Apprenticeship Contests

Apprenticeship contests are a great way for apprentices to test their skills and knowledge along with winning some wonderful prizes, and bragging rights! There are three apprenticeship contests that our apprentices compete in: Watson Electrical Apprenticeship Contest – Local; North Carolina State Fair Apprenticeship Contest; and the National Craft Championships.

Held at the Wilson County Fairgrounds, the contest included a written test of knowledge, a safety Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) inspection, and taking a project from a blueprint to its completion.

To compete in the Watson Electrical Apprentice Contest, apprentices must have completed Level II of the NCCER curriculum and 4000 on-the-job hours. The apprentice contest comprises the knowledge test and the skills project. Based on the National Electrical Code (NEC), the knowledge test consists of typical questions one would find when working in the electrical field. During the test, apprentices are allowed to consult the NEC book. The real challenge is being able to find the correct answer. Of course, questions can be intricate and, if not read carefully, can result in the wrong answer.

The second part, the skills project, is a tapestry of complicated components. The apprentice builds the project from blueprints and is to complete the project within the 4-hours. The project blueprints contain conduit bending, 3-way and 4-way switches, panel and junction boxes, lights and outlet receptacles (regular and GFCI), smoke detector, photocell (for sensing day vs. night), telephone outlet, panel labeling, and other items seen in electrical work. But installing these components according to the blueprints is only part of the skills challenge. Neatness, productivity (completing the project in the allotted time), and measurement accuracy are also significant factors in scoring an apprentice’s work.

Held annually, the North Carolina State Fair Apprenticeship Contest features apprentices from around North Carolina. Apprentices wishing to participate are required to be in their third or fourth year apprentices training under a program recognized by ApprenticeshipNC, and is limited to thirty qualified applicants.

This contest of electrical skills is prepared and planned by the North Carolina Electrical Apprenticeship Contest Planning Committee.

R1: Chris Chia
R2 (l to r): Andrew Jervah, Andrew Brandt, Martin Munoz-Aguirre
R3 (l to r): Isaish Rock, Jacob Locklear, Alex Peace

Each year, ABC presents the National Craft Championships to recognize the achievements of the construction industry’s future leaders. This is a nationwide competition for top honors in their chosen craft brings apprentices and trainees from all corners of the country to show off their superior training, skills, and safe work practices.

25% total score: Online exam based on the craft curricula developed by NCCER.
75% total score: practical performance – project build

Our apprentices compete in the Electrical: Residential-Commercial Craft, at the National Craft Championships. Over the last fifteen plus years we have trained, supported, and sent our apprentices to compete on the national level.