The European Federation of Timber and Wood Construction (E.V.H) has held the European Professional Competition for Carpenters every two years since 1994. At the European Competition, as is the case at all national professional competitions, a challenging roof truss model or wooden pavilion is built within a certain time-frame, and is subsequently evaluated by a jury of experts. The purpose is to determine the best carpenter in Europe and the best nation of carpenters. There is an individual ranking and national ranking.

The participating countries may send a maximum of three carpenters to the European Competition. Skilled workers who have completed their vocational training as a carpenter and who are no older than 23 years of age are entitled to participate in the competition.

By holding the European Professional Competition for Carpenters the E.V.H aims to push the professional image of carpenters into the public spotlight and emphasize the achievements of vocational education in the field of timber and wood construction. The European Competition provides an overview of the state of vocational training in the carpentry handwork within the individual participating countries. Furthermore, the next generation of professionals in timber and wood construction are required by the European Professional Competition to show top performances in competition which go far beyond level of master carpenter.