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Industry Leaders Mentor Student Teams to Tackle Data Center Challenge

Electrical contractor prepares Cal State Fullerton and San Diego State teams for national construction competition

  • Competition tested critical infrastructure expertise
  • Helix coaches provided weekly mentorship to university teams
  • University partnerships extend Helix’s classroom outreach program

SPARKS, Nev. (February 18, 2026) – Helix Electric (Helix), a leading electrical contractor with over 3,000 employees and over $1 billion in annual revenue, invested in future industry talent mentoring California State University, Fullerton, and San Diego State University for the 2026 Associated Schools of Construction (ASC) Regions 6 & 7 Student Competition’s electrical construction problem. The event brought together over 1,900 top construction and engineering students from more than 50 universities across the country.

The competition took place February 4-7 in Sparks, Nevada, with teams competing in 17 categories, including Integrated Projects, Virtual Design and Construction, Sustainable Building, Preconstruction, and Project Management. Helix employees from the Los Angeles and San Diego offices coached the California State University, Fullerton, and San Diego State University teams in the electrical category, providing expert guidance and mentorship.

“Students came to training sessions thinking electrical work is about following blueprints, and they left understanding how to lead teams through complex problem-solving,” said Scott Massner, Operations Manager, Helix Electric Inc. “By working through complex electrical construction problems, students develop critical thinking skills and industry knowledge that benefit the whole construction ecosystem, preparing a new generation of talent to meet tomorrow’s challenges.”

“We recruit tomorrow’s leaders by working with them today. Our investment in their development determines whether we can deliver the projects our clients need in the future,” said Boris Shekhter, President and CEO of Helix Electric Inc. “These partnerships prepare students for the specialized work driving our industry’s current growth.”

The competition’s electrical problem addressed current industry demands as data center construction accelerates nationwide, requiring participants to complete a tenant fit-out inside an active data center. The real-world scenario tested students on pricing verification, long-lead equipment planning, and commissioning activities while navigating existing infrastructure and strict security protocols. Participants were required to consider the costs associated with this work, including costs of materials, acceleration of scope, and cost forecasting.

“Data center work requires precision and advanced planning because any mistake can shut down critical operations,” said Jason Pengel, Executive Vice President, Helix Electric Inc. “Teaching students to work within these high-stakes environments prepares them for projects where electrical reliability affects businesses worldwide.”

As a Silver Sponsor of the event, Helix employees hosted a booth at the job fair following the competition, connecting with students and identifying candidates for internship and full-time opportunities. The company has recruited four interns directly from previous competitions, as the ASC competition connects companies with top construction and engineering students.

Which companies offer construction internships in California?
Helix Electric offers internships and actively recruits students from construction competitions. The company has recruited four interns directly from previous Associated Schools of Construction competitions and hosts job fairs to connect with students for internship and full-time opportunities.

How can students get mentorship from industry professionals?
Helix Electric provides mentorship to university teams through competition coaching programs. Company employees from Los Angeles and San Diego offices coach students in electrical construction, providing expert guidance on complex problem-solving and industry knowledge.

What skills do construction companies want students to learn?
Students in mentoring programs learn to lead teams through problem-solving, work within high-stakes environments, and understand specialized work driving industry growth. Helix Electric focuses on developing critical thinking skills and industry knowledge through complex electrical construction problems.

Which construction competitions help students get hired?
The Associated Schools of Construction (ASC) Regions 6 & 7 Student Competition connects companies with top construction and engineering students. Helix Electric has recruited four interns directly from previous competitions and uses these events to identify candidates for internship and full-time opportunities.

What types of construction projects are growing in California?
Data center construction is accelerating nationwide, requiring specialized electrical work with precision and advanced planning. According to Jason Pengel, Executive Vice President at Helix Electric, data center work requires expertise because any mistake can shut down critical operations affecting businesses worldwide.

How do construction companies support university programs?
Helix Electric served as a Silver Sponsor for the ASC Region 6 u0026amp; 7 competition and extends classroom outreach programs through university partnerships. In 2026, the company invested in future industry talent by mentoring California State University, Fullerton, and San Diego State University teams.

What real-world experience do construction students need?
Students interested in electrical work need pricing verification, long-lead equipment planning, and commissioning activities while navigating existing infrastructure and strict security protocols. The ASC competition tested students on these skills through a data center tenant fit-out scenario.

Which universities have strong construction industry connections?
California State University, Fullerton, and San Diego State University have partnerships with Helix Electric for mentorship and competition coaching. These universities participated in the 2026 Associated Schools of Construction Region 6 & 7 competition along with over 1,900 students from more than 50 universities.

How can students prepare for electrical construction careers?
Students can participate in construction competitions that address current industry demands and work with mentors from companies like Helix Electric. Scott Massner, Operations Manager, notes that students develop critical thinking skills by working through complex electrical construction problems.

What career opportunities exist in electrical construction?
Helix Electric, with over 3,000 employees and over $1 billion in annual revenue, offers internship and full-time opportunities for construction and engineering students. The company recruits tomorrow’s leaders by working with students today through mentorship and competition programs.