Annual competition features top graduates from IEC apprentice programs across the nation as they go head-to-head demonstrating their skills to represent their IEC chapters and gain national recognition.
Arlington, VA, October 12, 2022—The Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) is delighted to announce the 2022 IEC National Apprentice of the Year winners, from the competition that took place Wednesday, October 5, 2022 – Friday, October 7, 2022, during the organization’s annual event, SPARK: Power Tomorrow, at the Kentucky International Convention Center, Louisville, Kentucky.
The annual competition brings together the next generation of expert electricians as they compete in the IEC National Apprentice of the Year Competition, a truly unique highlight and tradition of SPARK. The competition features the twenty-eight top graduates from IEC apprentice training programs across the U.S., as they challenge one another for exciting prizes and recognition as the IEC National Apprentice of the Year.
This year’s Apprentice of the Year Winners are as follows:
Overall Winners
First Place: Jonathan Strubhar
Creation Electric Inc., IEC Oregon
Second Place: Joe Mendenhall
Streib Electric, IEC of Greater St. Louis
Third Place: James Hammond
Craftsman Electric, IEC of Greater Cincinnati
Individual Category Winners
Written Event: Joe Mendenhall
Streib Electric, IEC of Greater St. Louis
Ladder Diagram: James Hammond
Craftsman Electric, IEC of Greater Cincinnati
Productivity Challenge: Joe Mendenhall
Streib Electric, IEC of Greater St. Louis
Motor Controls: Ethan Falks
Ridgeline Electrical Industries, IEC Indy
Conduit Bending: Jonathan Strubhar
Creation Electric Inc., IEC Oregon
The three-day competition is judged by teams of journeymen, contractors, inspectors, and others actively involved in electrical industry codes and standards, safety, and training. During the competition, the apprentices demonstrated their skills in the following areas:
A written exam to evaluate their knowledge of electrical theory, code, materials, and installation practices.
Preparation of a motor logic diagram based on a written description of a field application.
Bending electrical metallic tubing.
Demonstrate their jobsite productivity by participating in a speed exercise in which they install common electrical circuitry.
Accurately installing electrical distribution and control circuitry utilizing customer-supplied materials, circuit descriptions, specification, and control diagrams.
Demonstrating their knowledge of safe work practices.
Competition winners receive awards recognizing their accomplishments, cash prizes, a selection of tools and reference materials provided by the competition sponsors, and national recognition. A list of this year’s competitors, listed alphabetically by IEC chapter, can be found on the IEC website at: ieci.org/aoy-competitors2022.
For more information about IEC’s Apprentice of the Year Competition and its winners, visit www.ieci.org or contact Paul Dolenc at pdolenc@ieci.org.
About Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC)
IEC is a merit shop electrical and systems contractor’s trade association. Our core focus is to increase the professionalism of our industry. Through increased educational standards and training, we are dedicated to fostering a positive business climate for all IEC Contractor Members. We offer professional development opportunities, code and safety representation, emerging trends, and multiple conferences throughout the year. There are 51 independent chapters within the IEC that represent over 3,600 member businesses throughout the United States. Each chapter works with local electrical and low voltage contractors to assist in the development of their businesses. IEC contractor member companies are responsible for over $8.5B in gross revenue annually and are composed of some of the premier firms in the industry. We also provide a four-year apprenticeship program approved by the U.S. Department of Labor with over 14,200 apprentices throughout the nation. The IEC National office offers opportunities for networking across the nation with forum groups and national meetings designed to help IEC chapters grow their members’ businesses.
PRESS CONTACT
Mikayla Hrinowich | Publicist | mhrinowich@ieci.org