As Associated Builders and Contractors New Hampshire/Vermont (ABC NH/VT) celebrates its 40th anniversary, the organization is doubling down on its core mission. With a legacy rooted in the merit shop philosophy, ABC NH/VT continues to lead the charge for open competition, workforce development, and construction excellence across the region.
Under the leadership of President and CEO Joshua Reap, the chapter is navigating the twin pressures of a historic labor shortage and shifting federal mandates. From launching a new construction academy to expanding registered apprenticeships and leadership programs, ABC NH/VT is proactively shaping the future of construction in New England, one worker, one contractor, and one project at a time.
Founded four decades ago, ABC NH/VT was created to uphold the principles of free enterprise in the construction industry. That core identity remains central to everything the chapter does today. “ABC is founded on the idea of the merit shop philosophy, the belief that people should be hired and promoted based on merit, not labor affiliation,” said Reap. “We help contractors win work and develop people, for the betterment of the communities in which they live and work.”
The chapter now stands as a leading advocate for merit shop contractors across New Hampshire and Vermont, with a full portfolio of training, networking, safety, and leadership development services. Their events routinely sell out, attracting contractors eager to grow their businesses and connect with peers.
As construction becomes increasingly regulated, ABC NH/VT continues to fight for policies that support open competition and ease the path to building. Reap emphasized that regulatory streamlining remains a top priority at the state level. “We’re always working on how New Hampshire state regulations affect permitting and construction,” he explained. “There’s a huge backlog in housing and infrastructure. Streamlining environmental and alteration-of-terrain permits would make a significant impact.”
Another flashpoint is the federal mandate on Project Labor Agreements (PLAs). As of 2025, federally funded projects over $35 million are subject to PLA requirements, which ABC NH/VT argues unfairly disadvantage the majority of local contractors. “Ninety-six percent of the workforce in New Hampshire and Vermont chooses not to belong to a union,” said Reap. “They have great relationships with their employers, many of whom they’ve known since entering the trades. These mandates ignore the reality of how our workforce actually functions.” ABC NH/VT is actively pushing for “fair and open competition” legislation at the state level to counterbalance federal PLA requirements and preserve local contractors’ ability to compete.
If policy is one pillar of ABC NH/VT’s work, workforce development is the other, and it’s where Reap’s passion is most visible. “Ten years ago, we didn’t have enough people coming into the trades. Now it’s a full-blown crisis,” he said. “We pushed college so hard for two generations that there’s a divide between people who work in construction and those considering it as a career.”
To rebuild the pipeline, ABC NH/VT isn’t waiting for government intervention. In early 2025, they launched the Vermont Construction Academy, a privately funded initiative aimed at giving young people hands-on experience in commercial construction. “The first boot camp starts this summer,” said Reap. “Fifteen students from career and technical education centers will come out with the confidence and skills to step onto a $6 million job site. They’ll still be green, of course, but they’ll have a foundation and a clear path forward.” The academy was born from a group of active and retired ABC members who wanted to “bring dignity back to the trades.” As Reap puts it, “We’re here for the long haul, and we want to be dynamic in how we respond to the industry’s needs.”
“Fifteen students from career and technical education centers will come out with the confidence and skills to step onto a $6 million job site. They’ll still be green, of course, but they’ll have a foundation and a clear path forward.”
One of ABC NH/VT’s most urgent challenges is correcting long-standing misperceptions about construction careers, among students, parents, and policymakers alike. “Construction still has this image of being a dirty, low-wage job. That’s just not true,” Reap said. “We’re talking about high-tech, high-wage careers with benefits, HR departments, 401(k)s, and professional development.”
He recalls how vocational programs were once unfairly seen as a fallback option. “When I was in high school, it was like, ‘Don’t go to the tech center, that’s where the troubled kids go.’ That’s a lie. Those are the programs creating lasting careers today.” Changing this perception is key to solving the labor shortage, and ABC NH/VT is taking that message directly to students and parents.
While much of the organization’s focus is on craft training and apprenticeships, ABC NH/VT is equally committed to developing leadership in the industry. Its flagship program, Future Leaders in Construction, is now the top leadership development initiative of its kind in New England. “We had 80 graduates this year,” said Reap. “The program teaches conflict resolution, communication across generations, and leadership fundamentals. At the end, participants complete a capstone project focused on bringing ROI back to their company or improving their personal life.”
The program’s popularity has grown beyond the construction industry, even non-construction fortune 500 companies have expressed interest. “We’re already sold out for one of the three cohorts starting in October, and we haven’t even advertised yet,” Reap noted.
For contractors looking to upskill their teams, ABC NH/VT also provides flexible training solutions, from hands-on masonry and labor training to formal registered apprenticeship programs. “We’re the only ones in both states offering multi-employer sponsored apprenticeship programs for carpentry,” said Reap. “If a contractor doesn’t have the capacity to run their own, they can join ours and get full support.”
True to its mission of excellence, ABC NH/VT maintains a deep commitment to jobsite safety. “We want everyone to go home in the same or better condition than when they arrived,” Reap emphasized. The chapter offers a wide array of safety training, including OSHA courses, first aid, and specialized certifications like EM 385 fall protection and Construction Quality Management. “These programs are prerequisites for work on Department of Defense projects,” Reap explained. “We’re not exclusive providers, but we’re the only ones in the region committed to running them regularly.”
Despite economic uncertainties, ABC NH/VT members remain busy. Reap noted that most contractors report strong backlogs going into late 2025. “There was some concern earlier in the year, but that’s eased,” he said. “Mega projects have been slower to launch, mostly due to interest rates and tariffs. But owners understand that those issues are impacting every aspect of life, not just construction.” Clear communication across the supply chain, from general contractors to owners, remains the key to moving projects forward.
At 40 years strong, ABC NH/VT has become more than an association. It’s a dynamic force driving policy, developing talent, and defending the values of open competition and industry excellence. “We’re not waiting on anyone else,” said Reap. “This is a solutions-based industry, and we’re stepping up.”
Whether it’s through apprenticeships, leadership training, or advocacy for fair competition, ABC NH/VT continues to shape the future of construction in northern New England, one project, one person, and one principle at a time.
