BAC Apprentices Shine at MCAA Masonry Skills Challenge

JOURNAL: ISSUE1 - 2014

BAC apprentices took six out of nine possible top placements at the 15th annual MCAA Masonry Skills Challenge, held January 22nd in Las Vegas.

The Challenge brought together bricklayer apprentices from Union and non-union programs from across the country to compete in three skill levels: 'First Year', for those just entering the trade; 'Second Year' for more experienced newcomers; and 'Third Year' for those about to enter the workforce as journey-level craftworkers. Each level was given a project to build appropriate to their craft skills; contestants were not aware of the projects in advance.

After a fierce competition, BAC apprentice bricklayers made a clean sweep at the Second Year level – Raymond Wilk of Local 21 IL, Brian Halley of Local 2 MI, and Erick Reynoso of Local 3 CA took first, second, and third place respectively. At the First Year level, Daniel Aller of Local 5 OH placed second, with Zachary Zuidema of Local 21 IL placing third. Colby Shelkop of Local 15 MO/KS took third place at the Third Year level.

BAC Secretary-Treasurer Henry Kramer, who attended the Skills Challenge, said, "As a third generation Union bricklayer myself, it was a thrill to see our apprentices perform to such high standards and the satisfying results of the undeniable high quality training provided by our IMI- and locally-delivered programs."

This year's Challenge – one of a series of events held during the annual World of Concrete/World of Masonry trade show at the Las Vegas Convention Center – marked the first time the International Union and IMI were sponsors of the contest, which MCAA hosts in conjunction with Spec Mix®. (See page 13 for related coverage of the journey-level Spec Mix Bricklayer 500).

Kneeling, from left, Michael Chiarello of 56 IL and Jonathon Suliven of 3 CA. Standing, from left, Colby Shelkop of 15 MO/KS (3rd place, Third Year), Brian Halley of 2 MI (2nd place, Second Year), Zachary Zuidema of 21 IL (3rd place, First Year), Erick Reynoso of 3 CA (3rd place, Second Year), Dan Aller of 5 OH (2nd place, First Year), Jeremiah Holland of 40 OH, Raymond Wilk of 21 IL (1st place, Second Year), and BAC Secretary-Treasurer Henry Kramer. Participating in the Challenge but not pictured: Eric Bachelor (First Year) and Drew Tersinar (Second Year), both of 15 MO/KS.

From left, BAC swept the Second Year competition: from left, Brian Halley of 2 MI (2nd place), Raymond Wilk of 21 IL (1st place), and Erick Reynoso of 3 CA (3rd place).