BAC’s Bright Future on Full Display at the 2022 International Apprentice Contest in Boston

The 2022 BAC/IMI International Apprentice Contest, held September 23-24, showcased the skill of the Union’s highly trained up-and-coming craftworkers. Seventy-three apprentices from across the United States and Canada competed to earn the title of International Craft Champion at the John B. Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Center in Boston. 

The competitors – who earned their spot at Internationals by winning local and regional contests – represent less than one percent of the union’s 8,000 active apprentices. BAC principal officers, field representatives, training coordinators, instructors, and signatory contractors came out to cheer on the apprentices, who are undoubtedly making a name for themselves in the union masonry and tile industry.

“You can see in the apprentices’ eyes how excited they are to be here,” said Anthony DiPerna, National Director of Apprenticeship and Training for the International Masonry Training and Education Foundation (IMTEF). “Earning a spot to compete here means that they are in the top of their craft.” 

Contestants participated in several challenges to validate what they’ve mastered while learning and working in BAC’s registered apprenticeship programs. Notably, they built mockups that reflect essential craft skills they use every day on the job site. 

“The contest is a testament to the hard work and dedication BAC apprentices and their instructors have put into training throughout their time in the program,” said Caryn Halifax, President of the International Masonry Institute (IMI) and IMTEF. 

“Winning this competition is a capstone to any apprentice’s career,” said Tim Driscoll, President of BAC. “The passion, preparedness, and persistence that make our members the best hands in the business were on full display at this year’s competition.”

First, second, and third place were awarded in brick, pointing-cleaning-caulking, stone, tile, marble, terrazzo, cement, and plaster. 

Congratulations to the winners of the 2022 BAC/IMI International Apprentice Contest. 

See more photos of the award winners and highlights from the event on IMI’s Facebook page.

BRICK

First Place: Garrick Manning – Ohio-Kentucky ADC 

Second Place: Kurtis Sutter – Ohio-Kentucky ADC 

Third Place: Joseph Cosman – Local 1 Connecticut

 

 

POINTING-CLEANING-CAULKING

First Place: Donald Murray III - Ohio-Kentucky ADC

Second Place: Francisco Ramirez Esparza – ADC 1 of Illinois

Third Place: Jakub Bialas – Local 1 New York

 

 

 

STONE

First Place: Sebastian Tomaszewski – Local 1 New York

Second Place: Jorge Soriano – Local 1 Pennsylvania/Delaware

Third Place: Jeremy Bercier – Local 1 Oregon/Washington/Idaho/Montana

 

 

TILE

First Place: Zhenyong Lin – Local 3 California

Second Place: Edwin Rosado – ADC 1 of Illinois

Third Place: Gregory Gartner – Local 1 Pennsylvania/Delaware

 

 

MARBLE

First Place: Mason Steed – Local 3 California

Second Place: Angel Diaz Hernandez – Local 1 Maryland, Virginia and District of Columbia

Third Place: Julian Valencia – Local 7 New York & New Jersey

 

TERRAZZO

First Place: Brian Dohring – Local 3 California

Second Place: Nick Hardwick – ADC of Eastern Missouri 

Third Place: Arturo Banda – ADC 1 of Illinois

 

 

CONCRETE

First Place:  John Fogarty - Local 3 New York

Second Place: Travis Probst - Wisconsin District Council

Third Place: Stephen Kocik - Local 3 New York

 

 

PLASTER

First Place: Luis Padron – ADC 1 of Illinois

Second Place: Salvador Vargas – ADC 1 of Illinois

Third Place: Cameron Holder – Local 1 New York