Local Students win Medals at National Construction Competition.

Midland, Michigan, March 2015 – Greater Michigan Construction Academy (GMCA) is pleased to announce two of their students received awards at the ABC National Craft Competition that took place March 3-6 in Fort Lauderdale, FL.

Mark Koch, an insulation mechanic with G.E. Insulation Co., Sanford, MI, won the gold medal after competing against other insulators from around the country and Joe Zazo, an electrician with Trahan Electrical, Freeland, MI won the Safety award in his Residential/Commercial Electrician category.

GMCA sent two other competitors to the national competition as well.  All four competitors qualified with high scores at the academy’s local competition that was held in December. The other two competitors were Adam Emery, a Millwright student and Justin Behmlander, a Pipefitter student both with Three Rivers Corporation of Midland.

Students that qualify for the ABC National Competition join the nearly 1,500 men and women who have competed in one of the construction industries most recognized and respected craft skills events. ABC Greater Michigan is proud to have produced over 20 national medal winners within the last 16 years.

Competitors were required to complete a two hour written exam and a six hour project performance test. The competitors are judged in areas critical to the success of any construction trade project: safety, quality of workmanship; layout of project, use of materials, assembly of components, sequence of project, ability to follow instructions, ability to complete in a timely manner, and accuracy.

“All of us at GE Insulation Co are very proud of Mark and congratulate him on winning the Gold Medal at the National Craft Competition this year. He did an excellent job! Mark continued the tradition of showing how good our students are in being the 6th Gold Medal winner from GE Insulation Co in as many years.” said, Gary Elza, President of GE Insulation Co. and ABC Greater
Michigan Chapter Board of Directors Member.

“Our students work very hard to learn their craft to the best of their ability. It is very rewarding to see that our instructors are doing a job worthy of national recognition.” said, Stephanie Davis, Director of Education, Greater Michigan Construction Academy.

For more information on the National Craft Championships visit  www.nationalcraftchampionships.com

########

GMCA’s mission is to Educate thru collaboration of the Construction Industry. Our Membership, Employees, and Communities; to develop Professional Workplace Competencies and Skills while promoting the Construction Industry as a Career Choice. For more information contact us at
989.832.8879 or sdavis@abcgmc.org