Brandon Oettchen with B & G HVAC (Gladbrook & Marshalltown, IA) was recently named the Gold Medal Champion at the 2015 ABC National Craft Championships. The competition held in Fort Lauderdale, FL March 4-5 showcased the talents of apprentices from across the country in a written and six (6) hour hands-on competition.

Oettchen qualified for the National Craft Championships by winning the ABC of Iowa Apprenticeship & Training Trust state competition in December. At the National Competition Oettchen was required to layout, fabricate and install a duct system as per plan consisting of rectangular elbows, transitions, offsets, round pipe, tee fitting and straight joints from a drawing and materials he was given that morning.

In addition to winning the Gold Medal, Oettchen was also awarded $750.00 and the opportunity to travel to Washington D.C. in July to be recognized for his accomplishments at a Washington Nationals game.

About ABC of Iowa Apprenticeship & Training Trust

ABC of Iowa Apprenticeship and Training Trust is a 501 (C) 3 non-profit education trust providing apprenticeship training for ABC of Iowa members as well as continuing education and safety training for Iowa’s construction industry.

The apprenticeship training program is registered with the United States Department of Labor, Office of Apprenticeship as well as the Veterans Administration (VA). At the state level, the program is recognized by the Iowa Electrical Examining Board (IEEB) and the Iowa Plumbing and Mechanical Systems Board (IPMSB).