On May 24, 2018, 58 ABC Keystone apprentices will graduate and continue their paths to success. The training they have received will help to provide them with the opportunity to achieve the American Dream through a career in construction. These skilled tradespeople will go on to build our communities, and we commend them for their hard work and dedication to the industry.
Meet the graduates and celebrate their achievements at the 2018 Apprenticeship Graduation & Craft Professionals of the Year Awards Presented by Warfel Construction Company, 5/24.
Check back for additional blog postings to hear from more of our 2018 Graduates!
Read Meet the Graduates “Part 2” Read Meet the Graduates “Part 3”
Troy Agnew, The Farfield Company
Trade: Plumber/Pipefitter
Hometown: Altoona
What led you to your craft?
I love to build and pipe systems intrigued me.
What do you enjoy most about your craft?
Completing a job knowing I was part of the project.
What advice do you have for future apprentices?
Give it all you got!
Keith Brubaker, Legacy Electrical Services, Inc.
Trade: Electrical
Hometown: Lancaster
What led you to your craft?
Opportunity to learn and grow in the trade and the ability to apply my trade to many different industries.
What do you enjoy most about your craft?
It’ss fascinating to control something you can’t see.
What advice do you have for future apprentices?
Apply yourself in class, don’t stop asking questions, and research on your own to find answers to your questions.
Ernest Finzel, CV Services, Inc.
Trade: Electricial
Hometown: Camp Hill
What led you to your craft?
Career change, interest
What do you enjoy most about your craft?
Building systems and trouble shooting
What advice do you have for future apprentices?
Be sure to put all into your interests to get all out of it.
Matt Fuhrman, Paul Risk Construction
Trade: Carpentry
Hometown: Lancaster
What led you to your craft?
I helped my neighbor a lot growing up. He was an independent contractor.
What do you enjoy most about your craft?
It is very rewarding. You can look back at something that you built and feel very proud about it.
What advice do you have for future apprentices?
Try to work with experienced tradesmen at work and ask them lots of questions.
Travis Horton, The Farfield Company
Trade: Pipe Fitter
Hometown: Todd
What led you to your craft?
My father-in-law
What do you enjoy most about your craft?
Installing heating and chilling systems
What advice do you have for future apprentices?
Challenges will come and go, try to learn from every challenge and it will make you better at your work.
Dominic Iezzi, Wohlsen Construction Company
Trade: Carpentry
Hometown: Birdsboro
What led you to your craft?
Growing up watching my father do things around the house and then actually enjoying a class for its content in high school woodshop really pushed me to further my knowledge.
What do you enjoy most about your craft?
So many opportunities to prove yourself and constantly make people’s ideas into reality.
What advice do you have for future apprentices?
Take the time and ask questions from those who are more experienced than you are. Don’t worry about meeting quotas so long as your work is done correctly. When you rush, you make mistakes.
Gerardo Lopez, JD Eckman, Inc.
Trade: Construction Craft Laborer
Hometown: Parkesburg
What led you to your craft?
Construction is in high demand.
What do you enjoy most about your craft?
Finishing concrete
John Roehm, Paul Risk Construction
Trade: Carpenter
Hometown: Conestoga
What led you to your craft?
I have family in the business – also, the building of multi-story tree houses and forts where I grew up!
What do you enjoy most about your craft?
The large variety of projects and chance for advancement.
What advice do you have for future apprentices?
Stay persistent, read the book and get your online work done on time.
Check back for additional blog postings to hear from more of our 2018 Graduates!
Read “Part 2” Read “Part 3”
Register for 2018 Apprenticeship Graduation & Craft Professionals of the Year Awards Presented by Warfel Construction Company, 5/24.
