WASHINGTON, March 25—Associated Builders and Contractors announced today that it has hired Jarrell Jackson as the director of ABC’s National Craft Championships and Construction Workforce Awards.

Jackson brings nearly 15 years of program management experience to ABC’s NCC and CWA, two hallmark programs that highlight the best of the best in the construction industry. While promoting and celebrating skilled trades and careers in construction, Jackson will serve as the ABC national staff liaison to the NCC Committee and as the liaison amongst ABC strategic partners, training sponsors and outside resources in a workforce development subject matter expert capacity. Jackson will support ABC chapters and their members in promoting the programs. Additionally, Jarrell will focus on ensuring the competitions, tools and equipment reflect the industry and align the competitions with world class safety, craft education, technology and work methods and processes.

“Jarrell’s understanding of the industry, events, logistics and exceptional customer service will continue to raise the bar of ABC’s National Craft Championships and Construction Workforce Awards, and we know his fresh perspective will bring ABC to new heights,” said Greg Sizemore, ABC’s vice president of health, safety, environment and workforce development. “The U.S. construction industry needs to hire 430,000 workers in 2021, evidence that this industry is powering our recovery and economic engine. Recruiting the next generation of craft professionals is a top priority of ABC, and the career possibilities in this industry are on full display at the NCC and CWA. We are thrilled to have Jarrell join our team.”

Prior to joining ABC, Jackson served as the events director for Lakeshore Sport and Fitness in Chicago, an events and marketing manager for Village of South Holland in South Holland, Illinois, and a project manager for Jackson Construction Corp. in Country Club Hills, Illinois.

Established in 1987, 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. Each year the competition draws some of the nation’s most talented craft professionals and highlights the important role that craft skills education plays in the construction industry.