ANN ARBOR, Mich. — The International Apprenticeship Competition, a battle between some of the most-highly skilled craftsmen in their trade, was held recently. For six days in August, 1,377 of North America’s plumbers, welders, pipefitters, and service technicians convened at Washtenaw Community College to showcase their talents and hone their skills during the Instructor Training Program (ITP). The United Association of Journeyman and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry of the United States and Canada (UA) has been organizing this annual event since 1954.

The apprenticeship competition included 30 contestants from the six regions (five from the United States and one from Canada) who were chosen to compete for national bragging rights and industry recognition. The apprentices specialize in five different disciplines: HVAC, pipe fitting, plumbing, sprinkler fitting, and welding, and are tested on their ability to successfully apply multiple joining techniques to a complex copper assembly.

As in years past, the Copper Development Association (CDA) sponsored the copper segment of the competition. Competitors were tasked with completing a timed project that tested their knowledge of copper joining applications. CDA staff not only designed and judged the competition, but they also provided the copper materials and equipment that were used.