Ideal Industries, Sycamore, Ill., has opened registration for the second annual Ideal National Championship. The competition debuted last year as a way to honor and showcase the abilities of electrical professionals, students and apprentices from across the U.S. Ideal is bring it back to search and crown new elite champion electricians, as well as award over $500,000 in cash and prizes. Registrations to compete continue through October 1, 2017.
“The Ideal National Championship has proven to be an impactful platform and incredible opportunity for us to honor and give back to electricians,” said Ideal Chairman and CEO Jim James. “We look forward to gathering America’s elite tradesmen once again, and allow them to truly showcase their talents in front of their family, friends and peers in what has become an exciting, competitive and camaraderie-filled environment.”
The competition begins with a series of qualifying round events where winners (with the fastest times from each of the 63 territories) are awarded with tool kits and an opportunity to compete in ‘The Championship Weekend’ at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort in Lake Buena Vista, FL.
In the qualifying rounds, contestants will need to demonstrate both their mental problem-solving and physical skills across five categories through a speed test judged by fastest completion time and overall accuracy of the wire connection. The five skills are : pulling wire, cutting, stripping, termination and testing.
Electrical professionals, students and apprentices can participate (as an individual or team of three) in one of many qualifying round events being held by electrical distributors, trade schools and other organizations across the nation.
The top five professional tradesmen, top five student/apprentices (who participated as individuals), and the top two professional and top two student/apprentice teams from last year's national championships also are guaranteed spots to return to this year’s ‘Championship Weekend.’
Through October 1, participants can register online at www.IDEALnationals.com. The competition will be divided into two categories: professionals and students/apprentices. Each will fill out their own registration form and have the option to compete as an individual or as part of a team.
Rankings will be posted online and updated daily. One professional tradesmen and one students/apprentice with the fastest time (participating as individuals) will be selected from each of the 63 designated territories, where they will advance to ‘The Championship Weekend’ taking place on November 10-11.
The top five professional tradesmen and student/apprentice teams with the fastest times from the qualifying round events, will head to ‘The Championship Weekend’ and compete on November 10 for the Ideal National Championship title. The individuals and teams advancing will also receive a 13-piece tool kit (valued at $325 dollars) and travel accommodations provided by IDEAL.
What’s On The Line At The Championship Weekend:
For professional electrical tradesmen participating as an individual:
- 1st place - $75,000
- 2nd place - $25,000
- 3rd place - $10,000
For professional electrical tradesmen participating as a team:
- 1st place - $60,000 (split amongst teammates)
For students/apprentices participating as an individual:
- 1st place - $30,000 + $5,000 to trade school
- 2nd place - $20,000
- 3rd place - $10,000
For students/apprentices participating as a team:
- 1st place - $30,000 (split amongst teammates) + $5,000 for school
To register and learn more information about The Ideal National Championship, please visit www.IDEALnationals.com. The IDEAL National Championship app is also available for free download through Apple, Blackberry, Google Play and Amazon app stores and is compatible with iOS and Android devices.