Contact: Kristi Pronovost
Director of Marketing & Communications
(717) 653-8106 or kristi@abckeystone.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – September 28, 2020
(MANHEIM, Pa.) Five local apprentices received top scores at the ABC Keystone Annual Craft Competition on Saturday, September 26, 2020, held at the Chapter’s training facility in Manheim. Earning the top scores in their respective trades provides these apprentices the opportunity to move on to the 2021 ABC National Craft Competition (NCC) to be held March 9-11, 2021, in Gaylord, Texas. This year, two of the Chapter’s carpentry apprentices received tied scores, and both with be joining ABC Keystone’s NCC team in March.
Top scorers receive an all-expenses paid trip to the upcoming ABC National Competition this spring. ABC Keystone has a history of producing National Craft Championship medal winners representing the South-Central PA area, and the Chapter will again be well-represented by these five apprentices in March 2021.
In appreciation of their hard work training for this event, all twelve competitors received $50 gift cards (top scorers received $75 gift cards), a tool bag donated by ABC Keystone member Capitol Electric, and a tape measure donated by ABC Keystone member Milwaukee Tool Company.
The fourth-year top-scoring apprentices represented four trades: carpentry, electrical, plumbing, and sheet metal.
2020 ABC Keystone Local Craft Competition Top Scorers:
Competitor, Trade, Company, (Hometown)
Sky DeLaughter, Electrical, Cedar Electric, Inc., (Fleetwood)
Philip Gregg, Sheet Metal, James Craft & Son, Inc., (Columbia)
Dakota Leibensperger, Carpentry, Arthur Funk & Sons, Inc., (Lebanon)
Jeremy Ressler, Carpentry, J.D. Eckman, Inc., (Lancaster)
Matthew Tressler, Plumbing, James Craft & Son, Inc., (York)
The timed competition followed a similar format as the upcoming National Competition, and apprentices were challenged to follow plans to craft projects that tested their skills, knowledge, and attention to safety. The competition has two components: the written test, which counts for 25% of their total score; and the practical “hands-on” competition, which counts for 75% of their total score. In addition to showcasing their top-quality work, the competitors must also adhere to strict safety standards. They are challenged throughout the day by having to maintain focus in a busy environment just as they will be at the National Competition.
“We are very proud of all of the apprentices who competed in this competition,” said G. David Sload, President-CEO, ABC Keystone. “Their commitment to high quality craftsmanship and safety will serve them well as future craft professionals.”
The Keystone Chapter’s PA-registered apprenticeship program offers education in nine trades and focuses on hands-on training under the guidance of experienced instructors. To learn more, please visit abckeystonecenter.org.
*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 and nearly 25,000 employees. 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.
