ABC Names the Nation’s Top Construction Craft Champions

LAS VEGAS, NV — Associated Builders and Contractors has announced the winners of the 2025 National Craft Championships. The winners were honored at ABC’s Careers in Construction Awards ceremony during ABC Convention 2025 in Las Vegas on Feb. 27.

The 36th annual competition showed the skills and expertise of nearly 200 of the nation’s best craft professionals in trades such as carpentry, drywall, electrical, fire sprinkler, HVAC, instrumentation, millwright, power line, welding and more, all vying for top honors in 15 competitions with skills on display in 11 crafts. NCC included a commercial team competition with journey-level craft professionals from different trades working to complete a joint project. The competition also included a two-hour online exam and a six-hour practical performance test.

“For 36 years, this national construction competition has showcased the outstanding abilities and achievements of the future of the industry,” said 2025 Chair of the ABC National Board of Directors David Pugh, Partner, Bradley, Birmingham, Alabama. “These champions demonstrated superior skills and safe work practices during the 36th annual championships, which hosted competitors from dozens of states and all corners of the nation. Join me in congratulating these true craft professionals for their successes and applaud them for what they will go on to accomplish in their careers in construction.”

The Future of the Industry

Established in 1987, ABC presents the National Craft Championships annually to highlight the achievements of the people who represent the future of the construction industry. Craft trainees and apprentices travel from across the country to demonstrate their superior skills, training and safe work practices and compete for top honors in their chosen craft. For the training sponsors, employers and ABC chapters, the NCC demonstrates a staunch commitment to the career paths the construction industry offers.

"Many [participants] go through a local competition at their local chapter to get the honor of representing us at the national level," Carla Kugler, President and CEO of ABC New Mexico and a coordinator for the championships, said. "I can speak for my chapter when I say it’s a big deal to even get to that point. Many compete against dozens of craft trainees or apprentices locally to get chosen."

Both locally and nationally, competitors are supported by their sponsoring chapter, their employer and in many cases friends and family. It is common to see families wearing T-shirts with their competitors’ name, cheering them on during the competition. 

"It’s a testament to the commitment our industry puts into its people," Kugler continued. "Skilled craftspeople are a dying breed, the need is big, and I’m honored to be part of the heavy lift of putting the skilled trades back on the radar of our country."

All of the Above

ABC’s all-of-the-above approach to workforce development has produced a network of ABC chapters and affiliates across the country that offer more than 800 apprenticeship, craft, safety and management education programs—including more than 450 government-registered apprenticeship programs across 20 different occupations—to build the people who build America.

Milwaukee Tool, an industry-leading manufacturer of heavy-duty power tools, accessories and hand tools, has been the official tool sponsor of NCC since 2019. The company provides tools, PPE, storage and prizes for NCC competitors. The competition is supported by volunteers, generous sponsors and in-kind contributors who plan and execute this event annually.

Plumbing Competition Winners

Safety
Zeneddine Boubouche, TDIndustries

Bronze
Timothy Arnold, ABC Indiana/Kentucky

Silver
Tel Moeller, Hometown Mechanical, ABC of Iowa Apprenticeship and Training Trust

Gold
Seth James Streifel, JPI Development ABC Southern California

Related competitions included Fire Sprinkler, Pipefitting and Pipe Welding. 

For a full list of winners in all categories visit www.abc.org/Portals/1/NewsMedia/2025%20NCC%20winners%20FINAL.pdf. 

For more information, visit abc.org/ncc.