The Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors — National Association’s (PHCC) Educational Foundation is proud to announce the winners of the national plumbing and HVAC apprentice contests. The contests were held Oct. 25-26 in Cleveland, Ohio on the tradeshow floor during the PHCC — National Association’s CONNECT 2023 event. A total of 21 plumbing and 11 HVAC apprentices from across the nation took part in the contests.

Plumbing Apprentice Contest Winners

• First Place: Cody McDonald of Van Contracting, Inc. in Columbia City, Indiana He was sponsored by the International Code Council; 
• Second place: Nick Vasknetz of Local 525 in Las Vegas, Nevada. He was sponsored by Home Depot Pro; and
• Third Place: Joseph Hardin of Local 333 in Lansing, Michigan. He was sponsored by Bradford White.

HVAC Apprentice Contest Winners

• First place: Jacob Lee of P1 Service in Lenexa, Kansas. He was sponsored by RIDGID;
• Second place: AJ Posivak of Deluxe Plumbing & Heating in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. He was sponsored by Milwaukee Tool; and
• Third place: Raulie Rojas of Midwestern Mechanical in Rapid City, South Dakota. He was sponsored by RIDGID.

The plumbing apprentices were required rough-in a bathroom system. The set-up includes a toilet, sink and shower, complete with supply, waste and vent lines, plus cleanouts and extra features designed to test the contestants’ knowledge and skills. The test set-up includes a variety of pipe materials – cast iron, copper and PVC and corresponding joining methods.

The HVAC competitors were required to complete a written test, demonstrate proper brazing techniques and perform a hands-on diagnostic on an HVAC package unit, with system errors created by the Foundation’s contractor volunteers for the competition. The competitors also had to perform a pressure and leak test, demonstrate proper refrigerant recovery procedures and the ability to accurately take a variety of instrument readings.

A dedicated team of contractor volunteers arrived two days before the competitions to assemble the competitor test benches, distribute the materials and supplies and set up the testing areas. They monitor the competitions, evaluate the apprentices’ work and provide constructive feedback on each competitor’s performance following the event.

The contests are made possible by the generous support of several industry sponsors who provide monetary support and in-kind material and tool donations. Sponsors for the 2023 competitions include, with headline sponsors appearing in bold: AB&I Foundry; A.O. Smith; Bradford White Corp.; BNP-Plumbing & Mechanical Magazine; Cast Iron Soil Pipe Institute; Contractor Magazine; Copper Development Association; Delta Faucet Co.; Emerson Copeland; Home Depot Pro; Hudson Technologies; International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO); the International Code Council, Kohler Company; Legend Valve; Milwaukee Tool; Moen; North American Technician Excellence (NATE); NIBCO; Oatey; PHCC Academy; PHCC-National Auxiliary, Rheem HVAC and Water Htg. Division; RIDGID; Sharkbite; Sioux Chief Manufacturing Co.; State Water Heaters; Tyler Pipe & Coupling; and Zoeller Pump Co.

“I am proud of the Foundation volunteers and staff who pull these contests together,” said Foundation Chair Kevin Tindall. “These are complicated events between getting the apprentices here and then having all the materials, tools, equipment, volunteers and judges ready to go – and all in a different city each year. It is amazing to see it all come together to create a great experience for the apprentices who are competing.”