Local Apprentices Named Illinois Craft Champions, Headed to National Competition

Elk Grove Village — November 6 — The Associated Builders & Contractors, Illinois Chapter (ABC IL) is proud to announce that Michael Garrett (Orland Park) and Dominic Guglielmi (Montgomery, IL) have been named the Illinois Craft Champions in the 2025 state-level competition for construction apprentices. Michael earned top honors in Plumbing, while Dominic took first place in Electrical.

Both competitors will now represent Illinois at the National Craft Championships, to be held in Salt Lake City, Utah, in March 2026. ABCIL will sponsor their travel and participation in the national event.

Hosted by Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC), the National Craft Championships showcase the best construction apprentices and trainees from across the country. More than 190 competitors will vie for gold in 16 competitions, demonstrating their skills in 12 different crafts. The competition emphasizes safety, teamwork, planning, leadership, and workmanship—all under simulated real-world jobsite conditions.

“We’re incredibly proud of Michael and Dominic for their hard work, professionalism, and dedication to their crafts,” said Alicia Martin, President of ABC IL. “They’ve earned this opportunity to represent Illinois, and we’re confident they’ll make us proud on the national stage.”

The Illinois competition, while a scaled-back version of the national event, allowed local apprentices to demonstrate their technical skills, safety knowledge, and craftsmanship. Both Michael and Dominic’s outstanding performances earned them the top spots and a chance to compete among the nation’s best.