TOP MISSISSIPPI CRAFTSMEN HEADED NATIONAL COMPETITION
TOP-PERFORMING TRADE PROFESSIONALS TO REPRESENT STATE IN CALIFORNIA
- March 10, 2019
PEARL ― Two of Mississippi’s top-performing craftsmen are looking to claim national honors at the upcoming National Craft Championships slated for March 27 in Long Beach, Calif.
Sponsored by the Mississippi Construction Education Foundation, Matthew Renz of Diamonhead and Benjamin Dixon of Brandon will join hundreds of craft trainees and apprentices from across the country to compete for top honors in their chosen craft.
Renz, an employee of Bernhard MCC, will compete in the commercial plumbing category with Dixon, employed by Synergy, displaying his skills in the electrical construction wiring division.
Both won their respective categories last April during the Mississippi Craft Championship, where participants in MCEF’s apprenticeship programs qualified by taking written tests corresponding to their trade categories. During the daylong contest, competitors were assigned projects and awarded points based on how well they completed tasks.
“Matthew and Benjamin are serious trade professionals as well as tough competitors,” said Mike Barkett, MCEF president. “We wish them the best and offer appreciation to their employers for supporting professional development programs that are preparing tomorrow’s workforce today.”
MCEF is a non-profit educational foundation that provides NCCER craft training and credentialing in more than 100 career and technical programs across the state. The foundation’s mission is to train individuals for the construction and manufacturing industries in Mississippi.
MCEF also offers workforce training and credentialing in construction, industrial maintenance and manufacturing trades.