Contact: Kristi Pronovost
Director of Marketing & Communications
(717) 653-8106 or kristi@abckeystone.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 20, 2021
(MANHEIM, Pa.) Four ABC Keystone apprentices received top scores at the Keystone Chapter’s annual Local Craft Competition on Saturday, September 18, 2021, held at the Chapter’s state-of-the-art training facility in Manheim. The top scorers who demonstrated their superior skills, training and safe work practices will receive an all-expenses paid trip to the upcoming 2022 ABC National Craft Competition (NCC) to be held March 15-17, 2022, in San Antonio, Texas. At the National Craft Competition, they will compete against apprentices from ABC’s 69 chapters nationwide.
The event was open to the public and attended by family and friends of the apprentices and Keystone Chapter members which provided the competitors the opportunity to compete in an energized and busy environment replicating the experience of competing at ABC’s National Competition. Competitors kept their diligent focus to their craft and maintained strict attention to safety while working on projects which had been carefully designed to test the apprentices’ practical and problem-solving skills. This hands-on portion of the competition contributed to 75% of their total score and was judged by construction industry professionals. Prior to the practical trade skills competition, the apprentices were required to take a written test contributing to the remaining 25% of their total score. During the written test, they proved their academic understanding and knowledge gained throughout their education program.
To earn a spot at ABC Keystone’s local competition, apprentices must rank within the top five of their trade class. ABC Keystone commends all who earned the opportunity to compete. “The Keystone Chapter is proud of the accomplishments of these twelve apprentices who have shown throughout their education that they have what it takes to be top craftspeople now and in the future. They have bright futures ahead of them and multiple avenues for success as they continue their career paths. The construction industry is facing a severe workforce shortage, and it is ABC Keystone’s priority to train tomorrow’s craftspeople and future leaders to help bridge this gap,” said ABC Keystone’s Director of Apprenticeship, Cindy DeWire.
In appreciation of the apprentices’ hard work and dedicated efforts training for this event, competitors received a $50 Visa gift card, and, in addition to their all-expenses paid trip to the ABC National Competition, the top scorers received a $75 Visa gift card.
Congratulations to the 2021 ABC Keystone
Local Craft Competition Top Scorers:
Listed in alpha order by trade:
Competitor (Hometown),Trade, Company
Michael Harker (Dillsburg), Carpentry, Wohlsen Construction Company (Lancaster)
Jeremy Landis, (Etters), Electrical, Meadow Valley Electric, Inc. (Ephrata)
Andrew Speicher (Camp Hill), HVAC, W.C. Eshenaur and Son, Inc. (Harrisburg)
Joe Mazzur (Ephrata), Plumbing, Brubaker, Inc. (Lancaster)
Congratulations to all apprentices having earned the opportunity to compete at the ABC Keystone Local Craft Competition:
Listed in alpha order by trade:
Competitor (Hometown),Trade, Company
Michael Harker (Dillsburg), Carpentry, Wohlsen Construction Company (Lancaster)
Zane Richards (Mount Joy), Carpentry, Benchmark Construction Co., Inc. (Brownstown)
Haley Shuman (Lancaster), Carpentry, Benchmark Construction Co., Inc. (Brownstown)
John Friel (Dauphin), Electrical, CV Services, Inc. (Mechanicsburg)
Jason Green (Enola), Electrical, Lancaster Plumbing and Heating (East Petersburg)
Jeremy Landis (Etters), Electrical, Meadow Valley Electric, Inc. (Ephrata)
Cory Zimmerman (Akron), Electrical, Tekrins, Inc. (Ephrata)
Andrew Speicher (Camp Hill), HVAC, W.C. Eshenaur and Son, Inc. (Harrisburg)
Jeffrey Deimler, Jr. (Lancaster), Plumbing, George D. Boyer & Sons, Inc. (Harrisburg)
Benjamin Martinke (Temple), Plumbing, Zimmerman Plumbing, Heating & A.C., Inc. (Schaefferstown)
Joe Mazzur (Ephrata), Plumbing, Brubaker, Inc. (Lancaster)
Melissa Turano (Manheim), Plumbing, Protech Mechanical Contractors, Inc. (Landisville)
The Keystone Chapter’s PA-registered apprenticeship program offers education in nine trades and focuses on hands-on education under the guidance of experienced instructors. To learn more, please visit https://abckeystone.orgapprenticeship
Pictured Left to Right: Michael Harker (Carpentry), Wohlsen Construction Company, Jeremy Landis (Electrical) Meadow Valley Electric, Inc., Andrew Speicher (HVAC) W.C. Eshenaur & Son Inc., and Joe Mazzur (Plumbing) Brubaker Inc.
*high resolution photos available upon request
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The Keystone Chapter of Associated Builders & Contractors (ABC) is a construction trade association based in Manheim, Pennsylvania, representing over 500 construction-related firms. Founded on the merit shop philosophy, ABC and its 69 chapters nation-wide help members win work and deliver that work safely, ethically, and profitably for the betterment of the communities in which they work. Visit us at abckeystone.org.
