The National Collegiate Landscape Competition (NCLC) is an exciting annual event that brings together hundreds of college students from across the country to compete in a series of challenging hardscape competitions. This year’s event was hosted by Mississippi State University, where more than 600 students from 47 different schools gathered to showcase their skills and knowledge in the field of hardscape installation. Belgard sales representative Andrew Harris attended the event, noting, “This is the next generation of leaders in the industry. These students are one day going to be running their own companies, selling hardscape projects, training their own crews, and learning from events like this how to install the products properly.”
The 2023 NCLC Competition
This year’s competition featured 32 collegiate teams. Each one was vying for the top spot in a series of events that tested their knowledge and skills in areas such as products, materials, efficiency, design, and more. The teams were each required to complete specified paver pad that incorporated a unique design and a vertical component. Racing the clock to complete their project, each team had to be dialed in for speed, accuracy, and design. The top two teams from the competition advance to the Hardscape North America (HNA) Installer Competition in October. There, they will compete against the best installers in the country.
This year’s NCLC winner was the team from Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. The Penn State College team earned second place. These teams demonstrated exceptional skill, knowledge, and creativity with both finished designs. Their success in the competition is a testament to their hard work and dedication to learning, managing and executing hardscape installation.
Belgard and ANCHOR Diamond: Proud Sponsors
Belgard and ANCHOR Diamond, two of the leading companies in the hardscape industry, were actively involved in the NCLC. Both companies participated in educational seminars, sponsored the hardscape competition, and hosted booths at the career fair. Belgard and ANCHOR Diamond are passionate about helping the next generation of hardscape professionals develop the skills and knowledge they need to be successful upon graduation.
The NCLC career fair booths offered students the chance to connect with industry leaders and companies in the hardscape industry. This event is a great way for students to learn more about the industry, explore career paths, and gain more insight into the ins and outs of hardscape contracting and management.
Overall, this year’s NCLC event at Mississippi State University was a huge success. This event provided students with valuable opportunities to grow, learn and connect with others in the industry. We look forward to seeing BYU and Penn State College compete in October at HNA in Louisville, Kentucky.
