FALLS CHURCH, VA — Quality training is essential to the success of the industry, according to a Union-Affiliated Contractors (UAC) representative during the recent North American Pipe Trades (NAPT) conference held in Hollywood, FL.

“I don’t have to convince anyone in attendance that the United Association’s apprentice and journey worker training programs are second to none,” said UAC chair Buddy Parkes during opening remarks at the conference. “The UAC is working in parallel to the UA’s recruiting activities to make everyone aware of the opportunity available to become a UA-trained technician in the plumbing and mechanical fields. We have to find and encourage people to come into our respective trades.”

Local union officers and training representatives from the United States and Canada participated in the NAPT Conference to discuss further development of the mechanical piping industry apprenticeship and journey worker training programs. The conference was sponsored by the International Pipe Trades Joint Training Committee and International Training Fund.