IOWA LAKES STUDENT WINS FIRST IN THE STATE

The Iowa State Fairgrounds was the site on Nov. 4, for the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) Craft Championship. And, an Algona native – and Iowa Lakes student – won first place.

Algona High School graduate Jerod Frideres competed and placed first in the Carpentry Division. Students from community colleges participated in electrical; plumbing; heating, ventilation and air conditioning; as well as carpentry divisions. Frideres is a freshman in the Construction Technology program on the Emmetsburg Campus of Iowa Lakes Community College. He started construction training as a high school student while enrolled in the Iowa Lakes Construction Technology Career Academy at Algona.

The competition required the students to build a half scale building with a complex hip roof system. Competitors were evaluated on their usage of materials, accuracy and safe worksite procedures.

Frideres commented, “This was a good experience. We had the opportunity to meet industry representatives and several contractors who are prospective employers.”

Jerod Frideres accepting the top honor from Bill Speth, trainer/coordinator for ABC