Every contest presents its challenges, but a tropical storm was a first. But like any Boilermaker job, everyone put in the extra effort that made it a great success.
2024 Apprentice of the Year winners were recognized at an event in Kansas City in Sept.
Mark Kerkaert from Local 647 (Minneapolis) took home the top honor at the U.S. 2024 Apprentice of the Year Competition held at Local 26 (Savannah, Georgia) Aug. 5 to 8. Coming in as this year’s runner-up was Galin Favors from Local 108 (Birmingham, Alabama). Team honors went to the Great Lakes duo of Christopher Lund and Kerkaert. Winners were announced at a dinner in Kansas City on Sept. 19.
Other competitors included Dylan Hart, Local 28 (Newark, New Jersey); Robert Schweiss, Local 154 (Pittsburgh); Joseph Fasulo, Local 26; Brad Flanigan, Local 242 (Spokane, Washington); and Brandon Tyson, Local 502 (Tacoma, Washington).
This year’s competition looked markedly different from other competitions due to Hurricane Debby, which swept up the United States to wreak havoc through flooding and storms throughout the Savannah area. Airports were closed as well as roads in some areas. Local 154 Business Manager/Secretary-Treasurer and lead judge Mike Stanton said half of the judges couldn’t make it to Local 26, so the coordinators stepped up.
Boilermakers National Apprenticeship Program National Coordinator Mark Wertz said the group that made it to the competition before the hurricane rallied together to get the job done, despite the weather. “Every contest presents its challenges, but a tropical storm was a first. But like any Boilermaker job, everyone put in the extra effort that made it a great success.”
To reach the national competition, sponsored by BNAP, contestants had to finish in the winner or runner-up spot in their respective area competitions.
In addition to the hands-on competition, candidates competed on a written exam covering their four years of related studies and on-the-job-training. The hands-on portion included a difficult rigging exercise, layout and fabrication, tube rolling, knot tying, hand signals, reeving and equipment use, along with welding, buddy welding and cutting. Judges scored contestants on blueprint reading, safety, overall knowledge and demonstrated skills.
BNAP Chairman Michael Bray, from Riggs Distler, spoke at the awards dinner and praised all the competitors.
“You’re all winners. We also want to thank the significant others,” he said. “Because you are what we’re about. You guys are the best of the best and your opportunities are endless.”
Kerkaert, the winner of the 2024 competition, thanked everyone from his local lodge. “This is not for me, it’s for them,” he said. “I put a lot of training into the competition because I wanted to represent my local well. I wanted to represent the [apprenticeship] program, and I wanted to represent my mentors through the years that taught me a lot. Everything I did during the competition is something I learned from someone on the job.”
Judges for the event included: Jason Hettel, GLABAP; Carey Kowalski, GLABAP; Mark Wertz, National Apprenticeship Coordinator; Eric Olsen, SAJAC; Collin Keisling, WSJAC; Jason Dupuis, NEAAC; L-154 BM-ST Michael Stanton, lead judge; Stephen Murphy, NEAAC; Myron Richardson, Chattanooga Boiler and Tank; Chuck Harvey, Babcock and Wilcox; Mike Nelson, Central Maintenance & Welding; IR Mike Autry and Dave Englund, Local 11 (Helena, Montana). Wertz thanked everyone from Local 26 and their entire staff and helpers, including BM-ST Johnathon Bates and Apprenticeship Coordinator Herman Gibbs.
