Two-Time Craft Championship Competitor Takes Home the Glory
Level four electrical student heads to Las Vegas for Nationals.
SEMCA Craft Championship Competitors pose for a photo after 8 hours of competition.
A mild November day took us to Westland for SEMCA’s annual Craft Championship competition where 10 level three and four electrical students competed in a grueling, hands-on competition.
SEMCA’s top three competitors from the craft championship. Third place: Chase Gambos (left), second place: Jeffrey Waun (right), First Place: Jacob Buning (center).
The winner was Jacob Buning, a level 4 student at SEMCA, and a second-time competitor. When asked how the competition com pared to last, Buning’s fatigued and humorous response was that he was happy to have at least finished this year.
“I had a very good idea of what to expect this year and felt I managed time better. I obviously finished this year and hope I was diligent enough to win,” Buning said before being announced the winner.
On the 11 o’clock news for CBS Detroit that night, anchor Kelly Vaughen noted how the student’s futures “have never looked brighter,” after visiting the competition. In an interview with CBS Detroit, SEMCA Chairman and partner at Third Coast Electric Sean Fisher said the students on the shop floor competing are demonstrating what it means to be a dedicated craft professional.
“It’s not just about getting a job in the trades, it’s about starting a career. You need to stand out and you need to show that you’re continuously learning,” Fisher said.
SEMCA’s Craft Championship competition showcases top electrical students in a hands-on application of their skills and knowledge. All level three and four students are eligible to compete, but first must pass a written qualifying test. The students who move on are given blueprints they’ve never seen before and have eight hours to complete a full electrical service, typical to what they will see on a job site.
“Here we get to celebrate students, and they get to showcase what they can really do with their hands and it’s remarkable,” said Deanna Morley, vice president of SEMCA.
Competitors are judged on cleanliness, safety, and speed, which all contribute to how successfully they followed the blueprints.
We ask the ABC Southeastern Michigan community to wish Jacob luck as he prepares to compete next month. Jacob will be traveling to the ABC National Convention in Las Vegas to compete in the National Craft Championship.
Jeffrey Waun confirms his blueprints.
Eric Wilkenwitz runs wires for outlets during the competition.
Jacob Buning connecting wires to his panel mid-way through the competition.
