Left to right: Jordan Payne, Spencer Cunningham, and Owen Kepple.
DECCO, Inc. is thrilled to share the outstanding achievement of our second-year apprentice, Owen Kepple, who clinched the bronze medal in the TIG welding category at the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) National Craft Championships. The award ceremony took place amidst the glitz of the ABC Convention held in Kissimmee, FL in March. Alongside Owen, DECCO also had two other talented apprentices showcasing their skills at the championships. Jordan Payne, a third-year apprentice, and Spencer Cunningham, a second-year apprentice, competed in the pipe welding and pipefitting categories, respectively.
“Our success at the National Craft Championship is a testament to our instructors, the DECCO training facilities, and the apprentices themselves. Owen is our 10th National medalist and we’re proud of the work he and his fellow apprentices put in every day to further their merit shop career. Competing against the best talent in the country and winning a medal is something Owen will always remember,” says CEO Kyle Reagan.
This year’s 35th anniversary the National Craft Championships (NCC) was a high-stakes competition that invited over 190 men and women from across the country to compete for gold in 16 competitions across twelve crafts. The competition aims for participants to demonstrate safety protocols, simulate working conditions, and practice craft teamwork. Most importantly, competitors also have the opportunity to highlight the craft skills they have learned throughout their apprenticeship experience. Participants first qualified at their Local Craft Championship to advance on to the NCC. The ABC Massachusetts Chapter and the Gould Construction Institute sponsored the participants from DECCO.
DECCO takes pride in its federally registered Apprenticeship Program offered in both pipefitting and plumbing. These programs aim to equip individuals with the necessary training and education to obtain licensure in their chosen craft. With a legacy spanning over 15 years, over 200 DECCO employee-partners have participated in the Apprentice Program, with a remarkable 100% success rate in meeting program requirements and acquiring trade licenses. Noteworthy achievements, like Kepple’s medal at the National Craft Championships, underscore the effectiveness of DECCO’s comprehensive apprenticeship initiative in preparing individuals for their craft and paving the way for success among DECCO’s employee-partners. DECCO extends heartfelt congratulations to its apprentices for their unwavering commitment, passion, and perseverance in honing their craft.