Hardscape Installation Draws a Crowd at the National Collegiate Landscape Competition

From March 16-19 students from across the United States gathered at the North Carolina State University for the 46th Annual National Collegiate Landscape Competition (NCLC) organized by the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP).

The NCLC is the largest national competition and career recruitment event for college students studying horticulture and landscaping, with approximately 530 students from 41 colleges competing each year in 31 events. Students demonstrate their skills in tree climbing, patio building, identifying horticulture specimens, skid steer operation, sales presentations, exterior/interior design, irrigation troubleshooting, wood construction, and more.

On March 16, students attended workshops to sharpen their knowledge and abilities on a wide range of topics related to the landscape industry and completed qualification exams that would allow them to participate in the competitive events. A Career Fair started on March 17 which several ICPI members participated including Belgard, Ewing, Grunder Landscaping Co., Lifescape, Para Space Landscaping, Permaloc, SiteOne, Southview Design, and Weller Brothers Landscaping. In the afternoon competitive event briefings were held to inform the students about the details, procedures, and requirements of the events. On March 18 each student was allowed to participate in up to three events. ICPI staff provided support for the workshop, competition briefing, and hardscape installation event.

In the Hardscape Installation event, 31 teams constructed an 8 ft x 8 ft interlocking concrete pavement patio in a basketweave pattern with a soldier course and L-shaped seat wall. Teams were given 110 minutes to compete the task. All teams did well, and each fought the clock right to the very last second. Afterwards each installation was evaluated by a team of judges and scores were awarded for accuracy, structural soundness, site cleanup, and safety. In the end the following students/schools were named the Top 3.

HARDSCAPE INSTALLATION

First Place

UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS – AMHERST

JOSEPH CONTARDO and AMANDA RAMSDELL

Second Place

COLUMBUS STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

OWEN FORCHIONE and AJ MCCOY

Third Place

SUNY COBLESKILL

MICHAEL FASANELLA and NICHOLAS KIMBALL

Belgard and Permaloc will be sponsoring the first and second place teams to compete at Hardscape North America, October 19-21, in Louisville KY, in the 2022 HNA Installer Championship.

ICPI staff also took the opportunity to promote the licensing of the Concrete Paver Installer Course to schools that are currently not qualified to teach the course to their students.

Landscape and horticulture graduates are in high demand. The chronic workforce shortage in the landscape industry means there is plenty of opportunity for students to select their desired career paths and locations. The National Collegiate Landscape Competition brings students and companies together to build a strong future for the industry.