The annual Western States Electrical Contest was held in Salt Lake City, Utah on Saturday Sept. 18.

The contest consists of multiple components, culminating to an awards celebration that evening in which contestants are recognized

for their outstanding performance throughout the day, as well as their excellent performance that was displayed throughout their entire apprenticeship, thereby granting them the opportunity to represent their local JATC at the annual event. In Portland, classmates select the contestant to represent the graduating class. Dan Zigler was selected to represent us from a class of approximately 80 eligible students. Dan is a JW working for Dynalectric. Dan competed with great enthusiasm and did an outstanding job, making Portland very proud, carrying on a tradition of craftsmanship and excellence, earning respect from the others at the contest.

Dan competed among 29 other contestants in a written exam encompassing the first four years of the NJATC curriculum, a material Identification event, Motor control written logic diagram as well as a hand’s on portion of the same, a residential wall and two conduit projects, one ½ EMT and the other ¾”. The contestants get points for quality, code compliance, accuracy and speed. The Awards Banquet recognizes all contestants and spotlights the top three finishers of the day. Contestant Torey Mielke from SW Washington JATC in Tacoma finished with top honors edging out Eric Sherman from Pacific Inside JATC in Coos bay for second. Newcomers to the contest took third place. Montana JATC, represented by Jonathan Pytka. Dan did a fantastic job, keeping a smile on his face and an extremely positive attitude all day. Dan truly demonstrated what the NECA-IBEW Electrical Training Center strives for.

Many industry leaders were in attendance, giving positive remarks about the quality in which the contestants displayed throughout the day. Jeff Baker, President of Platt Electric, gave a very heartfelt and encouraging speech about the leadership qualities that had been demonstrated by the contestants and the solid future that these “future leader” will provide to the industry. The contest will be held in Bakersfield Ca. in 2011.