Apprenticeship Skill Competition Showcases Success!

A record number of competitors are signed up for ABC of Wisconsin’s 34th Annual Apprenticeship Skill Competition. The competition will take place December 10 in West Bend.

The competition highlights the skilled apprentices who are in their final stages of training with the ABC of Wisconsin Apprenticeship Program. This year 46 apprentices have applied to compete in the program. Demand was so great that a waitlist also exists for additional interested competitors. The turnout demonstrates the growing interest both in ABC of Wisconsin’s Apprenticeship program, and also a renewed excitement about working in the skilled trades.

“ABC members celebrate merit, and this competition is an excellent way to honor competitors for their skills,” says Michael McDonald, Apprenticeship Director. “We believe this competition, and also our apprenticeship program, are both growing because more people are finding value in skilled trades.”

ABC Members are encouraged to join us to watch the competitors complete their assigned projects. Following the physical component, the competitors will  complete a written test. Their projects will be judged and test scores considered. At the end of the day, winners will be selected in Carpentry, Plumbing, Electrical and HVAC. First place competitors will move on to compete at ABC National’s Skill Competition in February.

In addition to the apprentices, more than 100 high school students are planning to attend. They are students with a curiosity about skilled trades careers. The event allows them to see various trades at work in real time, and also provides a hands-on component for them to experiment with some of the tools used.

“We believe one of the best ways to showcase the benefits of a career in skilled trades is to let students see apprentices in action,” says Elizabeth Roddy, Director of Workforce Outreach. “We know they benefit from seeing the projects, and our goal is to help them understand the in-demand skills that can be acquired through apprenticeship.”

Join ABC at SkillComp on Tuesday, December 10. The event takes place at the Washington County Fair Park (3000 Pleasant Valley Rd. West Bend, WI 53095). The Practical Competition runs 8-12, with tests in the afternoon and awards announced after 3:30 p.m. For more information, see the SkillComp page on our site.