2025 Apprenticeship Competition: Honoring Talent, Teamwork & MCF’s Rising Stars!
Robert Sainz, Louis Viramontes, Sean Padilla Mark Alba, Diana Jimenez, David Padilla, Eduardo Marquez, Jose Rocha, Mark Alba
This year’s Apprenticeship Installer Competition brought together seven dedicated apprentices for a day of skill, focus, and community. With about 25–30 attendees — including coworkers, family members, and supporters — the atmosphere was positive, energetic, and rooted in the pride of the trade.
While turnout was a liitle lighter this year (with plans to boost attendance next time 😉), the event delivered strong performances across the board. Instructor Sean Padilla noted that ALL competitors moved steadily through their mock-ups, with the heat welding portion really showcasing their talent and potential.
The top three apprentices kept things incredibly close, but in the end, one competitor pulled ahead. Congratulations to Diana Jimenez, taking first place for the second consecutive year! Her steady craftsmanship and attention to detail earned her another opportunity to represent our region at the Apprentice of the Year Installer Competition at TISE in Las Vegas — a remarkable achievement that reflects her dedication and skills.
MCF Apprentices, Alvaro Martinez (Lvl 6) & Mark Alba (Lvl 5)
We also want to highlight and appreciate our own MCF apprentices, Mark and Alvaro, for stepping up and proudly representing the team. Mark shared that simply being chosen to compete meant a lot to him, saying:
“I felt honored to be picked. All the best installers I know competed when they were apprentices. The competition brought out the best in me… I walked away as a better installer.”
In the days leading up to the event, Mark practiced daily at home and came prepared both mentally and physically. His biggest takeaway?
“Confidence is important — but not too much. This is just the beginning. Win or lose, I’m only going to continue to grow.”
He also expressed deep appreciation for the support he received from the MCF crew, noting that Eric, David, and Jared helped him prepare with materials, mock-ups, and encouragement.
“They didn’t care whether I won or lost — they just told me they were proud of me for stepping up to the challenge. It made me feel like part of the MCF family.”
That sentiment captures exactly what these kind of events are all about: learning, mentorship, and lifting each other up.
A special thank you to the SoCal Floor Layers LMCC & JATC for putting on another well-organized event, complete with bomb food from Cujo’s Big Smoke BBQ, merch giveaways, and a welcoming environment that brought the community together.
As we look ahead, we’re excited to continue building engagement, strengthening participation, and encouraging even more MCF involvement next year. The craft is strong, the talent is rising, and the future of our team looks brighter than ever.
Proud of our trade. Proud of our team. Proud of our path forward. 💪🧰👏
