For more information, contact Kristi Pronovost
717.653.8106 or kristi@abckeystone.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – March 6, 2017

(MANHEIM, Pa.) The Keystone Chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC Keystone) is proud to announce that three of their high-achieving apprentices competed at the National Craft Championships held on March 1 and 2.

On Friday, March 3, Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) honored the winners of the National Craft Championships during the Careers in Construction awards ceremony in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. The ceremony took place at the conclusion of ABC’s Workforce Week.

ABC Keystone was represented by:

 

Trade Competitor Company Hometown
Carpentry Justin Cramer Benchmark Construction Co., Inc. (Brownstown) York
Carpentry Zachary Rhoads Benchmark Construction Co., Inc. (Brownstown) Willow Street
Electrical Jeremy Weaver The Farfield Company (Lititz) Reinholds

Two ABC Keystone apprentices won the following awards:

Safety Award and Gold Medalist:
Carpentry: Zachary Rhoads, Benchmark Construction Co., Inc. (Willow Street)

Silver Medalist
Carpentry: Justin Cramer, Benchmark Construction Co., Inc. (York)

“This competition draws some of the nation’s most talented craftspeople, and the apprentices from ABC Keystone are nose-to-nose with them in skills, safety, and dedication,” remarked G. David Sload, ABC Keystone Vice President, Education & Workforce Development. “Taking both the gold and the silver as well as the safety award in carpentry, shows the seriousness and dedication both our employees and employers take to their training and safety. ABC is extremely proud to have the best of the best in carpentry.”

NCC is part of ABC’s effort to raise the profile of careers in construction and highlight the $1.1 billion ABC member companies spend annually on workforce development. Competitors from 29 states contended for gold, silver and bronze medals and a safety award in 13 competitions representing 11 crafts. The two-day competition included a written exam and a hands-on, practical test where competitors demonstrated their high-level craftsmanship and safety best practices. 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 craft skills 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.

ABC Keystone congratulates the following competitors on a job well-done in the 2017 National Craft Championships:

ABC Keystone Apprentices Win Awards

(L-R) Zachary Rhoads, Benchmark Construction Co., Inc. (Carpentry); Justin Cramer, Benchmark Construction Co., Inc. (Carpentry); Jeremy Weaver, The Farfield Company (Electrical).
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The Keystone Chapter of Associated Builders & Contractors (ABC) is a construction trade association based out of Manheim, Pennsylvania, representing nearly 600 construction-related firms. Founded on the merit shop philosophy, ABC and its 70 chapters help members win work and deliver that work safely, ethically, and profitably for the betterment of the communities in which they work. Visit us at www.abckeystone.org