Merit is the Majority of Wisconsin’s Construction Workforce

By Kelly Tourdot, President, ABC of Wisconsin

The growth of the merit shop movement continues in Wisconsin. Need evidence?
Take a look at these numbers:

• More than 2,500 apprentices are training in Associated Builders and Contractors’ (ABC) apprenticeship program, a record enrollment.
• Almost half of Wisconsin’s electrical apprentices are training with ABC this year.
• 80% of Wisconsin’s construction workforce is choosing to work in a merit shop.**
• More than 1,000 member companies joined ABC for 2025.

But what defines the merit shop?

Merit shops operate with the conviction that workers should be rewarded on the merits of their work. Additionally, merit shops believe open competition provides the best opportunity for projects to be built safely, with excellence and at the best price.

Employees and apprentices understand the benefits of up-skilling themselves, cross-training on different parts of a construction job, and negotiating directly with their manager or owner. Several of our past apprentices demonstrate its benefits with their own success:

• Cole McCloskey, CEO of The Electrician in Dane County, began as an ABC apprentice. In less than a decade, he has risen to ownership and is training the next generation of electrical apprentices. He recently gave an inspiring keynote address at our apprenticeship graduation banquet.
• Jessica Cannizzaro, Owner of Milestone Plumbing, began as an ABC apprentice. She, too, has built a successful business in the Milwaukee area, employing journeymen and apprentices, while also serving as a past chair of ABC of Wisconsin. She has been featured nationally for her business acumen.
• HEO instructor Norris Gammeter started as an ABC apprentice. Today, he works as a Supervisor at CCI in Beloit and also trains the next generation of Heavy Equipment Operators at ABC.
• Charlie Vine earned the Apprentice of the Year award while training in ABC’s carpentry apprenticeship. He has built a successful career, leading him to work as Director of Special Services at WDS Construction in Beaver Dam.

The merit shop approach is unique, as it permits employees to move into management, without losing their benefits or negotiating power. Apprentices can communicate with management directly and work together to build a healthy work culture. We celebrate the success of our members and their approach. The growth of the merit shop speaks for itself.

*Wisconsin’s Bureau of Apprenticeship Standards State Committee Report: 47% of current electrical apprentices train with ABC of Wisconsin
**According to unionstats.com, 80% of Wisconsin’s workforce chooses merit shops over union affiliation.