BAC's Top Trowels

On September 28th and 29th, the succession of Local/ADC and Regional contests culminated with the 2009 BAC/IMI International Apprentice Contest at the BAC/IMI John J. Flynn International Training Center in Bowie, Maryland. The success of the event was due to the dedicated efforts of hundreds of Local Union/ADC officers and representatives and BAC/IMI training personnel, the leadership of the IU Executive Board, the incomparable organizational skills of IMI’s national staff and, most essential of all, a supremely talented group of BAC apprentices.

As IU President John J. Flynn expressed it, “The International Apprentice Contest has a huge influence on how the industry views BAC craftworkers and how BAC craftworkers view themselves. It not only enhances the value of apprenticeship, but instills a sense of pride in our workmanship because you really have to be a top craft worker to be able to compete at this level.”

A total of 103 BAC apprentices representing Locals across the U.S. and Canada competed in eight craft categories. The Cement, Marble, Plaster and PCC/Restoration competitions were held on the first day, with Brick, Tile and Stone taking place on the second day. Due to the additional setting time required for its materials and assemblies, the Terrazzo Contest spanned both days.

Each craft competition had two components: the building of a craft-specific mock-up in accordance with accepted safety practices and a written test on craft-specific procedures, tools, materials, safety requirements and trade math. Drawings, written instructions and a verbal orientation provided the contestants with the criteria for their mock-ups. IMI National Apprenticeship and Training Director Steve Martini noted that in order to demonstrate specific craft skills within a set of reasonable time limits, contestants competed under shop conditions, which may not always be comparable to an actual jobsite.
The top three winners in each craft category were announced at a September 30th dinner honoring all the contestants at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C., which was webcast live on www.bacweb.org. (For more
on BAC’s online Contest coverage, see click here.)

IU Secretary-Treasurer James Boland summed up the Contest this way: “It’s been a great Contest for all involved, as well as an important reminder that training is the ticket to our future—for our apprentices, our journey-level members and our industry as a whole.”