IBEW Local 48 apprentice Ethan Rinier is the best in the West — taking first place in the 2018 Western States Electrical Contest for newly graduated journey-level electricians. The competition was held Aug. 25 at the NECA-IBEW Training Center in Northeast Portland.
Twenty contestants representing Oregon, Washington, California, Idaho, Nevada, and Utah were tested in seven electrician skills. Individuals were selected by each participating Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee from their annual graduating classes.
Rinier won the overall competition by finishing first in the written exam, residential wiring, and conduit bending contest (below).
“Ethan did an amazing job,” said IBEW Local 48 Business Manager Gary Young. “We’re so glad to see one of our own recognized.”
Rinier did his apprenticeship at Cannon Beach Electric, at Intel with OEG and Rosendin, and at Stoner Electric, where he continues today.
Thanks to Rinier, the IBEW Training Center in Portlandwill get to display the Carl Sorensen traveling trophy for the next year — after Rinier’s name is added to the plaque.
The Western States Electrical Contest dates back to 1963. The contest was last held in Portland in 2006.
