Blazer Electric Supply Co., Colorado Springs, CO, recently hosted its 11th Annual Blazer Benefit Golf Tournament on at the Bear Dance Golf Club in Larkspur, CO. This year's event took in a record-breaking total of $40,000 to bolster the local training initiatives of the Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) and the Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (JATC). Thanks to the generosity and dedication of participants and sponsors, a cumulative sum of $290,250 has now been raised to provide crucial support for scholarships, tools, training materials and equipment in both apprenticeship programs.
The IEC and JATC apprenticeship programs play a pivotal role in nurturing the skills and knowledge necessary for a thriving career in the electrical construction trade. With a primary focus on recruiting and preparing a skilled labor force to meet the evolving needs of Colorado's electrical contractors, the local IEC and JATC programs offer training and certification opportunities to candidates from diverse technical and non-technical vocations.
Through these initiatives, aspiring individuals become accomplished electricians or journeymen, enabling them to deliver valuable professional services to the region's electrical industry. In 2023, the contributions and fundraisers from the Blazer Benefit Golf Tournament facilitated scholarships for more than 30 southern Colorado students, helping them successfully complete the 2022/2023 academic year.
Participating individuals and companies had the opportunity to sponsor holes, while players generously donated funds for advantages on the course, such as purchasing mulligans or utilizing a golf ball gun. The funds raised through these endeavors significantly contribute to the tuition funds, assisting students in their pursuit of a fulfilling career in electrical work. The following companies were sponsors for the event:
Title: Casey Bergquist Inc., Atkore, Ideal Industries, Legrand, Milbank, Priority Wire and Spike
Master: Eaton, Electrical Lines/Service Wire, Ewing Foley, Southwire and The Lighting Agency
Journeyman: ASA Electrical Solutions, Burndy, Hubbell Wiring Devices, Illumination Systems Inc., i-Pro Martin, MH Lighting, Milwaukee Tool, and Omni Cable
Apprentice: C. Wright & Associates, CET & Associates, Diode LED, Highland Sales, Keystone Technologies, Mountain States Agency, Nora Lighting, Picoma Industries, Satco, and The Lighting Group
Trevor Blazer, general manager of Blazer Electric Supply, said in the press release, "The Blazer Benefit Golf Tournament not only provides scholarships but also ignites passion and ambition in those embarking on a career in the electrical field. We extend our deepest gratitude to all the individuals and companies who join us year after year to sponsor holes and donate generously. Together, we pave the way for bright futures, bridging the gap between apprenticeship and rewarding careers in the electrical trade."