PAGE 12 | October 5, 2018 | NORTHWEST LABOR PRESS
Portland hosts (and wins) IBEW Western States Electrical contest
IBEW Local 48 apprentice
Ethan Rinier is the best in the
West — taking first place in
the 2018 Western States Elec-
trical Contest for newly grad-
uated journey-level electri-
cians. The competition was
held Aug. 25 at the NECA-
IBEW Local 48 member Ethan Rinier (left) and NECA-IBEW Training Direc-
tor Rod Belisle hoist the Carl Sorensen traveling trophy after Rinier won
this year’s Western States Electrical apprenticeship contest. The trophy,
with Rinier’s name now on it, will be on display at the training center in
Portland for the next year. At right, contestants square off in the conduit-
bending contest.
IBEW Training Center in
Northeast Portland.
Twenty contestants repre-
senting Oregon, Washington,
California, Idaho, Nevada, and
Utah were tested in seven elec-
trician skills. Individuals were
selected by each participating
Joint Apprenticeship and
Training Committee from their
annual graduating classes.
Rinier won the overall com-
petition by finishing first in the
written exam, residential
wiring, and conduit bending
contest (below).
“Ethan did an amazing job,”
said IBEW Local 48 Business
Manager Gary Young. “We’re
so glad to see one of our own
recognized.”
Rinier did his apprentice-
ship at Cannon Beach Electric,
at Intel with OEG and
Rosendin, and at Stoner Elec-
tric, where he continues today.
Thanks to Rinier, the IBEW
Training Center in Portland-
will get to display the Carl
Sorensen traveling trophy for
the next year — after Rinier’s
name is added to the plaque.
The Western States Electri-
cal Contest dates back to 1963.
The contest was last held in
Portland in 2006.