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A group of apprentices gathered in a Northeast Portland parking lot last week to showcase their skills in a competition yielding two winners for berths in a national championship event. Associated Builders and Contractors‘ Pacific Northwest chapter hosted the third annual event, which included competitions for third- and fourth-year apprentices in both the sheet metal and HVAC trades.

The sheet metal competition featured five apprentices, whose scope of work included fabricating six different pieces of duct work from flat material, then assembling and hanging them from a steel rack. A Pittsburgh machine, hand brake and roller were provided for the competitors, who were judged by journeymen on the quality of their work, safety, PPE/tool use and housekeeping.

Six entrants competed in teams of two in the HVAC portion, running gas lines, installing thermostats and thermostat wires, assembling sheet metal for air filters, and brazing and flaring. By the conclusion of the competition, the teams were to each have installed a functioning heating and cooling system. Judges watched the competitors closely and selected an individual winner based not only on skill, but also on camaraderie and contribution to the team effort.

Dustin Wynter of American Heating Inc., was selected as the winner in the sheet metal competition, and Salem Fabio of Protemp Associates Inc., won the HVAC competition. They are scheduled to travel to Long Beach, California next spring to participate in the national competition.