NCMCA Apprentice Skills Contest

Words: Wayne Starr, Jaime SalasThe North Carolina Masonry Contractors Association's best masonry apprentices will gather for the Annual NCMCA Apprentice Skills Contest at Pine Hall Brick in Greensboro on Saturday, May 21st.

Contestants will compete for cash and tool prizes and the "David R. Sigmon" award for top score.

Last year, Brodie Contractors took the top prize as Jaime Salas finished first, winning $500, the Sigmon award and a wheelbarrow full of tools. Salas went on to win the 2004 N.C. Department of Labor State Fair Masonry Apprentice Contest in October and competed in the MCAA International Skills Contest in Chicago last month.

Everyone who competes wins prizes. Registration forms and letters requesting tool and cash donations for prizes were mailed in April. These forms can also be obtained by calling NCMCA at (828) 324-1564.

Contestants must be sponsored by a contractor member of NCMCA, supply their own tools, have proper safety equipment, and not have completed more than 6,000 hours of training before the competition. Complete rules are included with the registration forms. Also, a $50 entry fee is required per contestant.

Contest Chairman Wayne Starr of Griffin Contractors expressed the Association's appreciation to Pine Hall Brick for hosting this year's event and extends an invitation for everyone to come enjoy the contest and fellowship.

For more information on the NCMCA, please visit www.ncmca.com.

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