Forest Hills Tradesman To Compete In Northeast Bricklayer Contest

FOREST HILLS, QUEENS -- A Forest Hills tradesman will get the chance to put his bricklaying talents to the test this weekend at the 2018 BAC Northeast Regional Apprentice Contest.

Reed Abahazie, a member of the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers, was selected to compete in the organization's annual regional contest, whose prize is a chance at the title of International Champion in their trade.

Abahazie will compete in the bricklaying category of the competition, where contestants participate in hands-on building challenges to prove their skill. He is among 80 BAC apprentices from across the northeast who won locally-held apprentice contests in their respective fields to earn a spot in the competition.

"These apprenticeships have showcased their skills and determination to be the best they can be," said Bob Arnold, national director of apprenticeship and training at the International Masonry Training and Education Foundation.

The 2018 BAC Northeast Regional Apprentice Contest will be at the BAC Local 1 PA/DE Training Center in Philadelphia from May 4 -5. It features eight different categories: Brick, cement, marble, plaster, PCC, stone, terrazzo and tile.

Winners qualify to compete in the 2018 International Apprentice Contest against medalists from BAC's other five regions.

(Lead image: Forest Hills native Reed Abahzie was selected to compete in the 2018 BAC Northeast Regional Apprentice Contest. Photo courtesy of the International Masonry Institute)