By Mike Gutwig
Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Local 1 wrapped up its annual apprenticeship contest March 14 at its training center in Northeast Portland. Contests were held earlier this year in Montana and Eastern Washington, where Portland-based Local 1 also has members.
Competition is in bricklaying, tilesetting, marble, and pointer/cleaner/caulker(PCC). Each apprentice has their specialty. Apprenticeship Coordinator Shawn Lenczowksi said the competition requires apprentices to build a project from a blueprint in five hours. The project is then judged for quality.
Juan Arroyo captured first place in bricklaying in Portland. He competed against 10 other apprentices. Tori Wright finished second and Ty Reddington finished third. In Montana, Dom Carrocce finished first while Andrew Spilker took top honors in Eastern Washington.
Daniel Havlin captured first place in tilesetting, followed by JJ Shepherd.
Austin Close finished first in marble and Kevin Del Carlo took top honors in the pointer-cleaner-caulker category.
Bricklayer and tilesetter winners advance to the Western States regional finals Oct. 24 in Los Angeles, California.
