Today was the Rocky Mountain chapter of IEC’s graduation where it was announced that I won first place in the 2011 Rocky Mountain chapter wire-off competition. After the initial feelings joy and relief subsided, I set my mind toward the training which I will begin in two weeks to ensure that I will be able to do my absolute best at the national competition: practicing conduit bending, working on ladder diagrams, doing NEC reviews, and wiring control circuits. I am heading to Louisville, KY, in October, to compete against about thirty wire-off winners from the other chapters around the nation.
A huge thank you to all of the companies who donated prizes to the wire-off participants. Here is a list of my loot:
- Paid day-off from Encore Electric which allowed me to compete without using vacation time
- $500 Home Depot gift card, donated by The Home Depot
- 2 x $100 Home Depot gift cards, donated by Carlton Electric
- Ideal 61-773 Clamp Meter bundled with a NC Voltage Tester, donated by Ideal Industries
- Ideal 36-314 six-piece TKO Electrician’s Hole Saw Kit, donated by Ideal Industries
- Carhartt Jacket, donated by Stewart & Stevenson
- Klein 18″ canvas tool bag, donated by Klein Tools
- Klein Insulated 3/16″ Screw Driver, donated by Klein Tools (Now I can do hotwork! Just kidding Jack.)
- Klein NC Voltage Tester, donated by Klein Tools
- Milwaukee Tools-branded portable poker table, donated by CED
- A t-shirt featuring Scotch-brand electrical tape
- Three embroidered baseball caps from Stewart & Stevenson, Bosch, and Graybar
For the Top Student award, I was given a Klein 14-piece tool set and a pay raise from Encore Electric. Thank you again to everyone who made the competition possible.
2011 Convention Schedule
National Apprentice of the Year Competition
Way to go Ross. Practice diligently. I would be great if you are the national winner.