Last year’s graduation reception was a festive occasion for family and friends of the NEFBA apprentice program.

Thirty-seven apprentices will be graduating in the 2006 Northeast Florida Builders Association Apprentice class.

The graduation ceremony will be 7 p.m., Thursday, May 4 at the Florida Community College at Jacksonville Downtown Campus in the large auditorium. A reception will follow the ceremony.

City Councilman Daniel Davis will be the commencement speaker.

“It’s truly an honor to be asked to speak to the apprentice graduates on this occasion,” Davis said. “NEFBA’s Apprentice Program does an excellent job of providing training and jobs for these young men and women, giving them opportunities for advancement in their chosen fields.”

NEFBA Training Vice President Keith Ward will present the diplomas.

Apprentice training has been a major focus of the Northeast Florida Builders Association for 33 years. As of the May 2006 graduation, 1,392 apprentices will have been trained in NEFBA’s four-year programs.

When the NEFBA construction-training program began in September 1973, classes were offered in the electrical and plumbing trades. By the time the first class of 15 graduated in 1976, carpentry and heating and air-conditioning were also being offered.

The first graduation was held three years after the first class was formed because some students in the initial class were able to complete the four-year program in three years, receiving credit for experience and/or training.

By 1976, NEFBA’s training program was the largest program under the sponsorship of the National Association of Home Builders Manpower and Training Department with 190 apprentices enrolled.

Carmel Morris, Allstate Electrical Contractors, was the original chairman and has been dubbed the godfather of NEFBA’s apprenticeship program for his early and continuing involvement.

In 1976, NEFBA enrolled the first apprentice free of charge. Originally, sponsoring employers paid $150 to enter an employee in the program. Under the landmark decision of the apprentice executive committee, NEFBA allowed each employer to enroll one employee without a fee. They continued to pay $150 for any other enrollees.

Nail-driving contests are held each year to increase the awareness of area high school students to the opportunities available in the construction industry. The program has sponsored contests at trade shows and in Northeast Florida high schools for 22 years.

For more information about the apprentice graduation, contact Vaune Scobie at 725-4355, ext. 231.

2006 NEFBA Apprentice Graduates

2006 APPRENTICE GRADUATES

Matthew J. Arnold

D&W Electric

Villamor A. Asuncion

First Class Air Conditioning

John G. Ballance Jr.

Adkins Electric

Kariem L. Dorset

Alligood Electric

Aaron T. Emery

DeBerry Electric

Bradley A. Fair

Allstate Electrical Contractors

Nicholas W. Gaskins

Haskell Co.

Gary E. Griffin II

Regency Electric

Robert N. Herald Jr.

Advanced Wiring Services

John M. Hessong

Southeast Electrical Contractors

Patrick T. Hisle

Munson & Bryan Electric

Brent M. Hume

Allstate Electrical Contractors

Kelvin L. Jones

DeBerry Electric

Joshua P. Jordan

DeBerry Electric

Seth M. Kelley

Moore Electrical Contractors

Kevin J. Ketchledge

DesJardin Electrical

Kylan R. Knight

Early Electric

Aaron M. LaPointe

Maddenaire

Anthony C. Lombardi

Daniel W. MacGregor, Jr.

W.W. Gay Fire Protection

Stephen L. Mauthe, II

All Service Electric

Ryan O. Mayer

Hinson Electrical Contractors

Patrick S. Moltmaker

Auld & White Constructors

Roland W. Murwin

Moore Electrical Contractors

Bradley R. Parliment

Allstate Electrical Contractors

Sovannaroth Pich

Regency Electric

William L. Ridgeway III

Haskell Co.

Wayne C. Robinson

Adkins Electric

Bradley F. Seelbinder

Munson & Bryan Electric

Paul A. Self

Moore Electrical Contractors

Shawn P. Shoemaker

American Electric

Nicholas A. Shullar

M. Gay Constructors

Jeremy K. Sisley

Kim’s Electric

Phillip G. Tanner

Thermodyne Services

Chris A. Taylor

Steeg Plumbing

Bobby E. Thompson

Air Engineers

Gary L. Williams

American Electrical Contracting

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