David Fruehauf, a fifth-year apprentice with Orchard Park-headquartered U.A. Plumbers & Steamfitters Local 22 (pictured above), recently won two International U.A. Competition Awards that tested skills and industry knowledge of the trade and honored the "Best of the Best" in a finals competition that took place in Ann Arbor, Michigan.  (Photo courtesy of Plumbers Local 22)

(ORCHARD PARK) - In an International Apprentice Competition that began in Orchard Park and ended in Michigan, U.A. (United Association) Plumbers & Steamfitters Local 22's David Fruehauf bested dozens of competitors from across the United States and Canada to place first in the Mechanical Equipment Service Category - which serves as grand testament, Union officials say, to the top-notch training received by plumber and steamfitter apprentices here in Western New York. 

"Reaching the final round was no easy task for any of these apprentices.  Since all those competing have received the U.A.'s high level of training in five required disciplines," U.A. Training Director Mike Arndt was quoted as saying in one trade magazine that covered the competition.

A fifth-year apprentice, Fruehauf actually won a second competition in addition to the overall competition in his participatory category by also taking first place in the Copper Contest.  "I certainly could have not done this without the training I received," the 28-year-old Fruehauf - a fifth-year apprentice who works for the Tonawanda mechanical contractor D.V. Brown & Associates Inc. - told WNYLaborToday.com.

"It's awesome," Local 22 Business Manager Mike McNally told WNYLaborToday.com of his reaction when first learning Fruehauf has won two segments of the international competition. 

"The competition involved six international districts.  David won New York State and from there won the regional before heading to the nationals, where the best competed from six districts.  It was intense eight-hour days of written and practical exercises.  To win the nationals for such a young kid is huge, and when you compete against the 'best of the best' it says a lot for our training program," McNally said.

This is the second straight year a member from Local 22 had faired extremely well in the International Competition.  Last year, Local 22 member Aaron Ohar, 27, who just graduated from the Union's Apprenticeship Training Program, placed second overall in the finals of the Steamfitters Apprentice portion of the contest, Local 22 officials said.

Pete Marzec, a retired special representative from the U.A.'s International Training Department, is current chairman of the UA Contest Committee.  In a prepared release, Marzec said: "This is a tough competition.  The contestants are challenged each year with the latest in industry technology and they have to meet that challenge.  The judges are all industry people, suppliers and contractors, so they know what they're looking for and once again, they got it."

The United Association of Journeyman and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry of the United States and Canada (UA) recently held their International Apprenticeship Competition and Instructor Training Program (ITP) at Washtenaw Community College in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where the UA's 20th annual Apprentice Competition drew 1,800 of the best craftsmen from the United States and Canada.  The competition finals featured 30 contestants, comprised of six standout apprentices from each of five different disciplines: HVAC, pipe fitting, plumbing, sprinkler fitting and welding.  All advanced past state and regional qualifiers.

A second two-day segment, sponsored by the Copper Development Association (CDA), tested the expertise of all the competing fourth- and -fifth-year apprentices. 

The apprentices initially took part in the U.A.'s annual International Apprentice Competition in the Spring, and winners made their way through the remaining state and regional preliminary levels to reach and compete in the final International Championship phase in Michigan in late August.

Ten individuals, including Fruehauf, took part in the first round of competition that was held at Local 22's Orchard Park training center before moving on.  "The competition was pretty intense and all who competed came out of the competition with a whole new appreciation of the U.A.," Fruehauf said.

To be crowned the winner of each discipline, competitors were given four hours to complete a project that required the completion of nearly 40 copper joints using multiple joining techniques and enough calculations to fill a college curriculum.  Once assembled, their work was put through a compressed air test to make sure their brazing and soldering had no leaks and that their measurements were calculated correctly. 

"I had a good feeling I was in the lead and I couldn't have done it without the training I received from Local 22.  It's tough to predict the problems you encounter out on the job because the system is complex, but when you're trained you know a lot more ahead of time and it makes you a whole lot better.  That's why we're the experts," Fruehauf told WNYLaborToday.com.

The feedback Fruehauf has received from Local 22 and his fellow members has been extremely "positive."  "Now my name is known," he joked.

As a result of winning the competitions, Fruehauf received a $1,000 cash award, as well as a variety of work boots, clothing and tools.  In addition, Local 22 Business Manager McNally tells WNYLaborToday.com Fruehauf also received a diamond "Super Bowl-type" ring that was presented to him by the International.