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July 1, 2013 (El Cajon) – Years of dedication and hard work have paid off for apprentices and craft trainees who graduated with their apprenticeship and journeyman certificates on Friday, June 21 from the Associated Builders and Contractors Apprenticeship Training program.
The 67 students in the Class of 2013 from the San Diego region have completed a skilled trades apprenticeship and craft training program in crafts such as plumbing and pipefitting, electrical, electronic systems technician and sheet metal. Their course of study included up to four years of classroom training and thousands of hours of practical field experience.
Electrical apprentice Brent Elow of El Cajon was named Outstanding Graduate of the Class of 2013 with a straight A average and an exemplary work history. He works for MJC Electric, Inc.
This year’s Honor Graduates are:
- Timothy Hanson of Santee, Electrical; employed by Rowan Electric
- Timothy Kammer of San Jacinto, Plumbing; employed by Pacific Rim Mechanical
- Donald Wood of Escondido, Plumbing; employed by Green Mechanical Contractors
This year’s Academic Achievement Graduates are:
Perfect Attendance
- Marlon Ayllon of Chula Vista, Sheet Metal; employed by California Comfort Systems
- Jose Contreras of Oceanside, Electrical; employed by Rowan Electric
- Valentin Jimenez-Manzo of San Diego, Electrical; employed by Rock Electric
- Richard Montesano of Menifee, Electrical
- Wesley Thompson of El Cajon, Electrical; employed by Laser Electric
Straight A Average
- Brad Parkinson of Escondido, Electrical; employed by Bergelectric
- Brian Wiencko of El Cajon, Electrical
Graduates earned college credits through the San Diego Community College District, which can be applied toward an Associate of Science degree. Completion of remaining general education courses plus electives allows apprentices to graduate with their Associate’s degree at the same time or soon after they earn their apprenticeship certificates; or in some cases to transfer to colleges and universities to complete a bachelor’s degree in their chosen field.
“All our apprentices learn the basic skills necessary for their trade, but they are required to know so much more to be successful today,” said ABC Apprenticeship Training Trust Chairman Bill Smyth. “They must have excellent reading and math skills, computer technology skills, management and planning skills, and be fully trained in safety procedures,” said Smyth. “Their learning never stops and we want to insure they can keep up with changes in technology throughout their careers.”
“I am always amazed at the dedication and drive of our graduates,” said ABC Apprenticeship Training Trust Executive Director Sherry Yarbrough. “They have so much to learn, and these young construction professionals do it while also working full-time. It is a tremendous accomplishment to graduate from our program.”
ABC San Diego thanks this year’s graduation sponsors: CED, Ferguson Enterprises, Helix Electric, Professional Contractors Supply, Safety Management Services, SDC & Associates, West Coast Air Conditioning, West Coast Group Benefits, and Zan, Inc. Consulting.
A small but dedicated group of merit shop contractors founded ABC San Diego in 1976. The chapter’s first apprenticeship program standards were submitted to the state’s Department of Industrial Relations/Division of Apprenticeship Standards for approval several years later. Since then, thousands of individuals have graduated from the ABC Apprenticeship Training Trust including this year’s graduates.
ABC San Diego’s program has been awarded Accredited Training Sponsor Status from the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER), assuring all its members of nationally recognized training for their craft professionals. NCCER is a nonprofit education foundation created to develop standardized construction, maintenance, and pipeline curricula with portable credentials and help address the critical skilled workforce shortage. NCCER is affiliated with the University of Florida's M.E. Rinker, Sr. School of Building Construction.
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