Page 12 - IEC Insights Jan-Feb2020

FEATURE

AUSTRALIAN TOM MATIC UPSETS

THREE-TIME U.S. PROFESSIONAL

CHAMPION GREG ANLIKER

IN FIRST-EVER INTERNATIONAL

COMPETITION AT 2019 IDEAL®

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

Electricians from the U.S., Canada, China and Australia
Compete for Title of ‘World’s Best Electrician’ and their

Share of Over $600,000 in Cash and Prizes

DEAL® Electrical concluded its on the 162 competitors from across young men and women into satisfying
fourth annual IDEAL National the U.S. and Canada, as well as the careers as electricians and contractors,”
Championship by crowning the first professional national champions said Doug Sanford, Senior Vice President
ever International Champion on from Australia and China. Mexico’s and General Manager, Non-Lighting
INovember 9 at Disney’s® Coronado champion attended as a guest this Businesses, IDEAL INDUSTRIES, INC.
Springs Resort in Lake Buena Vista, year but Mexico plans to compete in
Florida. Tom Matic from Melbourne, the 2020 Championship Weekend. “I think we have an opportunity, and a
Australia took home the title of ‘World’s responsibility, to powerfully demonstrate
Best Electrician’ and a brand new RAM® how pivotal this skilled trade is to
1500 Pickup Truck after competing IDEAL NATIONAL powering and connecting the rest of us
against professional electricians from in virtually every element of our lives.
the U.S., Canada and China in an intense CHAMPIONSHIP Without electricians, technologies don’t
hour-long competition that required HONORS ELECTRICAL move forward. Buildings don’t fully
the competitors to complete four TRADE COMMUNITY function. Homes don’t meet expectations.”
challenges—one reflecting each country’s
unique electrical installation methods. Four years ago, IDEAL Electrical
established the IDEAL National (U.S.)
The inaugural international competition Championship to showcase the skills and ROAD TO CHAMPIONSHIP
took place following three days of professionalism of today’s electricians. WEEKEND
competition including Professional, “With the U.S. facing a significant shortage This year, more than 58,000 electricians,
Student/Apprentice, Contractor and of electricians in the next few years (U.S. students and apprentices competed in
School Challenge categories. Friends Labor Department reporting 60,000 by over 1,500 Qualifying Round events in 5
and family filled the arena to cheer 2026), we wanted to find a way to honor countries from March 4 – October 4, 2019.
the trade community and help attract

10 Insights Magazine | January/February 2020 | www.ieci.org