International Apprentice Contest: A Step Back in Time and a Look to the Future

With the 2007 International Apprentice Contest fast approaching, it is interesting to see how far BAC has come. As far back as the early 1950’s to its reintroduction in 2003, the International Apprentice Contest continues to showcase the best and brightest of BAC.

A Look Back

John Murphy, International Secretary, crowns Reno Carloni of Local 6 Connecticut (New Haven) who took first place at the 1952 International Apprentice Contest.

Between May 17–24, 1952, the International’s Bricklayer Apprenticeship Contest was held at the annual Union Industries Show. The Contest was the highlight of the Boston event. More than 700,000 attendees crowded into Mechanics Hall and many of them gathered around the Bricklayers, Masons and Plasterers’ booth to watch the young apprentices compete for the first place title.

With each day, the competition grew more fierce, as the pool of apprentices became smaller and smaller through the elimination process. The projects became more difficult as each round passed. Speed was not a factor. Each contestant was supplied a trowel, level and an adequate supply of wet mortar. The only aspect of the competition that varied was the contestants’ skill level.

By Thursday, May 22nd, the competition was down to the semi-finalists, and by Friday afternoon, four apprentices had been chosen to compete for the crown: Reno Carloni of Local 6 Connecticut (New Haven), Harold Vanderven of Local 5 Michigan (Muskegon), Willis Blush of Local 1 Washington, D.C., and William Luttmer of Local 21 Illinois (Chicago). At the Contest’s end, Reno Carloni was awarded the $500 first prize and declared champion apprentice bricklayer of 1952.

The Contest Reintroduced and Expanded

October 2003 brought the long-awaited International Apprentice Contest to Washington, D.C.’s National Building Museum, with a rich Contest program, a masonry festival, and an exhibition called Masonry Variations. The event brought so much attention to the area that then-mayor Anthony Williams declared October 18th as “BAC/IMI Masonry Appreciation Day.”

The major focus, however, was the Apprentice Contest, which brought winners from the various Regional competitions together to compete in brick, stone, tile, marble, plaster and cement finishing. The one-day event was dramatic and nerve-wracking, but each contestant held their own with skill and grace. When time was called after six and a half hours of competition, the crowd erupted with deserving applause.

To learn more about the 2003 Contest, visit www.bacweb.org/news/apprent_contest2003.htm.

The Future Event

This year, the International Apprentice Contest is scheduled for September 21–22 at the new BAC/IMI National Training Center. It will once again
showcase the fine skills and great tradition of BAC craftworkers.

Visit www.bacweb.org to stay informed of contest plans, learn who won Local and Regional Contests and stay tuned for contest updates during the actual event.