Contest reveals top apprentices

SPECIAL TO CONTRACTOR

CHICAGO — Christopher Platner of Windsor, N.Y., won first place in the 2006 International Plumbing Apprentice Contest, held Sept. 28-29 during the ISH North America trade show here. He is employed by L.N. Piccianno.

In all, 15 participants from 11 states competed in the contest co-sponsored by the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors - National Association. Thom Allen of Fenton, Mo., won second; his employer is Gateway Mechanical. Mathew Nickelson of Movato, Calif., came in third; he works for Gotelli Plumbing.

The other contestants were: Geronimo Echevarria, Florida; James Lambros and Jeremiah Mahoney, both of Illinois; Jeffrey Richardson, Missouri; Bobby McQuillan, Nevada; Ryan Backes, New Jersey; Matt McGhee, North Carolina; Gordon Cordell III, Ohio; Jesus Ambriz and Danny Cameron, both of Texas; and Benjamin Brown and Pablo Perez, both of Virginia.

Contestants were required to install a basic three-piece bathroom: toilet, sink with faucet and shower pan with faucet. The installation included the water and drain waste and vent lines.

Contestants demonstrated their ability to perform jobs or skills selected from a list of competencies, including tools and equipment; roughing in a drainage system; and roughing in a water system.

State Water Heaters provided cash prizes for first ($1,000), second ($750) and third place ($500). The top three finishers also received a variety of power and hand tools from Ridgid, Milwaukee Electric, DeWalt, Rothenberger, Wheeler Rex, Lenox and Irwin. The Copper Development Association donated a tool box. In-Sink-Erator gave a hot water dispenser to the first-place winner and food waste disposers to the second-and third-place finishers.

All contestants received a tool bag from CDA. Included in it were hats, T-shirts, small hand tools, samples of flux, CD cases and a variety of promotional items from contest sponsors.