JOIN
OUR
TEAM

X

READY TO CONNECT?

Complete the form below and a member of our Talent Acquisition team will be in touch. Ready to apply? Complete an official application.

04.11.2019

Faith Technologies Apprentice Vies in National Competition

Late last month, the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) hosted their annual competition for skilled craft workers in Long Beach, California.

Faith Technologies was represented by John Van Linn, one of our Level 4 apprentices, who won the opportunity to compete last December when he took 1st place in Faith Technologies University’s internal skilled craft competition amongst the school’s qualifying top 10. Although we have many skilled competitors, our internal competition was open to selected Level 3 and 4 apprentices, this year from our Kansas City and Appleton branch locations.

ABC’s 2019 National Craft Championship consisted of 168 competitors representing 12 trades and 14 competitions, and Faith Technologies completed in the Industrial / Commercial category. The craft competition is part of ABC’s annual convention, and they always do a great job welcoming attendees. Opening night was full of excitement with a violin rock band and an energetic, motivational, poetic speaker named Sekou Andrews, under the stars of a warm California evening beside the Pacific Ocean.

On the first day of competition, John took a written test based on the NCCER curriculum, then later competed in a hand conduit bending competition. The next day was the biggest competition day, however, and from 7 a.m. until 3 p.m., contestants were required to assemble complicated motor control labs. This piece of the competition is meant to be very difficult and can trip up even the best of the best. John was judged on everything from safety and neatness, to operational completion and following directions. Fortunately, we were able to watch him and cheer him on during this long day.

Throughout the week there were educational workshops to attend, new products introduced and learning sessions. On the final night, awards were handed out to the winning competitors, and all attendees were invited to enjoy more high-energy celebrations, live music and networking with other like-minded competitors. Although John did not place in the top 3, he is number one with us at Faith, and had a good time competing and being part of a great society of skilled craft people.

We need more John Van Linn’s in our industry. At Faith Technologies, we encourage our next line of qualifying apprentices to get involved and compete. Events like this are great learning experiences, impressive to include on a resume, and the memories last a lifetime. Next year’s ABC national craft competition will be hosted in Nashville, Tennessee. We’ll see y’all there!