91视频

As Associated Builders and Contractors‘ Pacific Northwest chapter prepares to hold its 10th annual Craft Championships, president and CEO Laurie Kendall knows this one will be a bit different. The event will be her swan song; she announced her resignation in late August, and it will take effect Nov. 22.

In 20 years as the chapter’s president, Kendall said her greatest achievement was bringing ABC’s National Craft Championships 鈥� an event in which apprentices compete in their trade 鈥� to a local forum.

鈥淭he first time I saw it, it was one of the most amazing experiences because the young men and women competitors, as they were going out onto the floor, all of the ABC members were applauding them,鈥� Kendall said of the national event.

Kendall first served ABC as director of member services. Seven years later, the Pacific Northwest chapter’s board of directors asked her to serve as president. But now Kendall wants to try something different, she said, even though she doesn’t know yet what that will be.

The chapter’s board will select a new president; it’s working with ABC National in the search. Kendall will work with the chapter on the transition. The board is utilizing multiple avenues, both locally and nationally, to find a replacement, chairperson Stephanie Cannon stated in an email.

The chapter’s board has been generous, Kendall said, in developing her skill set over the years. She asked that the chapter become an accredited sponsor of the National Center for Construction Education & Research (NCCER), a nonprofit that provides credentials for construction industry professionals. High schools must have a sponsor to teach the curriculum, she explained. Kendall became a master trainer to certify high school teachers to teach the curriculum. Now students can start apprenticeships immediately after high school.

鈥淎BC is with you throughout your entire career,鈥� Kendall said.

This year, ABC started a Young Professionals program for people younger than age 40 who want to advance higher in their career or even start their own company.

One of the persistent challenges facing ABC and the construction industry is the skilled labor shortage. Too few young people are entering the industry, Kendall said. She wants to ensure that teenagers know that there are career paths aside from attaining a four-year degree from a university.

The Pacific Northwest chapter’s Craft Championships is an opportunity for students to see the trades in action. The event was structured to spotlight sheet metal and HVAC apprentices. Like in the national competition, the apprentices take a written test. Those with the highest scores are eligible to enter the local competition.

Several years ago, the local chapter started inviting high school students to attend the event. In addition to watching the competitions, they can try using heavy equipment from the Northwest College of Construction and cutting glass from Salem-based Dallas Glass. Students also are informed of available apprenticeship programs. Last year, 1,000 high school students attended, Kendall said.

This year’s local Craft Championships will take place Thursday at the Kliever Armory in Portland.

ABC’s Pacific Northwest chapter provides local winners of the HVAC and sheet metal competitions with paid trips to the national event in the spring. Next year, it will be featured with the ABC national convention on March 18-20 in Salt Lake City.