The United Association of Plumbers, Pipefitters and Service Technicians will hold its state apprenticeship contest in Lima on April 23, 24, and 25 at the office of UA Local 776 at 1300 Bowman Road behind the Allen County Fairgrounds.

The top apprentices from 15 different locals across Ohio will be competing for top   honors in plumbing, pipefitting, welding, sprinkler fitting and HVAC service. Representing Local 776 in this year’s competition are Matt Chiles-pipefitter, Nathan Chamberlain-welder and Dallas Hoffman-HVAC.

The winners of this contest will go on to compete in the District 2 Regional Contest in Louisville, Kentucky, in June and then to the national contest in Ann Arbor, Michigan, in early August.

The Plumbers, Pipefitters and Service Technicians Local Union based in Lima spends upwards of one half million dollars every year for apprenticeship training. This time honored commitment of passing down craft knowledge from one generation to the next ensures not only the guarantee of a skill that will last a lifetime but also the safety and well being of this community. This model has worked for hundreds of years and will continue to serve not only Lima, but our nation, for generations to come.