WCTC Electrical apprentice earns first in competition, will head to nationals

jedidiah krug - middle

Students in two Waukesha County Technical College apprenticeship programs took home honors at the 2019 Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) of Wisconsin Apprentice Skill Competition held Jan. 25 at the Washington County Fair Park in West Bend, Wis.

Jedidiah Krug, a WCTC electrical apprentice employed by Current Electric, earned first place in the Electrical category and will represent Wisconsin at the ABC National Craft Championships in Long Beach, Calif., in March.

Charles Earle, a WCTC plumbing apprentice employed by Milestone Plumbing Inc. placed second in the Plumbing category competition.

The ABC of Wisconsin Skill Competition challenges top apprentices in the areas of carpentry, electrical, HVAC, plumbing, and heat and frost insulation. Apprentices completed a 2-hour written exam and a 4-hour hands-on practical competition. Nineteen apprentices representing four technical colleges competed in the event.

“This is a great experience for the competitors who get to measure their skills with those of their fellow competitors,” said John Mielke, president of Associated Builders and Contractors of Wisconsin. “We’re proud of all the competitors who are passionate about their trades and come out and take advantage of this unique career opportunity.”

ABC of Wisconsin is statewide construction industry association representing more than 800 construction and industry-related firms, making it one of the largest chapters in the country. WCTC provides classroom-related instruction for several ABC apprenticeships, including Concrete Finishing, Electrician and Plumbing. Learn more at www.wctc.edu/apprenticeships.

Photo caption: Jedidiah Krug, center, took first place in the ABC of Wisconsin Skills Competition - Electrical category, held in West Bend, Wis., Jan. 25. He is pictured with the first-place finishers in the plumbing and carpentry categories.