ABC’s 2016 National Craft Championships (NCC) gold medalists were honored before an audience of more than 40,000 at a July 1 baseball game at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C. Before the game, the champions and their families were given all-access passes to the field and were able to watch batting practice, followed by a picnic hosted by ABC in the fairgrounds just outside the stadium. As spectators filed into the stadium, the champions stood on the field while their names were announced over the public address system—recognizing them, their companies and their NCC gold medals during the pre-game ceremony. 

ABC congratulated the winners of its 2016 National Craft Championships competition during the March 4 Careers in Constructions awards held during the association’s Workforce Development Conference, March 1-4, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. 

Save the date and support the competitors of the 2016 National Craft Championships by volunteering to serve as a judge. All judges must be an ABC member and have a demonstrated expertise in one of the designated crafts. Judges are required to be onsite in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. on Wednesday, March 2 and Thursday, March 3, and are invited to see the winners revealed at the Careers in Construction Awards ceremony on Friday, March 4. 

The National Craft Championships (NCC) is seeking judges for the 2015 competition which will be held March 3-6 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. If you or someone you know has demonstrated experience in one of the crafts represented in the competition, lend your time and talents to help name the winning craft apprentices and trainees at the 2015 NCC.

The 2015 National Craft Championships is approaching its Jan. 9 Intent to Compete deadline. Don’t miss out on being a part of the big event and reserve a spot for your most talented employees by the Jan. 9 deadline. The event will be held March 3-6 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. in conjunction with ABC’s Workforce Conference.

New in 2015, a team competition for journey-level craft professionals will be added to the lineup of National Craft Championships (NCC) events with teams of five representing electrical, pipefitting, millwright, carpentry and insulation crafts. The teams will demonstrate how the crafts work together to simulate real-life working conditions and to highlight their skills. If you have a craft professional who you want to participate in the inaugural team competition, complete an Intent to Compete form by Jan. 9.

Does your company employ craft trainees and apprentices who excel in their trade?  Have you and your employees participated in a craft competition at your local ABC chapter? Our National Craft Championships is welcoming those who want to take their skills to the next level and showcase what they can do on a national stage. If you want your employees to show what your company is about –growing a skilled workforce and delivering the best work—then submit an intent to compete form and claim your spot in the 2015 National Craft Championships.

The annual National Craft Championships (NCC) brings together the best craft trainees from across the country to show off their skills and compete in one of thirteen crafts. At the end of the week, 13 of the competitors will be walking away with a gold medal around their necks and a cash prize in their pocket—showing that your training program produces truly the best and most-skilled craft professionals. 

With a looming workforce shortage of 1.6 million skilled craft workers, contractors must ensure they are doing everything they can to keep the ones they already have. The 39 gold, silver and bronze 2014 National Craft Championship winners prove that by sending a competitor to the annual competition, you can create excitement among your trainees and encourage them to hone their skills, work safely and be proud to be a part of your training program.

The Intent to Compete forms for the 2015 National Craft Championships are now available online for ABC members and chapters who think their apprentices and craft trainees have what it takes to win the national title of ABC’s  craft champions. The competition will take place March 3-6 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. and Intent to Compete forms are due by Dec. 1, 2014.The 2015 competition will feature the following crafts: