ABC chairman’s message: National Craft Championships highlight quality training

Each year ABC’s national convention is jam packed with events and award presentations. This year’s convention in Salt Lake City last month was no exception, but amid all the noteworthy moments, I’d like to take a moment to shine a light on the National Craft Championships that were also part of the agenda.

At the national championships, apprentices from across the country who have won local competitions participate in hands-on competitions in a range of trades. 

ABC MA apprentices have always done our chapter proud at the national championships, and that was true again this year even though we didn’t have any who took home medals. 

Christopher Natsis from Professional Electrical Contractors of Connecticut participated in the Electrical-Residential category, Chase Mitchell from DECCO in Pipefitting, Damien Underwood from Notch Mechanical Constructors in Tig Welding, and Notch’s Sam LaPrise in Pipe Welding.

These competitors are the future of our industry and of ABC MA, and they are testament to the quality of training our companies provide. The future is even brighter now with the opening of the Gould Construction Institute’s new Billerica training facility in the last couple years. It provides a venue where Gould can offer hands-on training – and allows us to host the local championships each November at our own facility.

So here’s to Chris, Chase, Damien and Sam, and here’s to the Gould Construction Institute and all our companies that are training the next generation of trade professionals. 

This November, come on out to Billerica and watch the next group of apprentices who will ascend to leadership roles in our Chapter and the industry as a whole. You’ll be glad you did. 

Luiza Mills is the chairman of Associated Builders and Contractors Inc.-Mass. Chapter and is a senior vice president at Interstate Electrical Services Corp., North Billerica, Mass.