Four apprentices from Plumber and Fitters Local 290 competed in the 2017 District 5 Regional Apprentice Contest June 21-22 in Concord, California. Contestants hailed from Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, Washington and Oregon. The contest was held at the United Association of Plumbers and Fitters Local 342 Training Center.
Local 290 apprentices Pavel Kovalenko (welder) and Michael Kitt (steamfitter) both finished second in their respective disciplines. Each received tools and other prizes. Kevin Kuborn (plumber) and Victor Nash (HVAC/R) also competed, but did not place.
The four apprentices qualified for the regional competition after winning contests held at Local 290’s training center in Tualatin in late April. Sixty-five apprentices took part in that competition.
Competition is held in four disciplines — plumbing, steamfitting/pipefitting/sprinkler fitting, welding, and heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration. The apprentices used their tools to complete projects from blueprints. Competition is timed, and judged for quality.
Winners advanced to the national contest held Aug. 15-17 in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
