Ridgewater to host IDEAL electrician competition Aug. 30
August 26, 2022
Electrician students and professionals will come together on Tues., August 30, for an IDEAL Elite Electrician competition being hosted at Ridgewater College, Hutchinson campus.
Last fall, Ridgewater’s Emma Becker of Glencoe qualified for nationals in a speed test at the Upper Midwest Electrical Expo in Minneapolis. Competitors had to wire a three-way switching circuit and meet a qualifying time, workmanship standard and National Electrical Code compliance. Becker then competed in Nashville, where she took her skills to another level, but did not earn honors.
Becker again qualified for nationals, this time at a summer event in Brooklyn Park. She’ll have Ridgewater company this time because fellow student Justin Frick, also originally from Glencoe, qualified at an event in Rapid City, S.D.
On Tuesday, about 24 first-year and 20 second-year Ridgewater electrician students will compete in hopes of advancing as well. The event is also open to industry professionals who then compete in a separate division than students.
“Hosting the IDEAL electrician competition for our first time in Hutchinson is exciting,” said Brent Hillman, Ridgewater Electrician instructor. “It’s great for the college and our students to make these industry networking connections, but it’s also great for students to challenge their skills and be inspired by the possibilities when mastering their craft.”
Sponsor IDEAL Electrical is part of IDEAL Industries, Inc., of Illinois.
Registration is still open for Tuesday’s event. Go to ideal.com/register. The 2022 National Championship Finals will be in Tampa, FA, November 4-6.