The Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors — National Association (PHCC) Educational Foundation announced the winners of the national plumbing apprentice contest. The contest was held over three days - October 27th to 29th in Grand Rapids, Mich. on the tradeshow floor during the PHCC—National Association’s CONNECT 2025 event. A total of seventeen plumbing apprentices from across the nation took part. 

Plumbing Apprentice Contest Winners

• First Place: Josh Vogt of Bombard Mechanical in Las Vegas, Nevada. He was sponsored by A.O. Smith.
• Second place: Cody Green of Midwestern Mechanical in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He was sponsored by Moen.
• Third Place: Daniel Pritchett of Reichelt Plumbing in Schererville, Indiana. He was sponsored by the Copper Development Association

The plumbing apprentices were required to 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.

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

The contest was made possible by the generous support of several industry sponsors who provide monetary support and in-kind material and tool donations. Sponsors for the 2025 competition 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.; Home Depot Pro; International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO); the International Code Council, Kohler Company; Legend Valve; Milwaukee Tool Company; Moen; NIBCO INC.; Oatey; Rheem HVAC and Water Htg. Division; RIDGID; State Water Heaters; Tyler Pipe & Coupling; and Zoeller Pump Company. 

“What makes this contest so special is the community behind it,” said Foundation Chair Patrick Wallner. “Our contractor volunteers, manufacturers, suppliers, and educators are all working together to make sure these apprentices have a platform to show off their talents. That collaboration reflects exactly what we need to build the next generation of skilled professionals.”

The Foundation’s National HVAC Apprentice Contest, typically also held during PHCC CONNECT, is being updated to create a competition addressing the skills apprentices need today, plus the technology they can expect to work with in the future. Contractors from the PHCC of South Dakota chapter are leading that effort, and the newly updated HVAC contest will run at the S.D. state convention next February.