UA Local Union 393 Plumber Apprentice John Pettigrew is the best in the West! 

In May, John won first place in the California Pipe Trades State Contest against 18 other plumber apprentices representing UA Locals from across the state. The California event is the biggest in the UA, and includes more Locals participating than any other UA apprentice contest.

With his first place prize, John moved on to represent California in the UA District 5 Regional Contest in June and once again was the winner! The projects were similar to the ones at the California-wide contest, but larger and more difficult and included a written exam, ISO drawing, cast iron DWV layout and installation project, copper piping project, and threaded pipe project. Competing against seven other plumber apprentices from 11 western states, John again took first place overall and represented UA District 5 at the International Apprentice Contest in Ann Arbor, Mich., in August.

While he did not win the international competition, John performed well, receiving high praise from the judges and proctors for his accuracy and quality of work. The proctors were particularly impressed with John’s efforts on his major piping project, divulging that he had the best score of any competitor.

John is currently in his third year of apprenticeship and will start his fourth year at the end of August. His incredible performance is not a surprise given his 3.7 GPA and outstanding job performance evaluations.