The Craft Championships Elevating Southern California’s Skilled Trades

If you’ve ever wondered what skilled trades look like when passion, precision, and real-world problem-solving come together, you’re in for a treat. Every January, Southern California becomes a showcase for the next generation of craft professionals at the Annual Live Craft Championships — a vibrant event where apprentices and trainees put their training to the test in front of industry leaders, contractors, and supporters. This isn’t just a contest — it’s a celebration of possibility for anyone thinking about a career in the trades or considering a career change into something hands-on and high-impact.

Here’s a brief overview of why this event matters and the practical takeaways for future tradespeople like you.

What the Live Craft Championships Are All About

For over three decades, the Associated Builders and Contractors Southern California Chapter (ABC SoCal) has hosted the Craft Championships — a live competition that highlights skilled trades talent across multiple disciplines.

At its core, the competition:

• Brings apprentices and trainees together to demonstrate real trade skills in a live environment.

• Covers multiple trades, including electrical, plumbing, low voltage systems, and sheet metal.

• Shows off training excellence and safe work practices that are critical on any jobsite.

• Connects learners with industry professionals, vendors, and potential employers — great networking for the future workforce.

It’s open to the public, free to attend, and designed to highlight how rewarding a career in the trades can be.

WHAT: 32nd Annual Craft Championships Competition

WHO: Apprentices, trainees, contractors, industry vendors, local dignitaries

WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, 7 a.m. – Noon

WHERE: 1400 N. Kellogg Drive, Anaheim, CA, 92807

A Day of Practical Demonstrations and Friendly Competition

Instead of dry lectures or classroom drills, the Championships put the spotlight on real-world trade performance. That means competitors roll up their sleeves and:

1. Tackle timed, task-based challenges relevant to their trade.

2. Work side-by-side with peers — fostering teamwork and friendly rivalry.

3. Demo problem-solving under pressure, just like on the jobsite.

This live format gives spectators a feel for what trade work is actually like — not just what it looks like on paper. Seeing someone expertly run wire in an electrical challenge or fit complex plumbing systems in real time can be both exhilarating and eye-opening for anyone considering entering the field.

Why Events Like This Matter for the Future Workforce

There’s a national conversation about building the workforce of tomorrow, especially in the trades. The Championships do more than recognize individual achievement — they help address real industry needs:

• Highlighting the demand for skilled workers. With industries hungry for trained talent, events like this show that there’s real opportunity waiting.

• Providing a platform for recruitment — contractors and employers often see competitors in action and may reach out.

• Reducing barriers to entry. Many apprentices are saving thousands on student debt by heading straight into trade training rather than traditional college routes.

• Celebrating trade excellence publicly, which helps shift perceptions about careers in construction, electrical, plumbing, and related fields.

Plus, winners get the chance to represent Southern California at the National Craft Championships in Salt Lake City held in March, where the stakes — and the spotlight — get even brighter.

Real Skills That Pay Real Dividends

If you’re mulling a move into the trades, here are some practical skills and habits you’ll see and develop through events like the Live Craft Championships:

• Attention to detail: Precision matters on every project.

• Safety first mindset: Trades aren’t just about getting the job done — it’s about getting it done safely.

• Time management: Competitions are timed, just like real jobsite scenarios.

• Technical knowledge matched with hands-on execution: What you know has to play well with what you do.

Not only that, but watching peers perform these tasks live helps you more accurately evaluate what you want to pursue — and what training, tools, or certifications you might need next.

Inspiration for Students and Career Changers

Whether you’re fresh out of high school, weighing trade school options, or considering a career pivot, the Championships offer practical insights into what a future in the trades can look like. You’ll walk away with:

• A sense of how trade skills translate to career opportunities

• Ideas for apprenticeship programs to explore

• Motivation from seeing real people succeed in fields you might pursue

• A clearer picture of how competition and community intersect in the trades

This is not an elite, hard-to-reach experience — it’s a community event designed to educate, celebrate, and connect.

The Big Picture: Trades as a Career Path

Events like the Live Craft Championships remind us that skilled trades are essential, respected, and evolving. They’re not fallback careers; they’re front-line roles that keep our cities running, our infrastructure strong, and our communities safe. As technology and construction methods advance, the need for competent, confident tradespeople only grows. If you’re drawn to hands-on work, enjoy problem-solving, and like seeing tangible results from your effort — the trades might be where you shine.

Your Next Step

There’s no better way to explore a trade than seeing it in action — and the Live Craft Championships offer just that. Mark your calendar, bring your curiosity, and witness firsthand the passion and skill that make the trades an exciting career choice. Whether you’re still exploring options or already enrolled in training, this event is an opportunity to learn, connect, and get inspired on your journey into the world of skilled trades.

If you’d like resources on how to begin apprenticeship training or what programs to consider, check out our resources such as our trade school directory — we’re here to help you build your future!