UA 400 Pipe Trades and the Mechanical Contractors Association (MCA) held its Kick Off Your Future Skills Competition at the UA 400 Training Facility on October 29, 2024. Tech Ed students from 17 local high schools competed to construct their own field goal project using 10 feet of 2-inch carbon pipe and the welding process of their choice. Projects were judged on correct dimensions, weld quality and overall design/accuracy/creativity. The top three winning teams received a plaque and tools from Milwaukee Tools.
- 1st Place – Reedsville High School
- 2nd Place –Appleton East High School
- 3rd Place – Denmark High School
Schools attending the event included Appleton East, Ashwaubenon, Appleton Technical Academy, Bonduel, Clintonville, De Pere, Denmark, Fond du Lac, Fox Valley Lutheran, Freedom, Iola-Scandinavia, Kaukauna, Luxemburg-Casco, Neenah, NEW Lutheran, Reedsville, and Seymour. UA 400 signatory contractors who participated in the event included Ahern, August Winter Sons, AZCO, Roberts Environmental Control, Team Industries Inc., and Tweet/Garot Mechanical.
The keynote speaker at the event was UA 400 4th Year Steamfitter Apprentice Hunter Schrank who works for August Winter and Sons.
“Local 400 sponsors the Kick Off Your Future Competition because it provides high school students with exposure to what Local 400 is,” said UA 400 Business Manager Doug Dokey. “This exposure is important at this point in their lives because they are starting to focus on career exploration. This event gives them the opportunity to see if a career in the pipe trades might be a match for their interests and goals.”
In a random drawing, Freedom High School won a Miller 255 Multimatic Welder.
“Co-sponsoring the Kick Off Your Future Skills Competition with UA Local 400 is essential for the MCA of North Central WI as it directly aligns with promoting workforce development, building trade skills, and supporting the next generation of skilled workers,” said Executive Vice President of the Mechanical Contractors Association Jeff Gaecke. “This partnership demonstrates MCA’s commitment to fostering a skilled workforce, which is crucial for the long-term success and sustainability of the industry.”
For more information on UA 400 apprenticeships in plumbing, welding, steamfitting, fabrication and HVAC visit https://ua400.org/apprenticeship-programs/
About UA 400 Pipe Trades
The UA 400 Pipe Trades, headquartered in Kaukauna, Wisconsin with an office in Fond du Lac, is comprised of approximately 2,600 members serving eighteen counties in Northeast Wisconsin. The organization is affiliated with the United Association of Plumber and Pipefitters with an estimated 380,000 membership throughout the United States and Canada. The group’s mission is to be the preferred choice for industries, employers and workers specializing in plumbing, pipefitting, HVACR service and pipe fabrication as well as training for its members and qualified manpower to their 100+ signatory contractors. The UA 400 takes pride in their partnerships and contributions to serve local communities with organizations such as Cerebral Palsy Telethon, Rebuilding Together, Heat’s On Program, Harbor House and Salvation Army. To keep up with the latest news and to learn more about UA 400, visit http://www.ua400.org follow us on Facebook and YouTube.
