Jacob Long of Knott Mechanical won the gold medal in the HVACR competition at Associated Builders and Contractors’ 32nd annual National Craft Championships (NCC). Long was presented with the award at ABC’s Careers in Construction Awards ceremony March 28 at the conclusion of ABC Convention 2019 in Long Beach, California.
The NCC featured a field of 168 craft professionals competing for top honors in 14 competitions representing 12 crafts, from electrical and plumbing to carpentry and welding, as well as a team competition with journey-level competitors from four different crafts working to complete a joint project. The competition includes a two-hour written exam and a daylong, hands-on practical performance test.
Long, 20, graduated from the HVACR program at Carroll County Career & Technology Center and then entered ABC Greater Baltimore’s apprenticeship program.
“The annual National Craft Championships honors the best the merit shop construction industry has to offer,” said 2019 ABC National Chair Tony Rader, telecom vice president of National Roofing Partners, Coppell, Texas. “I am always amazed by the level of dedication NCC competitors show to their craft, safety and professional development. This talented group of craft professionals are leaders in our workforce and I look forward to their continued contributions to the construction industry.”
Started in 1987, 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. Each year the competition draws some of the nation’s most talented craft professionals and highlights the important role that craft skills education plays in the construction industry.
Over the past 13 years, Baltimore apprentices have captured a medal 19 different times, including seven Gold medals. For more information on the Craft Championships go to http://ncc.abc.org/ .
A list of the winners is available on ABC’s website.
