PHCC Educational Foundation Congratulates 2025 National Plumbing Apprentice Contest Winners
The Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors — National Association Educational Foundation has announced the winners of the national plumbing apprentice contest. The contest was held over three days from Oct. 27-29 in Grand Rapids, Michigan on the tradeshow floor during the PHCC—National Association’s CONNECT 2025 event. A total of 17 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 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 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 South Dakota state convention next February.
