Local 404 apprentice crowned national champ

Jarrison Moore, with a little help from fellow Local 404 apprentice Austin Shepard, holds his first-place trophy after being named champion at the World of Concrete Operative Plasterers’ and Cement Masons’ International Association Apprenticeship Contest. From left: Local 404 Business Manager Chuck Wanat, Moore, Shepard, Local 404 Apprentice Instructor Waylon Sladick and Local 404 President Paul Metcalf.

After a roughly 20-year hiatus, the World of Concrete Operative Plasterers’ and Cement Masons’ International Association Apprenticeship Competition returned, and Cement Masons Local 404 apprentice Jarrison Moore took home the title. Moore, 23, a fourth-year apprentice from Burbank, topped the 16-apprentice field during the competition, held during World of Concrete 2026 in Las Vegas from Jan. 19-23.

Initially, a student at Baldwin-Wallace College and then at Cleveland State University, Moore struggled with in-person classroom education. He left college and began working for a Local 404 signatory contractor and then joined the Local 404 Registered Apprenticeship Program.

Through the JATC’s partnership with Cuyahoga Community College, he is earning an associate’s degree. Additionally, he is taking online courses through Indiana State University, seeking a bachelor’s degree in construction management.

Initially, Moore was not supposed to be in the field of 16, as he fell one point shy of the top spot in the regional final to fellow 404 apprentice Austin Shepherd.

The two apprentices went to the same high school and were both on the wrestling team. Now, the two friends are not only fourth year apprentices, but they also work for the same signatory contractor. When an apprentice from another O.P.C.M.I.A. Local Union was unable to compete in Las Vegas, Local 404 Apprentice Instructor Waylon Sladick convinced event organizers to select Moore as the replacement.

The two-day contest included forming work on the first day, followed by pouring and finishing curb and gutter, stairs and stamped flatwork with a border on day two. “Once it started, I had to live in the moment and not be overwhelmed with the task at hand, but still think way ahead,” Moore said.

One of the challenges Moore faced was using a different concrete mix, as different aggregates are used in the west. He relied on his training to overcome this challenge and stuck to his game plan. Moore admitted he was anxious as time began to wind down, especially when the first competitor finished.

Once he finished and began to walk around and look at the work of the other apprentices, the feeling of anxiety began to give way to a feeling of confidence. The next day, the winners were announced for both the cement masons and plasterers contests.

Local 404 apprentice Jarrison Moore works on the curb and gutter portion of the World of Concrete OPCMIA Apprenticeship Contest, which was held for the first time in nearly 20 years. Moore took home first place, becoming Local 404’s sixth all-time international champion

“I was terrified as they began to read the names,” Moore said. “Our goal coming in was a first and second place finish for us (himself and Shepherd). When they announced the apprentice from California won second, I thought I had botched it.” Then, his name was called as the winner.

“We put months of work into this contest,” he said. “It was a good payout for all those Sundays at the Union Hall training for the competition.” Moore credited Sladick for helping both apprentices prepare for the event.

Sladick was no stranger to the competition, having represented Local 404 at the last International Apprenticeship Contest in 2005 in Las Vegas. He used his 21 years of experience in the field, plus his recollection of the contest to prepare both apprentices for Las Vegas.

“They both put in a lot of extra time practicing,” said Sladick. “They came in during the week after work to build forms and then on Saturday or Sunday to pour and finish. Both put in the time and effort. I gave them all the insight I had and presented them with every scenario possible.” Throughout the training, he stressed the importance of precision and accuracy.“ Attention to detail will get you points. Keep it clean, check for flatness. No gaps and holes,” Sladick added.

He described Moore’s work at the World of Concrete competition as perfect. “It looked like it was precast,” said Sladick. “Jarrison is one of the most hardworking people I have been around. He was even taking a college test while we were out there.”

After the announcement, Moore called his fiancée to tell her the news. The couple have been together for four years and got engaged in October. Moore described his fiancée as his rock throughout his training.

While she is in Virginia finishing up graduate school, Moore said he would frequently call her to talk about various topics including his training and his one-point loss in the regional competition. “She kept telling me to stop beating myself up (for making mistakes),” he said.

In addition to winning a trophy, Moore received a bag of tools and a cash prize. Moore and Shepard were not the only Local 404 apprentices to show off their talent at World of Concrete.

Second-year apprentice Shyanne Cooper was selected to represent the Local in the Steel Edge Women’s Event, which showcased the skillset of up-and-coming female apprentices. No winners were chosen, however.

A six-year U.S. Army Veteran, Cooper showcased her skills and gained important exposure to theevent and environment. “She is one of the best females I have ever worked with,” said Sladick.

Should the World of Concrete O.P.C.M.I.A. Apprenticeship Competition be held in either 2027 or 2028, Sladick believes Cooper has the talent to represent Local 404 and potentially win the Local another championship.