‘Our future’s looking really bright’

The best welders, plumbers and steamfitters from 11 states were recently put through their paces at Madison, WI during the United Association’s District 4 apprentice champions—and the winners in each of five crafts now advance to the national championships in August in Ann Arbor, MI. Industry partners like Enbridge benefit from the skill base built up at these competitions. “The contest is great, but we’re really here to build lifelong careers for these young folks,” says Steve, Vice President of the UA’s District 4. Karin, a service pipefitter apprentice from Local 539 in Minneapolis, MN, was one of five winners crowned at Madison. “I am a first-generation pipefitter in my family, and it’s a second career for me,” she says. “It’s never too late to get into it.”