The 20 plumbing and 12 HVAC apprentices participating in the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors—National Association Educational Foundation’s annual Apprentice Contests last month proved that the future of their industry is in good hands.

(More for details on the contest, read Kyle Milnamow's coverage here.)

“We’re really fortunate in that we always have great contestants who demand a lot from themselves,” said Merry Beth Hall, the Foundation’s assistant vice president for workforce development. “This year’s competitors were no exception, and the winners are examples of some of the stellar apprentices who rise to the top under the pressure of competition.” The popular contest was held during PHCC’s CONNECT conference in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Judged by the Foundation’s Apprentice and Journeyman Training Committee, this year’s winners are:

• 1st Place HVAC – Sean Dobbs, UA Local 486 (Maryland), sponsored by Milwaukee Tool.
• 1st Place Plumbing – Daniel Judd, David N. Judd Plumbing (Virginia), sponsored by Viega, LLC.
• 2nd Place HVAC – Marshall Brahm, UA Local 601 (Wisconsin), sponsored by Daikin North America.
• 2nd Place Plumbing – Tony Prins, Domestic Plumbing (Iowa), sponsored by Copper Development Association.
• 3rd Place HVAC – Allen Maslo, UA Local 597 (Illinois), sponsored by Emerson.
• 3rd Place Plumbing – Ryan Johnson, Michael & Son Services (Virginia), sponsored by Zoeller Pump Co.

More than 40 companies supported this year’s HVAC and Plumbing Apprentice Contests at some level, providing sponsorships, materials, judges and prizes. “Our sponsors are the lifeblood of our contests,” says Hall. “Without our sponsors, the contests would not happen … we are always grateful for the tremendous industry support we receive each year.

This year’s sponsors:

Headline Sponsors: A.O. Smith, Bradford White Corp., Copper Development Association, Daikin North America, Delta Faucet Co., Eaton, IPS Corporation, Milwaukee Tool, Oatey, Viega LLC, Zoeller Pump Co.

Contestant Sponsors: AB&I Foundry, BrassCraft Manufacturing Co., Emerson, Kohler, Mechanical Hub Media, NATE, NIBCO Inc., PHCC National Auxiliary, Reed Manufacturing Co., RIDGID, State Water Heaters, Tyler Pipe & Coupling, Uponor.

Materials, Prizes, and Additional Support: AB&I Foundry, Appion Inc., Atomic Plumbing, Bradford White Corp., BrassCraft Manufacturing Co., Cast Iron Soil Pipe Institute, Charlotte Pipe & Foundry, Copper Development Association, Daikin North America, Danfoss, Delta Faucet Co., Eaton, Emerson, Fluke, Gateway Technical College, Greene & Associates Inc., Harris Products Group, Iron Age Footwear, Kohler, Legend Valve, Milwaukee Tool, NATE, PHCC National Auxiliary, PHCC of Wisconsin, TPI USA, Tyler Pipe & Coupling, UA Local 601, Uponor, Viega LLC, Worthington Industries, Zoeller Pump Co.