IBEW Local 340 Apprentice Brings Home First Place at Western States Electrical Contest
The Sacramento Electrical Training Center is proud to announce the winner of the 57th Annual Western States Electrical Contest, our very own Chase Mora. Through perseverance, dedication, and hard work Chase beat out his fellow competitors and, for the first time, brought the championship home to Local 340.
“There is no one in our local that better exemplifies the characteristics and personality of our Union than Chase Mora,” says Brendan Nelson, fourth year instructor. “Throughout the entire competition he held himself to the highest standards of dignity and camaraderie with his fellow competitors. I couldn’t be more proud to have been there supporting him and he made all of Local 340 proud in this historic moment.”
Over the course of the competition, this year held in Salt Lake City, Utah, Chase competed in events including general knowledge, conduit bending, motor controls, residential wiring, and material identification. In the end, Chase took home first place for residential wiring and got high marks in every single other category. In the end, his scores put together granted him the top spot among the participants.
“We pride ourselves in providing the highest level of electrical training around,” says Chris Tillery, training director. “Chase placing first among 18 other locals really brings that fact home. But in the end, it took the perseverance and dedication of Chase to put it to work in the competition. I have so much respect for him. He has represented Local 340 and the Sacramento JATC to the highest degree.”
“I’ve been trying my best throughout my entire apprenticeship and in the field, and this really validated all of that,” says Chase. “I think the support of both my journeymen and my teachers was the thing that helped me bring home the ‘w’. If felt great.”
In recognition of his accomplishment, Chase received awards from Platt, Milwaukee, Ideal, and Little Giant. In addition to these, he was given the champion plaque that will bear his name and cement his status as forever a Western States champion.