ABC Mass. member, O’Dowd of DECCO, wins National Craft Championship medal

Woburn, MA Associated Builders and Contractors of Massachusetts and its training affiliate, the Gould Construction Institute, said that Sean O’Dowd, an employee of member company DECCO, took home the gold medal in pipefitting at the 32^nd annual National Craft Championships during ABC Convention 2019 in Long Beach, CA. NCC showcases the best of the best craft professionals in the construction industry. 

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 day-long, hands-on practical performance test. 

“Sean was competing against skilled craftsmen who do pipefitting work every day,” said ABC Massachusetts president Greg Beeman.  “Even thought that isn’t the case for Sean, he proved himself to be the best pipefitter.” 

O’Dowd, 23, is in the final year of a three-year pipefitting apprenticeship at DECCO.  He plans to sit for the pipefitter exam within a year; possibly as early as this summer.

He made it to Long Beach by winning the pipefitting category at the Massachusetts Chapter’s craft championship competition, which was held at Greater Lawrence Technical School.  The regional craft championship is coordinated and executed by the team at Gould Construction Institute (GCI).

“Sean’s accomplishment is another example of the dedication of ABC member companies and their employees to safety and training,” said GCI President Julie Kelliher.

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. 

Milwaukee Tool, an industry-leading manufacturer of heavy-duty power tools, accessories and hand tools, is the official tool sponsor of this year’s NCC. Milwaukee Tool provided tools, safety equipment and prizes for NCC competitors.

A full list of NCC winners can be found on ABC’s website