Bricks were flying at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City on Thursday, May 22, 2025, as skilled competitors came together at the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers (IUBAC) North East Regional Apprentice Contest, for a shot to advance to the national tournament. Aspiring masons raced against the clock in this timed competition to build a brick wall as efficiently and accurately as possible.

New Jersey native Aaron Swift, from BAC NJ Local 5, won the Cement Finisher contest and will be advancing to the national contest held in Detroit, Michigan this September. Robert Fugel, an apprentice from BAC NJ Local 4, competed in the stone masonry contest and finished 3rd.

Pictured: Aaron Swift, BAC NJ Local 5 Apprentice

The event brought together the next generation of skilled craftworkers from across the Northeast region. 84 apprentices from as far north as Maine and as far south as Virginia showed off their craft and competed for the chance to advance to the national competition. The competition focused on speed, craftsmanship, and attention to detail, with judges evaluating the wall's quality, levelness, and alignment.

John Capo, Director, Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers Union of NJ (BACNJ) was on site as members of his union competed for the title. “What a great day for the talented young men and women who are training to become journeyworkers. Through our apprenticeship program, BACNJ trains the best hands in the business, always prioritizing the safety and well-being of our apprentices,” he said.

“We are so proud of Aaron for winning the Cement Finisher contest and for Robert’s top finish. It was truly a great event and exciting to watch as all our apprentices stepped up, competed and showed off their skills,” Capo added.

Associated Construction Contractors of New Jersey (ACCNJ) donated $10,000 to sponsor the apprentice competition. "This annual competition is like none other. Watching these young men and women work so quickly and efficiently, against the clock, to construct a brick wall is truly something to see. We are so proud of BACNJ for providing its members a world-class apprenticeship program, giving them the professional training and development needed to compete and become highly skilled craftworkers,” said Jill Schiff, Chief Operating Officer, ACCNJ.