KANSAS CITY, MO — Four students from the Associated Builders and Contractors Heart of America Apprenticeship Trust recently competed in the 33rd annual National Craft Championships (NCC). The local craft champions traveled to Nashville, Tennessee, and joined competitors from across the country. The competition dates back to 1987, when it was created to celebrate and recognize craft training in construction careers. Year after year, NCC helps ABC showcase the role that skilled trades training plays in the construction industry.

• Thomas Horn – Plumbing
• Spencer Walker – Electrical Residential Commercial
• Joshua Matthews – Pipefitting
• Weston Shellenberger – Electrical Commercial Industrial

At the NCC, more than 170 craft professionals competed for top honors in 17 competitions representing 13 crafts. At the competition, students took a two-hour written exam. After that, competitors participated in a hands-on practical performance test that lasted the entire day.

The ABC Heart of America Apprenticeship Trust’s next local Craft Championships competition is on Friday, December 11, 2020 at ABC’s Kansas City Training Facility. The students will compete for the opportunity to move onto the national competition.

Additionally, high school students from across the state will join the ABC Heart of America Apprenticeship Trust to watch the competition. Visiting students will also be able to explore career opportunities in construction. Member companies will have educational booths with hands-on activities for students to learn more about the construction industry.