at www.roofingindustryalliance.net.