ABC National Craft Championships

The ABC National Craft Championships (NCC) is one of the construction industry’s most prestigious showcases of skill, craftsmanship, and safety. Held annually since 1987, the NCC celebrates the best of the best in construction trades from across the country. This high-energy, multi-day event brings together nearly 200 of the nation’s top craft trainees and apprentices—each representing the highest standards in merit shop training and skilled trade careers.

Hosted by Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) National, the competition is the culmination of thousands of hours of training, on-the-job experience, and classroom instruction. Competitors demonstrate their expertise through a combination of written exams and intense, hands-on performance challenges that mirror real-world job conditions.

Celebrating Excellence in Skilled Trades

Participants compete in more than a dozen craft areas, including:

  • Carpentry
  • Electrical (Commercial and Residential/Industrial)
  • HVAC
  • Instrumentation Fitting
  • Insulation
  • Millwright
  • Pipefitting
  • Sheet Metal
  • Welding (Pipe and Structural)

ABC Texas Gulf Coast Chapter Involvement

At ABC Texas Gulf Coast, we are proud to sponsor and support local craft professionals on their path to the NCC. Our training programs, in partnership with Merit Shop Training, Inc. (MSTI) and local institutions like Brazosport College, prepare students with the skills and confidence needed to succeed at the highest levels.

In 2025, our own Cheyenne Moody—representing Brazosport College and RPM Services, Inc.—brought home a silver medal in the millwright division at the National Craft Championships. Cheyenne’s performance showcased the strength of our local training pipeline and the incredible talent emerging from our region.

Our chapter continues to encourage participation in this elite competition by supporting our apprentices and trainees through mentorship, sponsorship, and hands-on experience.

Get Involved

Whether you’re a student, employer, instructor, or industry supporter, there are many ways to get involved with the ABC National Craft Championships. You can nominate a craft trainee, provide sponsorships, donate materials or tools, or simply attend to cheer on the next generation of craft professionals.