The Associated Builders and Contractors of the Carolinas (ABC) says that Bryan Eddings, Gatch Electric, Charleston, SC won the Silver Medal and Jeremy Shirley, Starr Electric, Raleigh, NC won the Bronze Medal in the Commercial Electrical Competition at the 30th annual National Craft Championships (NCC) earlier this month. Eddings and Shirley were presented with the award at ABC’s Careers in Construction Awards Breakfast March 3 at the conclusion of ABC’s Workforce Week ’17 in Fort Lauderdale, FL. In addition to the medals, they took home cash prizes.
“We are proud to have the best of the best electricians in the country from the Carolinas,” said ABC president and CEO Doug Carlson “The Carolinas apprenticeship programs continue to turn out a talented group of highly trained and incredibly skilled craft professionals who represent the future of our great industry.”
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.
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.
