“See one, do one, teach one” is often used in medical training to describe how learning happens—the idea being that a medical student watches a procedure get performed, later becomes an intern or resident who performs the procedure and finally teaches the procedure as a physician. ABC’s Construction Workforce Awards (CWAs) are based on a similar educational cycle, honoring construction professionals as they experience, practice and teach the trades:

Young Professional of the Year—Presented to an individual under the age of 40 who is dedicated to the merit shop and is a natural leader and top performer in their field based on career achievement, leadership and vision for the future of the commercial and industrial construction industry.

Craft Professional of the Year—Presented to a construction craft professional who excels in their field, demonstrates a passion for the trade, exhibits outstanding leadership qualities and demonstrates a commitment to safety, education and the merit shop philosophy.

Craft Instructor of the Year—Presented to an instructor who possesses outstanding creativity, a positive attitude and the ability to transfer knowledge through communications skills and innovative teaching to promote lifelong learning to the future construction workforce.

Sponsored by NCCER and Tradesmen International (Craft Professional and Craft Instructor) and Autodesk Construction Cloud (Young Professional), the 2022 CWAs were presented at ABC Convention in San Antonio this past March. CE took the opportunity to sit down with all three recipients to talk about their careers in construction, including how they got into the industry, why they stayed—and where they think it’s headed.

Read these award winners' full profiles:

Luke Perry, Young Professional of the Year

Adam Haywood, Craft Professional of the Year

Larry Harris, Craft Instructor of the Year