Skate4Concrete Competition
Skate4Concrete Competition: Engaging Students and Inspiring Careers in Concrete
TCA is proud to showcase its impactful involvement with the Skate4Concrete (S4C) initiative, a dynamic educational program spearheaded by the Concrete Advancement Foundation in conjunction with Skate 4 Concrete. S4C leverages the exciting world of skateboarding to introduce students to the basics of concrete and to career opportunities in the concrete industry while fostering hands-on learning through activities such as constructing mini skateparks.
The Skate4Concrete curriculum engages students by connecting the design and construction of durable skateparks to broader concepts within the concrete sector. Through this initiative, students not only learn about the essential role concrete plays in everyday infrastructure but also gain exposure to diverse career pathways within the industry.
TCA’s Role in Driving S4C’s Success
TCA has taken a proactive role in promoting and expanding the Skate4Concrete program and curriculum across Tennessee. Recognizing the importance of bridging the gap between industry professionals and future concrete leaders, TCA engaged its members and board to champion the program in their local communities.
Our outreach efforts included targeted email campaigns, social media promotion and website updates to highlight the availability of the S4C curriculum. We actively engaged with Career & Technical Education teachers and students, encouraging them to sign up for the free S4C curriculum. Now, over 35 schools in Tennessee are actively implementing and teaching the curriculum to their students, and a total of 50 schools has expressed interest in offering the program.
Additionally, Tennessee has more employer links on the S4C website than any other state, making it the leading resource for connecting students with concrete industry employers. This achievement reflects TCA’s commitment to ensuring students can seamlessly explore career opportunities and connect with local industry leaders through the S4C program.
Launch of the Mini Concrete Skatepark Competition
To further enhance student engagement, TCA launched the statewide Mini Concrete Skatepark Competition as part of our Tennessee Skate4Concrete program. TCA developed mini concrete skatepark kits, delivering them to schools teaching the curriculum, at no cost to the schools. In 2024, the inaugural competition invited schools to present their completed skateparks at TCA’s Annual Convention. Students shared their creations, reflected on their experiences building the skateparks, and discussed challenges they encountered along the way.
Building on the success of the first competition, TCA is expanding the event into a full-day experience in April 2025, with the competition to be hosted on the campus of MTSU, in the new (and impressive!) Concrete & Construction Management building. About a dozen schools have already signed up to compete in April and we expect interest in this event to keep growing. This broader competition will offer students even more opportunities to showcase their skills, connect with industry professionals, and deepen their understanding of concrete’s role in construction. Plus, they will get a great introduction to the original Concrete Industry Management program!
Connecting Members with Schools
TCA is not only providing updates and information to its members but actively connecting Skate4Concrete schools with its member companies to help bridge the workforce gap. To facilitate this connection, TCA launched an interactive map that visually represents participating schools and their proximity to member companies. This tool highlights sponsorship opportunities for members while showcasing the impact they’ve already made in supporting the program.
By involving members directly, whether through school sponsorships, classroom visits or participation in events like the Mini Concrete Skatepark Competition, TCA ensures a meaningful link between the future workforce and the current concrete industry that is local and designed to be ongoing for the local member.
Long-Term Impact on Tennessee’s Concrete Workforce
As TCA continues to expand the reach of Skate4Concrete in Tennessee, its success exemplifies the association’s commitment to building a stronger, more innovative workforce while inspiring the next generation to explore the possibilities within the concrete industry.
A vital component of this effort is TCA’s Work in Concrete page, which serves as a bridge between potential employees and our member companies. By showcasing job opportunities, career paths and real-world applications of concrete, this resource directly connects students and job seekers to the industry. TCA’s proactive approach ensures that members benefit from a well-informed and motivated talent pipeline, strengthening the connection between education, workforce development and employment in Tennessee’s concrete sector.
Samples
Email blurb we sent to TCA members about our S4C efforts & sponsorship opportunities.
Social Media Posts
Check out our new interactive map and support local talent through TCA’s Skate4Concrete sponsorship!
TCA’s interactive map shows schools across Tennessee participating in the Skate4Concrete (S4C) program, where students learn how skateparks are built and explore careers in the concrete industry.
Blue pins indicate schools actively seeking sponsors for building mini skateparks in our annual competition. Red pins showcase schools already sponsored by a TCA member company.
Help inspire the next generation of concrete professionals by sponsoring a school near you! Ready to get involved? Email Joseph McDaniel at jmcdaniel@tnconcrete.org.
Let’s make an impact, one skatepark at a time! Check out the map and sponsor a school today: https://www.tnconcrete.org/news/support-local-talent-through-tcas-skate4concrete-sponsorship
Back in February at our 2024 TCA Annual Convention, we invited local TN high school students to present and showcase their Mini Concrete Skateparks as a part of our Skate 4 Concrete Competition. Convention attendees voted, and we were so thrilled to give Cane Ridge High School the First Place title for their Mini Concrete Skatepark!
Congratulations to these talented students for their outstanding creativity and craftsmanship. Your innovative designs are inspiring the future of concrete construction!
Learn more about TCA's work with the Skate 4 Concrete Program here: https://www.tnconcrete.org/cte-resources
This season of giving, helps inspire the next generation of concrete professionals!
Explore TCA’s new interactive map showcasing Tennessee schools participating in the Skate4Concrete (S4C) initiative—a program that uses skateboarding to introduce students to careers in concrete.
Partner with a local school to help them build mini skateparks and compete in our annual competition. Blue pins = Schools seeking sponsors!
Interested in sponsoring? Email Joseph McDaniel at jmcdaniel@tnconcrete.org to get started!
Let’s give back and shape the future! Learn more today: https://www.tnconcrete.org/news/support-local-talent-through-tcas-skate4concrete-sponsorship
