Recognizing Excellence in Apprenticeship
Watson’s 31st Annual Apprenticeship Contest brought together talent, training, and a healthy dose of competition on Friday, July 25 at the Wilson County Fairgrounds. Twelve Watson Apprentices from across our divisions stepped up to the challenge, putting their knowledge and hands-on skills to the test. This annual event not only celebrates the growth and dedication of our apprentices — it also reinforces the standards of excellence we hold in electrical craftsmanship.
The contest consists of two key phases. First, apprentices complete a written exam based on the NFPA electrical codes and standards, demonstrating their grasp of essential safety and compliance knowledge. Next comes the live build portion, where competitors are timed on a complex installation project requiring them to read blueprints, bend conduit, run wire, and install key components such as switches and receptacles — all with precision under pressure. Scores from both phases are combined to determine the top three Apprentices, and this year’s results were some of the highest we’ve seen in company history — an impressive testament to the skill and dedication of our competitors.
This year’s competition featured impressive performances by all twelve apprentices: Issachar De La Cruz, Ryan Badgley, Ryan Bennett, Tyler Hendrix, Leonel Katuku, Freddy Peralta Jr., Tyson Shroyer, Cedric Spruill, Jovan Wilson, Anthony Curatola, Zachary Dixon, and Bryan Acosta.
Special recognitions went to:
- Anthony Curatola: 2025 Safety Award
- Issachar De La Cruz: Best Dressed Apprentice
Congratulations to our top three winners:
- First Place: Zachary Dixon (Winston Salem Division)
- Second Place: Anthony Curatola (Winston Salem Division)
- Third Place: Bryan Acosta (Chesapeake Division)
From here, our apprentices will begin preparing for the 2025 North Carolina Electrical Apprentice Competition at the NC State Fair this October. We’re incredibly proud of each apprentice who competed in Watson’s contest — their performance, professionalism, and passion for the trade prove that the future of the electrical construction industry is in great hands.
