WHERE ELECTRICIANS BECOME LEGENDS
The IDEAL National Championship, established in 2016, is designed to celebrate and honor the Electrical trade. The competition highlights the professional trades as a rewarding, mentally-stimulating and in-demand career path that provides necessary skills to keep local communities thriving – which was crucial during the pandemic, and continues to be a top priority as we transition forward to support infrastructure improvements.
The IDEAL National Championship is now part of the Elite Trades Championship Series, expanding support for the skilled trades and career path opportunities to other areas, including Automotive and HVAC technicians.
GET QUALIFIED TO SECURE YOUR SPOT
1. REGISTER FOR AN EVENT
Be sure to register for an in-person Qualifying Event to secure your spot.
2. CHECK IN AND COMPETE
Each event is a test of skill and workmanship to complete a task using IDEAL tools. Events are open to apprentices. Don't forget to check in upon arrival at your event.
3. CHECK THE LEADERBOARD
The best apprentice scores at each event advance to the IDEAL National Championship FInals in Tampa, Florida. Check the Leaderboard to see who's in the running.
PATH TO FINALS
Want to earn a spot at this year’s finals in October at the Tampa Bay Convention Center? Put your skills to to the test at one of our qualifying events. At each event, the first and second place winners advance to Finals as well as the two fastest third place times.
Upper Midwest Electrical Expo: April 19 - 20 (Minneapolis, MN)
NTI Trade Show: July 29-30 (Ypsilanti, MI)
NECA Convention and Trade Show: Sept. 30 - Oct. 1 (Philadelphia, PA)
IEC SPARK: Oct. 16-18 (Dallas, TX)
In addition to stamping a ticket to finals at qualifying events, there are some awesome prices for apprentices up for grabs:
- 1st Place: $1,000
- 2nd Place: $750
- 3rd Place: $500
- 4th Place: $250
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
MEET OUR 2022 CHAMPIONS
PROFESSIONALS
1st Place - Tom Kennedy
2nd Place - Greg Anliker
3rd Place - Josh Tower
APPRENTICES
1st Place - Jordan Finfrock
2nd Place - Elliot Phillips
3rd Place - Luis Sanchez
TEAMS
1st Place - Seth Agnew & Justin Frick
2nd Place - Alec Perkins & Thomas Ladd
Tom Kennedy | Teacher Turned Champion
What if your electrical teacher was the nation’s top electrician? You saw him take home the trophy at the 2022 IDEAL National Championship, now hear his story. Tom Kennedy has been an electrician for 31 years, and he’s been teaching apprentices since 1997. Watch this episode of Wire-to-Wire to get to know this electrical champion, hear his story and see his passion for teaching the next generation of electricians.
Anthony Kovalchick | Electrician to Champion
When Anthony Kovalchick started in the trade 10 years ago, being an electrician was just a job. Now, he says, it’s more than that. In 2021, after competing for 5 years straight, Kovalchick knew he had the trophy in the bag in the competition’s final generator challenge.
