Congratulations

James CRAFT & Son, Inc. has a lot to celebrate lately.

Congratulations to Katie Brown on her FIRST Place Win in the Sheet Metal Division of the ABC Keystone Craft Competition.

Congratulations to Tory Anderson, Thad Stager, James P. and Chuck Vaughn for the 1stPlace Win at the ABC Clay Shoot.

KEYSTONE CRAFT COMPETITION

Katie will be competing at the ABC National Craft Championships in Fort Lauderdale, Florida in March.

Good Luck, Katie!

Congratulations as well to Ben Witmer and Aaron Owens who also competed at the Keystone Craft Competition and represented James Craft & Son, Inc. very well!

You can read more about Katie and the other competitors here.

ABC Clay Shoot

This is the second year in a row this team has taken gold…WAY TO GO GUYS!!!

You can check out the ABC Keystone Facebook Page for more photos of both events here.

Congratulations Graduates Blog – By: Jessica Craft

On May 14th, I had the honor of attending the 2015 Keystone ABC Apprenticeship Graduation. Of the 44 graduates being celebrated that evening, James CRAFT & Son had 7.

Shawn Haugh, Michael Hunt, Brett Jordan, Kasey Koltes and Andrew McCormick graduated from the Plumbing Program, while Kyle Kauffman and Nicholas Miller graduated from the Sheet Metal Program.

All 7 of these fine young men worked exceptionally hard over the past 4 years. They often put in a full day’s work followed by classes in the evenings, but they still maintained excellent grades & attendance records while excelling in their trades. They have earned the right to be considered talented tradesmen and valued employees of our organization.

While it would be easy enough for me to say CONGRATULATIONS and end this post right now, I have more to brag about!

Several of our graduates received special recognition at graduation as well…

Nicholas Miller not only earned straight A’s throughout his entire apprentice, he also received the High Achiever Award- meaning he graduated with the Highest Grade Point Average in his trade.

Add to that, Nicholas Miller also represented James CRAFT & Son, Inc. and Keystone ABC in the National Craft Competition as well. He took home a third place metal and plenty of bragging rights too.

Shawn Haugh, Michael Hunt, Kyle Kauffman, Kasey Koltes, and Andrew McCormick all received recognition for receiving all A and B Grade Averages throughout their entire apprenticeship.

Shawn Haugh, Michael Hunt, Brett Jordan, and Andrew McCormick all maintained perfect attendance throughout their entire apprenticeship.

Congratulations to our incredible 2015 Apprenticeship Graduates.

We are very proud of you!

 

Plumbing Graduates:

(L-R) Shawn Haugh, Brett Jordan, Michael Hunt, Kasey Koltes & Andrew McCormick

 

 

Sheet Metal Graduates:

(L-R) Kyle Kauffman & Nick Miller

Good Luck Nick Miller Blog – By: Jessica Craft

As you may already know, this past October, our 4th Year Sheet Metal Apprentice Nicholas Miller won a spot to compete at the 2015 ABC National Craft Championship. What you may not know, is that the competition is quickly approaching!

During the first week of March, Nick and his fellow competitors will travel to Fort Lauderdale, Florida to compete in various skilled trades including Carpentry, Sheet Metal, Electrical and Plumbing. The two day competition will include a written exam as well as a hands-on skills test where they will be judged on various competencies such as craftsmanship, attention to detail and their ability to work safely. Did I mention they will do all of this while in front of an audience of thousands of guests, construction company representatives, past competitors and judges? That doesn’t sound stressful at all, does it?

Nick Miller

Nick has been diligently preparing for this competition by reviewing his text and code books, completing mock written exams and performing hands-on skill drills, all while working full time on our various projects and attending apprenticeship classes two nights a week. He does all of this on top of being a husband, father and all around good guy. 

We could not be more proud of Nick, and we wish him all the best as he competes March 4th and 5th.

We know he will represent the Keystone ABC Chapter (& James CRAFT & Son) very well!

Meet The Competitors Blog: By Jessica Craft

Each year the Keystone Chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) holds a Craft Competition allowing fourth year apprentices to compete for an opportunity to represent the Keystone Chapter at the National Craft Championships Competition. Started in 1987 to celebrate and recognize craft training in the construction industry, the competition draws the nation’s most talented craftspeople from leading merit shop construction firms.

On October 18th & 19th James CRAFT & Son will proudly sponsor four employees competing at the local level. Including three plumbing apprentices (Shawn Haugh, Michael Hunt & Kasey Koltes) and one sheet metal apprentice (Nicholas Miller).

To qualify for the local competition, apprentices must rank top in their class for grades, attendance and on the job training. The event is comprised of a written test and hands on skills challenges judging competitors on accuracy, craftsmanship, and safety.

Our four competitors are being well coached in-house by current CRAFT Employees and Past National Competitors: Dave Arndt-Project Superintendent and 1996 National Champion in Plumbing; and Jerry Brown, III-Sheet Metal Mechanic and 3rd place finisher at the 2008 National Competition.

We wish Shawn, Mike, Kasey and Nick the best of luck and know they will represent James CRAFT & Son very well! 

For more information on the National Craft Championships visit: http://www.nationalcraftchampionships.org/

Dellinger Retirement Blog – By: Jessica Craft

t’s not every day we at James CRAFT & Son celebrate the retirement of one of our employees. Truth be told, once someone reaches the 10 year mark, they have a tendency to stick around. This is exactly the case for our most recent retiree, Ernie Dellinger. Prior to his retirement in January 2014, Ernie worked for James CRAFT & Son for 43 years. Ernie’s career at CRAFT began in 1970 when he started working as a plumbing mechanic. Through the years he worked up through the ranks as a plumbing lead man, project foreman and finally a project superintendent. Through the years Ernie was not only known for his knowledge and work ethic, he was also a trusted teacher and advisor to our apprentices and new employees. Recently, I asked Ernie what his retirement plans were and he said he was looking forward to working on his crop farm and spending time with his family and grandchildren. However, he was quick to point out he was happy to come back and work with us should we ever need him. I’m happy to report Ernie is now listed as a retiree/ part time employee. Happy Retirement Ernie! Thank you for a wonderful 43 Years!

Back To School Blog – By: Jessica Craft

September is synonymous with Back to School. There isn’t a store in town without a Back to School Deal. We add 10 minutes to our morning commutes thanks to school traffic and suddenly everyone is overcome with the urge to buy new clothes and fresh pencils. (Okay, maybe that last part just happens to me)

Regardless, September is a time of learning and growth and not just for those who are riding those big yellow buses.

Here at James CRAFT & Son, Inc. our apprentices are gearing up for a new school year too. Earlier this month I had the pleasure of attending Apprenticeship Orientation to help pass out new school books.

While I was there I was able to snap pictures of 2 veteran apprentices…

This year we have twelve apprentices returning to classes representing the HVACR, Plumbing and Sheet Metal trades. We also have three employees teaching Electrical and Sheet Metal Classes.

Our apprentices aren’t the only ones in class. The members of our Safety Committee just completed their annual training. They are also in the midst of planning our annual companywide Safety Day which will take place this December.

Kyle Kauffman (Sheet Metal)

Ian Sayres (Plumbing)

Thank You Administrative Professionals Blog – By: Jessica Craft

It goes without saying, when someone thinks of James CRAFT & Son, Inc. they think about our red trucks. They think about our Service Technicians in their red vans, the field staff that walks through their hospitals or is on the roof of their office buildings. Our field staff is our best form of advertising. Sporting their red hard hats, and company logo t-shirts, their day to day operations are spent outside of our office building. However, did you know that some of our most elite staff members are working behind closed doors?

In our main office in York Haven, eleven of the best and the brightest of their kind are keeping our field staff organized, ensuring our materials are ordered, directing our phone calls, coordinating our paperwork, double checking our pricing and making sure everyone gets paid on Friday. Essentially, they are running the show.

Who are these amazing people? They are our Administrative Team. These eleven ladies know all the ins and outs of our organization. Not only do they know their jobs and do them well, they can help out in other departments too. They greet our customers will smiling faces, answer our phones with professionalism and poise, and always willing to lend a hand when the going gets tough. They are our backbone and we often don’t tell them ‘thank you’ enough.

So, as we recognize Administrative Professional’s Week starting April 22nd, please remember to thank the awesome members of our team. Whether you’re stopping by, giving one of them a call, or sending an email, tell them you appreciate them just as much as we do.

Jill, Chris, Ellen, Missy, Beth, Ruth, Lori, Diane, Tina, Jane and Sherry – Thank you for your hard work, dedication and warm hearts. James CRAFT & Son, Inc. would not be the same without you!

A Family Tradition Blog – By: Jessica Craft

This past summer my husband David and I welcomed our son, Ryan James, into the world. Aside from being the world’s cutest baby he is also the first of the 6th Generation of Crafts to roam the halls of James CRAFT & Son, Inc. While his only role right now is to visit his Grandpa at work. Someday, if he wants, he could have the opportunity to be part of a company that takes pride in its many generations. A tradition not limited to just the Craft family.

Over the years we’ve had countless sets of brothers, fathers & sons, sons & mothers, fathers & daughters and plenty of cousins and in-laws too. We are very fortunate to have multiple generations of family members among our ranks.

Currently, there are 3 sets of brothers, 6 sets of Father’s and Son’s and one Father, Daughter and Son Group working at James CRAFT & Son, Inc. – none of whom are related to the Craft Family.

Allow me to highlight just a few our multi-generation employees:

Allison Krout is a Project Coordination Assistant and third generation employee. Her father was a long time member of our field crew and her grandmother, Ramona Krout, retired after several decades of service as our Purchasing Manager.

Dave and Karl Arndt are brothers and graduates of our Plumbing Apprenticeship Program. Dave currently works as a Project Superintendent. Karl is a Plumbing Estimator.

Jerry Brown Jr., our Sheet Metal Shop Foreman, works alongside his daughter Kate Brown, who is a 1st Year Sheet Metal Apprentice. Jerry’s son, Jerry Brown III, is a graduate of our Sheet Metal Apprentice Program and currently works as a sheet metal mechanic.

Roger and Shawn Haugh are another one of our father/son pairs. Roger is one of our Lead Mechanical Estimators, and Shawn is a 2nd Year Plumbing Apprentice.

We are very proud of our family tradition here at James CRAFT & Son, Inc. It is employees like these who keep our traditional of “Quality CRAFTsmanship” alive and well.


JLC with Ryan

Apprenticeship Blog (Part 2) – By: Jessica Craft

For our 2012 Apprenticeship Application Period we have openings for men and women interested in careers in the Plumbing and Sheet Metal trades.Jessica1
Individuals interested in becoming an apprentice must apply in person and furnish copies of the following non-returnable materials:

1. Proof of age (copy for our records of birth certificate or similar document).
2. Copy of High School Diploma or GED Certificate, if applicable.
3. Transcripts of Last Grade Completed from Guidance Department of school attended.
4. Proof of Trade Work Experience, if any (letter from employer noting experience).
5. Form 214 for Veterans applying. Other forms may be needed.
6. Three Letters of Reference from acquaintances, other than family.

Applicants shall be of legal working age, and physically fit to perform the duties of the trade. All job offers are contingent upon passing physical/drug test, and furnishing ID and work eligibility documents required by U.S. Immigration Laws.

Applicants placed in the eligibility pool will be interviewed by a representative of our Company. They will be notified of the time and date of the interview.
We will have openings for the placement of apprentices as follows:

4 – PLUMBER/PIPEFITTER
1 – SHEET METAL WORKER

Interested persons apply to:

JAMES CRAFT & SON, INC.
2780 YORK HAVEN ROAD, YORK HAVEN, PA 17370

JUNE 4, 2012 thru JUNE 15, 2012 – 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday thru Friday

We are an equal opportunity employer, and selection of apprentice applicants under this program shall be on the basis of qualification and without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, or non job-related disability.

Apprenticeship Blog (Part 1) – By: Jessica Craft

Continuing education has been a long standing tradition here at James CRAFT & Son, Inc. Our company has had its own state approved apprenticeship program since the mid 1970’s. Our tradition of continuing education carries on as we plan for our 2012 Application Process that will open in June.

Over the years I have had the opportunity to speak on behalf of our Apprenticeship Program to various groups from grade school and high school students to anxious parents and adults looking for a career change. My first question is always “Does anyone know what an apprenticeship program is?” Most of the time I get a lot of blank stares but every now and again some one will say “Does that mean we get paid to learn?”

It sure does!

The fundamentals are learned in the classroom through book work, hands on activities and instructor lectures. Apprenticeship instructors are unique. Many of them are still actively involved in their trades and work a full time job on top of their teaching. The rest have recently retired from their trade and are looking for a way to give back.

Tuition for these classes is paid for by James Craft & Son, Inc. We also pay for your books!!!

In total, our apprentices will spend approximately four years working for their journeyman’s card. It’s hard work, requiring around 8,000 hours of on the job training and another 575 hours in the classroom. And none of that includes the time spent working on homework and studying for exams.

So what do we look for in our future apprentices?

  • A High School Diploma or GED
  • Good Attendance in School
  • Good Grades in construction related classes such as Math, Communications, Drafting, Metal or Wood Technologies, etc.
  • Construction Related Work Experience
  • Men and Women who are eager to work hard and are ready to learn

Our Apprenticeship Application Process will begin June 4th. Check back later this month for more information.