PHCC Educational Foundation Awards 2023 National Apprentice Contest Winners

The HVAC competitors were required to complete a written test, demonstrate proper brazing techniques and perform a hands-on diagnostic on an HVAC package unit.
Nov. 10, 2023
3 min read
PHCC-National Association
PHCC Plumbing Apprentice winners. From right: First Place: Cody McDonald of Van Contracting, Inc. in Columbia City, Indiana, sponsored by the International Code Council. Second place: Nick Vasknetz of Local 525 in Las Vegas, Nevada, sponsored by Home Depot Pro; and Joseph Hardin of Local 333 in Lansing, Michigan, sponsored by Bradford White.
PHCC Plumbing Apprentice winners. From right: First Place: Cody McDonald of Van Contracting, Inc. in Columbia City, Indiana, sponsored by the International Code Council. Second place: Nick Vasknetz of Local 525 in Las Vegas, Nevada, sponsored by Home Depot Pro; and Joseph Hardin of Local 333 in Lansing, Michigan, sponsored by Bradford White.

FALLS CHURCH, Va. (November 7, 2023) – The Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors — National Association’s (PHCC) Educational Foundation is proud to announce the winners of the national plumbing and HVAC apprentice contests. The contests were held October 25th & 26th in Cleveland, Ohio on the tradeshow floor during the PHCC—National Association’s CONNECT 2023 event. A total of twenty-one plumbing and eleven HVAC apprentices from across the nation took part in the contests. 

HVAC Apprentice Contest Winners

First place: Jacob Lee of P1 Service in Lenexa, Kansas. He was sponsored by RIDGID.
PHCC HVAC Apprentice Contest Winners. From right: first place, Jacob Lee of P1 Service, Lenexa, Kansas, sponsored by RIDGID. Second place: AJ Posivak of Deluxe Plumbing & Heating, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, sponsored by Milwaukee Tool. Third place: Raulie Rojas of Midwestern Mechanical, Rapid City, South Dakota, sponsored by RIDGID.
PHCC HVAC Apprentice Contest Winners. From right: first place, Jacob Lee of P1 Service, Lenexa, Kansas, sponsored by RIDGID. Second place: AJ Posivak of Deluxe Plumbing & Heating, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, sponsored by Milwaukee Tool. Third place: Raulie Rojas of Midwestern Mechanical, Rapid City, South Dakota, sponsored by RIDGID.
  • Second place: AJ Posivak of Deluxe Plumbing & Heating in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. He was sponsored by Milwaukee Tool.
  • Third place: Raulie Rojas of Midwestern Mechanical in Rapid City, South Dakota. He was sponsored by RIDGID. 

    • Plumbing Apprentice Contest Winners

    • First Place: Cody McDonald of Van Contracting, Inc. in Columbia City, Indiana He was sponsored by the International Code Council.
    • Second place: Nick Vasknetz of Local 525 in Las Vegas, Nevada. He was sponsored by Home Depot Pro.
    • Third Place: Joseph Hardin of Local 333 in Lansing, Michigan. He was sponsored by Bradford White. 
    PHCC-National Association
    PHCC Plumbing Apprentice winners. From right: First Place: Cody McDonald of Van Contracting, Inc. in Columbia City, Indiana, sponsored by the International Code Council. Second place: Nick Vasknetz of Local 525 in Las Vegas, Nevada, sponsored by Home Depot Pro; and Joseph Hardin of Local 333 in Lansing, Michigan, sponsored by Bradford White.
    PHCC Plumbing Apprentice winners. From right: First Place: Cody McDonald of Van Contracting, Inc. in Columbia City, Indiana, sponsored by the International Code Council. Second place: Nick Vasknetz of Local 525 in Las Vegas, Nevada, sponsored by Home Depot Pro; and Joseph Hardin of Local 333 in Lansing, Michigan, sponsored by Bradford White.
    The plumbing apprentices were required 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. 

    The HVAC competitors were required to complete a written test, demonstrate proper brazing techniques and perform a hands-on diagnostic on an HVAC package unit, with system errors created by the Foundation’s contractor volunteers for the competition. The competitors also had to perform a pressure and leak test, demonstrate proper refrigerant recovery procedures and the ability to accurately take a variety of instrument readings. 

    A dedicated team of contractor volunteers arrived two days before the competitions to assemble the competitor test benches, distribute the materials and supplies and set up the testing areas. They monitor the competitions, evaluate the apprentices’ work and provide constructive feedback on each competitor’s performance following the event.

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