Arkansas Association of Builders and Contractors

What Arkansas Association of Builders and Contractors does

The Arkansas Association of Builders and Contractors (ABC Arkansas) is a nonprofit trade association and the Arkansas chapter of the national Associated Builders and Contractors organization, founded nationally in 1950 and operating in Arkansas since 1975. The chapter serves the commercial and industrial construction industry across Arkansas, with a membership base of general contractors, subcontractors, specialty trade firms (electrical, plumbing, HVAC, carpentry), and supplier/associate companies. ABC Arkansas advances the "merit shop" philosophy - awarding construction contracts on the basis of qualifications rather than labor affiliation - and provides members with advocacy, networking, training, and business development resources.

ABC Arkansas's primary educational product is the Arkansas Construction Trades Academy (ACTA), which delivers DOL-registered apprenticeship programs in Electrical and Plumbing trades using NCCER curriculum. Programs are run at multiple Arkansas locations: North Little Rock serves as the main training site, with pre-apprenticeship and Skilled Trades Pathway programs additionally operating in Maumelle, Fort Smith, and Springdale. The chapter also operates Pre-Apprenticeship ($100 enrollment) and Youth Apprenticeship programs for ages 16-17, an Online Safety Training offering through a partnership with the American Safety Council covering OSHA 10/30, HAZWOPER, and EM-385-1-1, plus Drug & Alcohol Free Workplace resources and COVID-19 workplace toolkits. Government affairs services include state and federal legislative advocacy and representation via ABC National's PAC and the Free Enterprise Alliance.

Revenue is generated through five streams: annual membership dues from construction firms (subscription/recurring), apprenticeship tuition ($450 per student for ABC members, $550 for non-members, per semester), pre-apprenticeship enrollment fees ($100 one-time), event registrations (State Convention & Excellence in Construction Awards and similar), and a revenue share from online safety training courses. Go-to-market is direct-to-consumer via the abcark.org website, a weekly Newsline email newsletter, Facebook and Twitter channels, in-person chapter events, and youth/student community outreach programs. No external investment, private equity, or public ownership structures are present; the chapter is affiliated with but organizationally distinct from ABC National.

Name

Arkansas Association of Builders and Contractors

Legal name

Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc. - Arkansas Chapter

Website

https://abcark.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1975

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

ABC Arkansas is a nonprofit trade association and Arkansas chapter of the national Associated Builders and Contractors, serving commercial construction firms since 1975 with merit shop advocacy, DOL-registered apprenticeship training (ACTA), safety education, and member business resources across multiple Arkansas locations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Construction Trade Association Services

NAICS

Apprenticeship Training (611513), Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Apprenticeships, Internships & Work-Based Learning Programs (BPACANAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

General Occupational Safety & OSHA Compliance (EDABAEAA), Skilled Trades, Safety & Compliance Certification Prep (OSHA, HAZMAT, welding, electrical, HVAC) (EDANAIAM), Occupational Safety, OSHA & Workplace Compliance Training (EDAOAMAK), Incumbent Worker Training & Upskilling (EDAAAOAE)

Keywords

• Construction trade association
• Apprenticeship training programs
• Workforce development services
• Safety training courses
• Government advocacy services

Headquarters

HQ city

North Little Rock

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees from construction industry firms including general contractors, subcontractors, associates and suppliers. Membership provides access to member discount programs, business resources, and networking opportunities.
2. Apprenticeship Tuition: Tuition-based revenue from electrical and plumbing apprenticeship programs. ABC Members pay $450 per student; Non-ABC Members pay $550 per student. Includes use of books.
3. Pre-Apprenticeship Enrollment: $100 enrollment fee for the Construction Trades Pre-Apprenticeship Program targeting individuals 17+ interested in construction careers.
4. Event Registrations: Revenue from State Convention & Excellence in Construction Awards and other chapter events and conferences.
5. Safety Training: Online OSHA training courses and safety training programs offered through partnership with American Safety Council, with percentage of fees supporting the ABC Chapter.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

ABC Arkansas is a membership-based construction industry trade association offering annual memberships to contractors and suppliers, DOL-registered apprenticeship training in electrical and plumbing trades through the Arkansas Construction Trades Academy (ACTA), pre-apprenticeship and youth apprenticeship workforce development programs, online OSHA-authorized safety training, and government advocacy on merit shop construction policy. The organization represents all specialties within the commercial construction industry in Arkansas.

Product overview

The Arkansas Chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors is a trade association serving the commercial construction industry since 1975. Rather than a unified software platform, the organization offers a portfolio of programs and services including the Arkansas Construction Trades Academy (ACTA) for registered apprenticeship training in electrical and plumbing trades, Pre-Apprenticeship and Youth Apprenticeship Programs for workforce development, Online Safety Training partnerships for OSHA compliance, Drug & Alcohol Free Workplace certification resources, COVID-19 workplace resources, Government Affairs advocacy services, and Business Resources including member discount programs. The ACTA apprenticeship program is the primary educational product, combining DOL-registered classroom instruction with on-the-job training across multiple Arkansas locations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Arkansas Construction Trades Academy (ACTA): The official school affiliated with Associated Builders & Contractors of Arkansas. Provides formal apprenticeship training program for Electrical and Plumbing trades registered with the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Apprenticeship (OA). Builds minds, skills, and futures through workforce development.

Products and services

• ABC Membership Program Trade association membership available to general contractors, subcontractors, associates, and suppliers in the commercial construction industry. Members receive access to networking, education, advocacy, government affairs representation, member discount programs, business resources, and professional development.
• Arkansas Construction Trades Academy (ACTA) Apprenticeship Training Formal DOL-registered apprenticeship training program for Electrical and Plumbing trades, combining work and academics over multiple semesters to prepare participants for journeyperson consideration. ABC Members pay $450/student; Non-Members pay $550/student, including use of books. Classes held at North Little Rock, with daytime (Institute) and evening (traditional) options.
• Pre-Apprenticeship Program A structured, hands-on training program introducing participants to the construction industry using the NCCER Core curriculum plus introductions to Electrical, Plumbing, HVAC, and Carpentry trades. $100 enrollment fee; available to individuals 17+ with valid U.S. Driver's License. Locations include Maumelle (Skilled Trades Pathway), Fort Smith (Plumbing), and Springdale (Plumbing).
• Youth Apprenticeship Program Apprenticeship program allowing employers to hire 16-17-year-olds in the electrical trade with early enrollment in DOL-registered electrical apprenticeship classes. Designed for youth career pathways into the construction trades.
• Online Safety Training OSHA-authorized outreach training offered 100% online in partnership with American Safety Council (with USF OTIEC as OSHA Training Institute Education Center). Courses include OSHA 10-Hour and 30-Hour Training, HAZWOPER, and EM-385-1-1 Training. A percentage of course fees supports the ABC Arkansas chapter.

Named customers4 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• NCCER (National Center for Construction Education & Research)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNCCER provides industry-recognized curriculum for ABC Arkansas's apprenticeship training programs. All instructors at open-enrollment locations use NCCER curriculum and must complete NCCER Instructor Certification Course. NCCER sets the standard for trade-specific curriculum in the construction industry.
• U.S. Department of Labor, Office of ApprenticeshipcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerACTA apprenticeship programs are registered with the DOL Office of Apprenticeship, meeting all federal and state requirements for formal classroom instruction. Graduates receive BAT certificates and journey-level recognition.
• ABC NationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Arkansas Chapter is part of ABC National, which has 67 chapters and 24,000+ members. National provides member discount programs, insurance trust, workforce development resources, and political advocacy.
• Arkansas State LegislatureminorOthersGovernment agency contact for state legislative matters affecting the construction industry.
• Arkansas Department of LaborminorOthersGovernment agency providing labor regulation information and resources.
• Arkansas Contractors Licensing BoardminorOthersState board regulating contractor licensing in Arkansas.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association (PHCC): PHCC is the national trade association for plumbing and HVAC contractors, offering apprenticeship training, technical education, and advocacy. It competes with ABC Arkansas's Plumbing apprenticeship program for trainees and contractor members.
• Associated General Contractors of Arkansas: The Arkansas chapter of AGC is the most direct in-state competitor to ABC Arkansas, representing many of the same general contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers with a union-affiliated orientation. The two organizations compete head-to-head for members, training enrollees, and influence with the state legislature.
• Associated General Contractors of America (AGC): AGC is the principal competing U.S. construction industry trade association, operating on a union-friendly model versus ABC's merit shop philosophy. Like ABC Arkansas, AGC represents general contractors and specialty trade firms and delivers workforce development, safety training, and government advocacy services.
• Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC): IEC is a national merit shop trade association for electrical contractors that runs DOL-registered apprenticeship programs using a similar model to ACTA. It directly competes with ABC Arkansas for electrical apprenticeship students, member electrical contractors, and OSHA/safety training revenue in overlapping geographies.

Broad incumbents

• National Association of Home Builders (NAHB): NAHB is a national construction trade association primarily serving residential builders, with chapters in most states. While ABC Arkansas focuses on commercial and industrial contractors, NAHB operates a similar chapter-based membership, training, and advocacy model that competes for the same general contractor member base.
• Associated Builders and Contractors (National): ABC National is the parent trade association of which Arkansas is a chapter. It provides national-level advocacy, member discount programs, insurance trust, and curriculum standards that flow down to the Arkansas chapter, making it both parent and benchmark peer.

Others

• National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER): NCCER is the curriculum and credentialing body whose standardized craft training material is adopted by ABC Arkansas. While not a competitor, NCCER is a structural peer ecosystem participant whose curriculum choices, certifications, and instructor standards directly shape ACTA's program economics.
• SkillsUSA: SkillsUSA is a national nonprofit serving middle school, high school, and college students preparing for careers in skilled trades, including construction. It is an adjacent workforce development peer that helps build the pipeline of pre-apprenticeship candidates that ACTA's training programs ultimately enroll.
• Build My Future: Build My Future is an Arkansas construction workforce development initiative promoted by ABC Arkansas that exposes high school students to trade careers. As an adjacent workforce development peer, it reflects ABC's broader community-facing workforce development role alongside its paid apprenticeship programs.

Regional players

• Associated Builders and Contractors of Texas: The Texas chapter of ABC is a larger, neighboring merit shop construction trade association with a similar chapter model, apprenticeship program structure, and member services portfolio. It is a useful regional benchmark for chapter scale, program depth, and operating best practices.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/abcarkansas
• Facebookfacebook.com/abcarkansas

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Arkansas Association of Builders and Contractors