BAC Apprentices Crowned International Craft Champions at Skills Contest

The future of the skilled trades was on full display at the 2025 BAC/IMI International Apprentice Contest, where 80 apprentices from the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers (BAC) showcased their talents in a bid to be crowned champions of their craft.

The event, held September 26-27 at Huntington Place in Detroit, Michigan, attracted the top 1% of the union’s apprentices from across the United States and Canada. First, second, and third place were awarded in brick, restoration/pointing-cleaning-caulking, stone, tile, marble, terrazzo, cement, and plaster.

“It means a great deal for me to place and see how I did amongst my peers,” said Michael McKee, Local 23 Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia, Maryland apprentice, who won first prize in brick. “I love that bricklaying offers something new every day. It’s hard work, but it’s very rewarding to see a building come from nothing.”

McKee and his fellow contestants raced to build complex mockups that reflect real-world construction projects in less than 8 hours. They’re scored on criteria like layout, craftsmanship, neatness, safety, and aesthetics by a team of judges who are all industry and craft experts.

“We got the blueprints the night before the competition,” said John Deslippe, Local 1 Pennsylvania-Delaware apprentice, who took home first in restoration/PCC. “It was fun to compete. Every apprentice here is so good. I knew I wanted to win from the time I first heard about the competition, and it feels good to represent my Local.”

Union officers, representatives, instructors, and signatory contractors from across the U.S. and Canada showed out in support of their apprentices, who represent the next generation of skilled craftworkers.

“The apprentices competing here today are the future of our industry,” said Tim Driscoll, BAC President and IMI/IMTEF Co-Chair. “We have an unparalleled training system that’s the envy of the industry, and it doesn’t exist without great labor-management cooperation.”

BAC’s apprenticeship programs provide a pathway to the middle class, providing good paying, in demand construction jobs, and a debt-free education.

“These apprentices made a great career choice,” said Mike Schmerbeck, President of the International Council of Employers of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers and IMI/IMTEF Co-Chair. “They’ll make a livable wage, get great benefits, and enjoy the pride that comes with working on projects in their communities.”

BAC apprentices earn while they learn, building their skills on the job and increasing their pay scale as they progress through the program. Along the way, they gain access to comprehensive health coverage, a secure pension, and other benefits, like lifelong training. Just as importantly, they work for employers committed to providing safe, respectful, and dignified workplaces.

Past winners of the International Apprentice Contest go on to enjoy long, fulfilling careers with BAC. Many advance into leadership roles, ranging from forepersons to union officers, contractors, and instructors.

“BAC members are the best hands in the business, so for an apprentice to make it to the International Contest means that they’ve really put extra time and effort into building their skills, Everyone here today walked in the door as winners and has a bright future ahead of them,” said Caryn Halifax, IMI/IMTEF President.

Congratulations to the winners of the 2025 BAC/IMI International Apprentice Contest.

Brick

1st: Michael McKee, Local 23 OH, KY, WV, MD

2nd: Ashton Sollars, Local 3 CA

3rd: Nathaniel Noble, ADC 1 IL

Restoration/PCC

1st: John Deslippe, Local 1 PA-DE

2nd: Madelynn Bryant, Wisconsin ADC

3rd: Isaias Beltran, ADC 1 IL

Tile

1st: Mariusz Sarat, ADC 1 of IL

2nd: Neil Hough, ADC 1 of IL