22nd Annual N.C. State Fair HVAC/R Apprentice Contest

DIVISION 101 – APPRENTICE CONTESTS

Class 06 – HV/AC-R

Contest Information:

• DATE: Friday, October 23, 2026, contestant check-in starts promptly at 7:30 a.m.
• LOCATION: N.C. State Fair, behind the Jim Graham Building off of Hillsborough Street
• JUDGING: Upon contest completion, a panel of judges will evaluate the projects according to an official rubric.
• AWARDS: Presented Friday, October 23, 2026, 3:00 p.m., following the completion of judging.
• PREMIUMS: 1st Place: $325, 2nd Place: $225, 3rd Place: $175, 4th Place: $125, 5th Place: $100, 6th-10th Places: $75
• Tools donated by manufacturers and suppliers will be presented to all contestants.
• The first-place winner and their employer will be recognized with plaques at a later date.

Registration Rules & Information:

• Contest registration opens at 8:00 a.m. on July 15, 2026, and closes at 11:59 p.m. on September 4, 2026.
  • A registration link will appear on this page when registration opens. 
•  Contestants cannot enter themselves. Their entry forms must be submitted by their employers/program sponsors.
• The contest is limited to Registered Apprentices and Registered Pre-Apprentices enrolled in ApprenticeshipNC-recognized HVAC/R programs.
• Preference will be given to Registered Apprentices through September 4, 2026.
  • After this date, remaining spaces will be filled by Registered Pre-Apprentices on a first-come, first-served basis.
•  Contestants must be approved for contest participation by their employer, program sponsor, or the Contest Committee.
• Contestants must have completed less than 8,000 hours of training and must not have completed their Registered Apprenticeship or Registered Pre-Apprenticeship Program prior to Friday, October 23, 2026.
• All required documentation must be submitted prior to the start of the contest in order for contestants to compete.
• Previous first place winners are ineligible to compete in future contests.
• Contest limited to 12 qualified contestants. ApprenticeshipNC will maintain an alternate list.

Contest Planning Committee:

• Amy Davis-Moore—ApprenticeshipNC
• Bill Spidel— Mecklenburg County Code Enforcement (Ret.)
• Johnny Smith—Comfort Solutions HVAC Inc.
• John Todaro— Mecklenburg County Code Enforcement
• John Turnage—Umpire Technologies Group
• Kevin Ryan—Town of Cary Inspections
• Margaret Spainhour—ApprenticeshipNC

The State of North Carolina will require the submission of a NC Substitute W-9 prior to making any payment of $600 or greater or any payment that results in a total of $600 or more during one calendar year from the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to any individual or entity. All exhibitors are strongly encouraged to complete and upload the NC Substitute W-9 form to prevent any delay in receiving premium prize money.

Due to entry deadline extensions by committees, some contestants, contributors, and/or sponsors may not be listed in the printed program. These individuals and organizations will be acknowledged at the awards presentation. The contest committee reserves the right to make changes prior to the contest date. Updates to any contest will be posted at www.apprenticeshipnc.com/events.

About the Contest:

Held annually for over 20 years, the N.C. State Fair HVAC/R Apprentice Contest promotes interest in skilled trades and highlights the next generation of North Carolina’s workforce. The contest is organized by ApprenticeshipNC, the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and industry partners and employers. It brings together the state’s top HVAC/R apprentices compete head-to-head to demonstrate their technical skill, knowledge, and precision.

For registration or contest related questions, please contact ApprenticeshipNC Communications Assistant Margaret Spainhour at spainhourm@nccommunitycolleges.edu.