Three ABC Keystone apprentices received top scores at the Keystone Chapter's individual local craft competition on Oct. 1, which was held at the chapter's state-of-the-art training facility in Manheim. This year, the competition also featured the chapter's first-ever team competition designed to demonstrate safety along with craft interdependency and teamwork; simulate working conditions, where planning is critical to success; highlight individual leadership and workmanship skills as the project was assembled and completed; and encourage apprentices to work through problems as a team.

The top scorers will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to the upcoming ABC National Craft Competition (NCC) to be held from Wednesday, March 15, through Friday, March 17, 2023, in Kissimmee, Fla. At the NCC, they will compete against craftspeople from ABC's 68 chapters nationwide. The local craft competition is made possible through the support of ABC Keystone Chapter members.

The competition was open to the public and was attended by family members and friends of the apprentices as well as the members of the Keystone Chapter, which provided the competitors the opportunity to compete in an environment replicating the experience of competing at ABC's NCC. Competitors had to keep their focus on their craft and maintain strict attention to safety while working on projects that had been designed to test their practical and problem-solving skills.

The hands-on portion of the individual competition contributed to 75% of their total score and was judged by construction industry professionals. Individual competitors were not given details of their project build prior to the event. Ahead of 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 individual local craft competition, apprentices had to rank within the top five of their trade class.

During the team competition, craft journey-level professionals worked in teams of four to complete a series of craft-specific tasks focused on electrical, plumbing, sheet metal/HVAC and carpentry in a six-hour period.

Team competitors were not required to take a written assessment. Teams were provided craft specifications and drawings no more than 24 hours before the event.

Each competitor received a Home Depot gift card for his or her participation. The first-place winner in each trade was given a Home Depot gift card and the trip to the NCC.

The individual top scorers were Richard Barnhart of Millersville, Frey Lutz Corp., in the plumbing competition; Matthew Flores of Ronks, Benchmark Construction Company Inc., in carpentry; and Evan Williams of Lancaster, Haller Enterprises, in electrical. Other apprentices who participated individually in the local competition include Brandon Anchant of East Petersburg, Benchmark Construction; Charles Miller of Elizabethtown, Wickersham Construction and Engineering Inc.; and Brett Travis of Annville, Benchmark Construction, in carpentry, as well as Cory Clites of York, Cyprium Solutions Inc., and Cayden Heiselman of Quarryville, D&T Electric, in electrical.

The team craft competition winner was Benchmark Construction. Local members of the team were carpentry apprentice Jason Birdwell from Benchmark Construction, electrical apprentice Gavin Sangrey from Meadow Valley Electric Inc., and plumbing apprentice Ryan Eberly from Flow Mechanical. Wohlsen Construction Company of Lancaster also participated in the team competition.

The Keystone Chapter's state-registered apprenticeship program offers education in 10 trades and focuses on hands-on education under the guidance of experienced instructors. To learn more, visit http://www.abckeystone.org/apprenticeship.