On behalf of the State of Ohio, State Senator Randy Gardner (R-2nd) celebrated the amazing accomplishments of three Piping Industry apprentices who each took a first place honor – in different categories – at this year’s Ohio State Pipe Trades Apprenticeship Contest.
Senator Gardner presented proclamations to the three members of the United Association of Plumbers, Steamfitters and Service Mechanics Local 50 during a ceremony on Sept. 16.
The 2014 Ohio Pipe Trades Apprentice Contest was held in Cincinnati from April 22-24. At the conclusion of the competition these three Piping Industry apprentices came away with top honors:
- Chad Beebe, 1st Place in HVAC.
- James Kingery III, 1st Place in Pipefitting.
- Tom Shinew, 1st Place in Welding.
The three first place winners are the latest in a long line of Piping Industry apprentices to take top honors at annual skills competitions. Since 2007, the Piping Industry of Northwest Ohio has produced 11 State Champions, five of whom went on to become Regional Champions. And four of those five have gone “all the way” to become National Champions.
That commitment to becoming the most highly skilled in their respective trade is common among all members of the Piping Industry of Northwest Ohio – from first-year apprentices to long time Journeymen who take upgrade courses every year. The learning never stops.