2019 WI Pipe Trades Apprentice Contest

MADISON, WI – Apprentices from across the state will compete in the 2019 Wisconsin Pipe Trades Apprentice Contest at Steamfitters Local 601 Training School in Madison on March 27-28, 2019, MSC/MAPC Executive Director Julie Walsh announced on Monday.

Union Steamfitter and Plumbing apprentices from throughout Wisconsin will compete over two days with a written portion on Wednesday, March 27, and a practical, hands-on competition on Thursday, March 28. The event will feature five categories of competition: Welding, Steamfitting, HVAC Service, Plumbing, and Sprinkler Fitting. The winners in each category will go on to compete in the 4th District Apprentice Contest in St. Paul, Minnesota June 10-12, 2019.

“Through our statewide network of union training centers, the WI Pipe Trades Association develops the highest skilled and most productive workforce in the industry for our signatory contractors,” said Terry Hayden, President of the Wisconsin Pipe Trades Association. “Each year, we showcase our training through an annual apprentice contest, where the best apprentices from across the state compete for the honor of representing Wisconsin at the District 4 contest and possibly the International level.”

Each Local throughout the state is sending one member per category to compete in the statewide competition which will feature the best of the best from Wisconsin testing their skills.

Competing for the UA Plumbers Local 75 is Braxton Miller, a fifth year apprentice with Hooper Corporation. Miller, a resident of Reeseville, Wisconsin, will be participating in the plumbing contest.

“I am thrilled at the opportunity to represent Plumbers Local 75 and Hooper Corporation at this year’s state apprentice contest, and hopefully at the district level and beyond,” Miller said. “I was so close to making it last year, and to be able to see my hard work pay off, it’s a true honor.”

Representing the UA Steamfitters Local 601 is Scott Graper, Justin Lindberg, and Paul Wagner., Graper, a fifth year apprentice with 1901, Inc. and resident of Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, will be participating in the welding contest. Lindberg, a fifth year apprentice with JM Brennen, will compete in the steamfitting contest. Wagner, a fifth year apprentice with Dillett Mechanical, will represent in the HVAC contest.

“I feel that it is a great honor to be representing Steamfitters Local 601 and 1901, Inc. in this contest,” said Graper. “They have had a big part in getting me to this competition and for my success in the industry. I look forward to representing them, and my fellow apprentices.”

For more information on MSC/MAPC, and the 2019 Wisconsin Pipe Trades Apprentice Contest, please contact Julie Walsh, Executive Director at 608-288-1414 or julie.walsh@mechanicalindustries.org.

###