ABC Acknowledges 2017 National Craft Champions

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Associated Builders and Contractors recognized the winners of the 30th annual National Craft Championships during its Careers in Construction awards ceremony on March 3 at the conclusion of ABC’s Workforce Week ’17.

NCC is a part of ABC’s effort to raise the profile of careers in construction and highlight the $1.1 billion that ABC member companies spend annually on workforce development.

This year’s field of competitors featured nearly 170 craft professionals from 28 states competing for top honors in 13 competitions across 11 crafts. Competitors first took an intense, two-hour written exam and then competed in a daylong hands-on practical performance test. Cash prizes were awarded to medal winners, with gold medal winners taking home $750, silver medal winners earning $500 and bronze medal winners receiving $350.

During the competition, more than 200 local high school students toured the NCC Expo, which also featured masonry and power line demonstrations, welding simulators, a crane simulator, an interactive fall-protection demonstration, tool and training demonstrations and representatives from several local contractors.

The competition was developed in 1987 to help celebrate and recognize craft training in construction careers. Each year, the competition draws some of the nation’s most talented craft professionals and highlights the important role that skilled trades training plays in the construction industry. The National Craft Championships Committee, which is composed of leading merit shop construction firms, plans all year for the two-day competition.

A list of the winners is available on ABC’s website.