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

SYCAMORE, Ill., Nov 22 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- IDEAL^® Electrical concluded its fourth annual IDEAL National Championship by crowning the first-ever International Champion on November 9 at Disney’s^® Coronado Springs Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. Tom Matic from Melbourne, Australia took home the title of ‘World’s Best Electrician’ and a brand new RAM^® 1500 Pickup Truck after competing against professional electricians from the U.S., Canada and China in an intense hour-long competition that required the competitors to complete four challenges – one  reflecting each country’s unique electrical installation methods.

The inaugural international competition took place following three days of competition including Professional, Student/Apprentice, Contractor and School Challenge categories. Friends and family filled the arena to cheer on the 162 competitors from across the U.S. and Canada, as well as the professional national champions from Australia and China. Mexico’s champion attended as a guest this year but Mexico plans to compete in the 2020 Championship Weekend.

IDEAL National Championship Honors Electrical Trade Community

Four years ago, IDEAL Electrical established the IDEAL National (U.S.) Championship to showcase the skills and professionalism of today’s electricians. “With the U.S. facing a significant shortage of electricians in the next few years (U.S. Labor Department reporting 60,000 by 2026), we wanted to find a way to honor the trade community and help attract young men and women into satisfying careers as electricians and contractors,” said Doug Sanford, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Non-Lighting Businesses, IDEAL INDUSTRIES, INC.

“I think we have an opportunity, and a responsibility, to powerfully demonstrate how pivotal this skilled trade is to powering and connecting the rest of us in virtually every element of our lives. Without electricians, technologies don’t move forward. Buildings don’t fully function. Homes don’t meet expectations.”

Road to Championship Weekend

This year, more than 58,000 electricians, students and apprentices competed in over 1,500 Qualifying Round events in 5 countries from March 4 – October 4, 2019. During these events, competitors needed to demonstrate both their problem-solving and physical skills around cutting, stripping, crimping, terminating and more – using IDEAL tools through a challenge judged by workmanship, safety and time.

This year, the team competitions were transformed into School and Contractor Challenges with the goal of honoring School and Contractor’s important contributions to the trade as well as showcasing the talent each brings to the table. There were new prizes designated specifically for them, including a RAM^® ProMaster^® Commercial Van w/ Custom Company Graphics, scholarships and IDEALcash. “The team competitions are always an exciting part of the weekend,” said Sanford. “You get to see team members play off of each other’s strengths and really shine when under pressure.”

2019 IDEAL National Championship Winners & Prizes

“Every year, we see the competition taken to another level,” said Sanford. “Both Professionals and Students/Apprentices came to this year’s Championship Weekend ready to demonstrate the workmanship and proficiency it takes to be a world-class electrician.”

Reigning two-time Professional Individual Champion and two-time Professional Team Champion, Greg Anliker, proved he was still at the top of his game, taking home his third Professional Individual Champion title and $75,000. Jordan Finfrock from Flatwoods, KY took the top spot in the Student/Apprentice Individual category with a prize of $30,000. 

Kellenberger Electric’s Clay Noga and Keith Runkle (Kellenberger 2) took home first place for the Contractor Challenge. The two teammates split the $40,000 prize money, in addition to $20,000 in IDEALcash & the RAM^® ProMaster^® Commercial Van w/ Custom Company Graphics and a local marketing support package.

Minneapolis JATC’s Angela Bissonnette-Penna and Jacob Thoennes earned first place in the North American School Challenge. Angela, the only female competitor to place in this year’s event, and Jacob split $20,000 prize and also took home $10,000 in IDEALcash for their school, five first-year scholarships and five complete tool kits for scholarship winners.

The full list of winners and prizes is as follows:

International Professional Competition

• 1^st place – Tom Matic, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
  • Prize: RAM^® 1500 Pickup Truck

• 1^st place – Greg Anliker, Elgin, IL
  • Prize: $75,000                                   
• 2^nd place – Seth Agnew, Linn Creek, MO
  • Prize: $25,000 
• 3^rd place – Clay Noga, Somonauk, IL
  • Prize: $10,000

• 1^st place – Kellenberger Electric’s (Kellenberger 2) - Clay Noga, Somonauk, IL | Keith Runkle, Bolingbrook, IL
  • Prize: $40,000 (split amongst teammates), $20,000 in IDEALcash to the Contractor & RAM^® ProMaster^® Commercial Van w/ Custom Company Graphics and a local marketing support package

• 1^st place – Jordan Finfrock, Flatwoods, KY
  • Prize: $30,000
• 2^nd place – Benjamin Budd, Potsdam NY
  • Prize: $20,000
• 3^rd place – Marty Evans, Cannon Falls, MN
  • Prize: $10,000

• 1^st place – Minneapolis JATC’s Angela Bissonnette-Penna, Hugo, MN & Jacob Thoennes, Lino Lakes, MN
  • Prize: $20,000 (split amongst teammates), $10,000 IDEALcash for trade school & 5 First-Year Scholarships along with five complete tool kits for scholarship winners