Minnesota-based electrical apprentice takes home $40,000 prize and top honors in the pool of 10
competitors in Tampa who completed two projects for, accuracy, safety and workmanship
TAMPA, Fla. (November 2023 – IDEAL Electrical™ is celebrating the newest winner of the
2023 IDEAL® National Championship and $40,000 cash prize as Jose Renteria, an electrical
apprentice from Elk River, Minnesota, took home top honors in this year’s competition. The eighth
annual super-charged competition invited 10 of the top qualifying electrical apprentices from
around the country to compete at the Elite Trades Championship Series in Tampa on Friday, Oct. 27. This year’s IDEAL National Championship event required apprentices to complete two scoped
projects evaluated for accuracy, workmanship and safety. Projects covered an exterior service
installation and a workplace electrical buildout including a sign, downlights, and an electric vehicle
charger.
Renteria, who currently works for Muska Electric in Minneapolis, Minn, is soon planning to take
the state test to become a licensed electrician and continue to the master electrician test. The
brand-new dad also hopes to open an electrical shop of his own one day.
“My approach to the competition was to do it right the first time and forget about the time. I
wanted my work to look good and professional. It was still stressful and fun at the same time,” said
Renteria. “Being an electrician is a good-paying career and I still get to go home to spend time with
family and friends. I also appreciate that I can work on my own at home and apply my ideas to
personal projects.”
This year’s IDEAL National Championship theme of “Wiring Better Futures” honors the emerging
apprentice talent and the impact this generation of tradespeople will have on the industry.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the U.S. currently needs about 80,000 new
electricians every year and more than 1 million more electricians to meet the nation’s goals as a
massive shift to electrification continues.
“The wiring for the electrification of North America and beyond is truly in the hands of current and future apprentices. We already know how rewarding it can be to work in the skilled trades, and
this competition gives thousands of curious students a close-up look at what goes into a typical
day. It’s equally important for them to see how committed master electricians are to mentoring
apprentices and giving back,” said Carmen Cardillo, General Manager of IDEAL Electrical, North
America. “Jose’s ability to prioritize quality, safety and workmanship in these workplace projects
that had to be completed during a truncated high-stakes challenge is impressive – and he still
completed the work. This goes to show how valuable our emerging apprentice talent will be to our
communities.”
HGTV star Chip Wade and PBS’s Scott Caron emceed the event. Each electrical apprentice was
paired with one of five professional electricians and former IDEAL National Championship
competitors Greg Anliker, Noreen Buckley, Tom Kennedy, Anthony Kovalchick and Roman
Ryszewski. The top 10 finalists earned their spot by completing a rough-in electrical wiring
challenge at one of four 2023 regional trade shows.
The top five finalists in the student challenge included:
● Emma Becker, Denver, N.C.
● Devin Slifer, Greenup, Ky.
● Jose Renteria, Elk River, Minn.
● Jake Tribby, Beaver, Oh.
● Dino Gualandri, LaSalle, Ill.
Assets: Photos are available here.
Final Results:
● 1st Place ($40,000) – Jose Renteria (Elk River, Minn.)
● 2nd Place ($20,000) – Dino Gualandri (LaSalle, Ill.)
● 3rd Place ($10,000) – Devin Slifer (Greenup, Ky.)
Competitors also were the first to use new IDEAL Electrical products, including:
● 15-Foot Fish Tape: A small, easy-to-use fish tape that’s great for quick wire-pulling jobs like
remodels and DIY installs.
● Yellow 77 ® Aerosol Lubricant: One of the most popular wire-pulling lubricants available to
electricians now becomes easier than ever to apply. Yellow 77 – known for making wire
pulling smooth and safe, has been reformulated in an easy, sprayable can.
The 2023 IDEAL National Championship Finals event in Tampa can be viewed on the CBS Sports
Network at 7:00 p.m. CST on December 8, 2023. Live streams of all the rounds of the 2023 IDEAL
National Championship are available to watch on the IDEAL Facebook page
(Facebook.com/IDEALindustries).
About IDEAL ® ELECTRICAL
IDEAL Electrical™ is a leading manufacturer of tools and supplies for professional electricians. An
IDEAL Industries, Inc. brand, IDEAL Electrical is a global leader in wire connectivity products,
electrical installation tools and supplies and test and measurement equipment. As The
Electrician’s Champion™, IDEAL® has created products and technologies for professional
electricians, facilities executives and electrical apprenticeship training centers for more than 100
years.
About IDEAL INDUSTRIES, INC.
IDEAL INDUSTRIES, INC. is a global, diversified family-owned business designing and
manufacturing superior products for the electrical, lighting and infrastructure industries. The
107-year-old company was founded in 1916 on the premise of forging ideal relationships with
customers, employees, partners, and communities. The company has consistently grown and
expanded under five generations of family ownership. For more information, visit
www.idealindustries.com.
