Sixteen teams of four undergraduate students from colleges and universities nationwide put their construction project leadership skills to the test during Associated Builders and Contractors’ (ABC) annual Construction Management Competition (CMC) at ABC Convention 2018 in Long Beach, Calif. Teams were assigned to manage the completion of the same mock project over two days. First, second and third place awards in five categories were presented to the winners at the Careers in Construction Awards ceremony at the convention’s conclusion on March 22.

The team from Florida International University, sponsored by the ABC Florida East Coast Chapter, won first place overall, in addition to top honors in quality control, estimating and project management. The teams’ projects were graded on their excellence in estimating, project management, safety, quality control and overall presentation.

“ABC is impressed by the outstanding work of these future construction industry leaders. The Construction Management Competition is the hallmark competition that promotes careers in construction management,” said 2018 ABC National Chair George R. Nash Jr., director of preconstruction at Branch & Associates in Herndon, Va. “In addition to providing a significant learning opportunity, the competition fosters an environment that brings out the best in each team, encourages dialogue among the students and fosters team spirit as students rise to meet this challenge.”

The project for this year’s CMC, which was sponsored by Autodesk, Construction Executive magazine, RS Means and On Center Software, was focused on the modernization of the Will Rogers Middle School Campus, including upgrades and improvements to buildings on the campus and exterior sites. The project contained abatement, demolition, roofing, finishes, specialties, related MEPF and building systems, earthwork, site utilities, hardscape and exterior improvements. In addition, the campus had to remain open and accessible during construction, so coordination with the end user and the public was part of this project’s scope.

A full list of the 2018 CMC winners is available at abc.org.