Plumbing & HVAC Apprentice Contests

For plumbing and HVAC apprentices, the Foundation’s national plumbing and HVAC apprentice contests are a chance to shine. These once-a-year events set the top apprentices from across the nation to work on a test of their skills, knowledge and accuracy. Plumbing apprentices must rough-in a bathroom – including the drain, waste and vent lines, a toilet, a sink and shower. HVAC apprentices must demonstrate their knowledge with a written test, plus their hands-on skills with brazing, pressure testing, refrigerant recovery and diagnosing & repairing a package unit system.

The contests take place on the tradeshow floor during PHCC CONNECT, allowing the event attendees to watch the contestants’ progress (and cheer for their hometown favorite).

Besides offering apprentices a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and skills on a national stage, the contests support the Foundation’s mission by helping to generate awareness for local apprenticeship programs, boosting interest in the fields of plumbing and HVAC and attracting new recruits to the industry.

The next National Apprentice Contests will take place during PHCC CONNECT in Cleveland, Ohio from October 24-27, 2023.

2023 HEADLINE SPONSORS

 
 

Becoming a sponsor of our Apprentice Contests is an excellent way to reach the next generation of skilled workers. There are a variety of options available, from prize donations to headline sponsorships.

Download Sponsorship Form

Request Sponsorship Info

Eligibility
The contests are open to 3rd, 4th, and 5th year plumbing and HVAC apprentices. Contestants continue to be eligible if they have completed their program within the current calendar year. If an apprentice sits for their journeyman exam in the summer and gets their license before the contest they are still eligible to compete.

Plumbing apprentices who have previously competed in our contest and placed 1st, 2nd, or 3rd cannot compete again. HVACR apprentices who have previously participated (regardless of where they placed) in our HVACR contest, will not be eligible to compete again. All contestants must be endorsed/certified by a PHCC Local/State Chapter or the United Association.

The National Apprentice Contests will take place during PHCC CONNECT in Cleveland, Ohio from October 24-27, 2023.

Frequently Asked Questions
– Learn how to register a contestant, travel details and more.

Hit the buttons below for downloadable versions of the preliminary schedule for the contestants.
PHCC Plumbing Contest Schedule

PHCC HVACR Contest Schedule

Contestants must attend all required events, beginning with an orientation on Tuesday evening and are permitted to leave at the conclusion of the Awards Luncheon on Friday.

Important Note: Contestants are required to participate in all activities above unless they are listed as optional. Contestants who do not participate in all required activities will not finish among the top three and will be ineligible for the prize packages. In addition, contestants who fail to participate in all required activities may be billed for their expenses by their sponsoring organizations and the PHCC Educational Foundation and will forfeit their sponsorships.

Apprentices must apply in advance to compete and registration may be limited to state-level competition winners.

There is a contestant registration fee, but thanks to our sponsors, verified contestants typically receive substantial assistance in covering travel costs to get to the event, plus prizes and other rewards.

To register an apprentice, please see the form linked below.

2023 Apprentice Contest Registration Form

For PHCC chapters interested in running a plumbing or HVAC apprentice contest, here is some helpful information to get started.

DIY Apprentice Contests Guides

2022 Photos

Thank you to our sponsors and volunteers who made the 2022 contests possible and congratulations to our 2022 competitors!

2022 Plumbing Apprentice Contest Participants

2022 Plumbing Apprentice Contest Participants – Congratulations to the 2022 Winners: 1st – Jake Elsbecker of Midwestern Mechanical in Spencer, IA; 2nd – Scott Hicks, Jr of TDIndustries in Houston,TX; 3rd – Alex Estevez of B Wagner Contractingin Allentown, NJ

2022 Plumbing Apprentice Contest Volunteers and Judges

2022 Plumbing Apprentice Contest Volunteers and Judges

 

2022 HVAC Apprentice Contest Participants

2022 HVAC Apprentice Contest Participants – Congratulations to our winners: 1st – Sebastian Uhde of Magnolia Plumbing, Heating and Cooling in Washington, DC; 2nd – Harrison Bosler of Howe Inc. in Souix Falls, SD; 3rd – Sean Reed of Reddick and Sons in Manassas, VA

 

2022 HVAC Apprentice Contest Volunteers and Judges

2022 HVAC Apprentice Contest Volunteers and Judges