WEST BEND, Jan. 31, 2020 — Four of Wisconsin’s top construction apprentices have earned top honors in their respective trades and will represent the state in the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) National Craft Championships (NCC) in Nashville. The four advanced after placing first in their respective trades at the ABC of Wisconsin Skill Competition on Jan. 31 and will now compete against the top craft trainees from around the U.S.
The Skill Competition, held in West Bend (video link), included 40 competitors representing four technical colleges in carpentry, electrical, HVAC and plumbing. The day-long event included a practical competition in the morning and written exam in the afternoon. Here are the 2020 ABC of Wisconsin Skill Competition winners:
SKILLS COMPETITION: PLUMBING
Carpentry
1st Place – John Paul Rubenzer, Plover, Altmann Construction Co., Inc., Moraine Park Technical College
2nd Place – Nicholaus Oelerich, Oshkosh, Northcentral Construction, Moraine Park Technical College
3rd Place – Tony Ehrike, Eau Claire, Royal Construction, Inc., Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College
JOHN PAUL RUBENZER
Electrical
1st Place – Jacob Falk, Richland Center, Miller Electric of Southwest WI, LLC, Madison College
2nd Place – Jesse Mueller, Hubertus, MCR Services, LLC, Moraine Park Technical College
3rd Place – Justin Sinjakovic, Eden, MCR Services, LLC, Moraine Park Technical College
JACOB FALK
HVAC
1st Place – Matthew Danish, Greenville, Van Handel Heating & Cooling, LLC, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College
2nd Place – William Bretsch, Burlington, H.J. Faust, Inc., Gateway Technical College
3rd Place – Jonathan Keyes, Belleville, Dave Jones, Inc., Madison College
MATTHEW DANISH
Plumbing
1st Place – Caleb Warnke, Oconomowoc, Erspamer Plumbing, Waukesha County Technical College
2nd Place – Kristian Entwistle, Waterford, Water Works Plumbing Co., Waukesha County Technical College
3rd Place – Alexander Sadler, Eagle, Dave Jones, Inc., Waukesha County Technical College
CALEB WARNKE
“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,” Mielke said.
The National Craft Championships will be held in March. Wisconsin typically produces a medal winner at the national competition in one or more trades.
