NORTHWEST LABOR PRESS | April 19, 2019 | PAGE 9
Plumbers & Fitters
Local 290 apprentices
test their skills at
annual contest
The United Association of Plumbers and Fitters
Local 290 College of Mechanical Systems and
Technology held an apprenticeship contest
April 6-7 at the Matt Walters Training Center in
Tualatin. About 100 apprentices — ranging
from first to 10th term — used their learned
skills to complete projects from blueprints.
Competition was timed and judged for quality.
Apprenticeship Coordinator Bob DeGraw.
said competition was held in four disciplines —
plumbing, steamfitting/pipefitting/sprinkler fit-
ting, welding, and heating, ventilation, air con-
ditioning and refrigeration (HVAC/R).
The top finisher in each discipline advances
to the Western Regional Apprentice Contest this
June in Idaho. There, they will go up against top
apprentices from locals in 10 western states.
Top placers in Idaho will then qualify for the
national contest held in Ann Arbor, Michigan,
in August.
Top finishers at UA Local 290 were:
■WELDER: Cody Halme
■ HVAC/R: Kurt Beagley
■ PLUMBER: Chaz Ehlers
■ STEAMFITTER: Richard Eisenbeisz
Approximately 600 apprentice plumbers and
fitters are in training at seven UA Local 290
training centers in Oregon and Eureka, Calif.
Local 10 hosts national coatings training
Above, Justin Dalby, a journeyman painter at the Vigor shipyard, was
one of several Painters Local 10 members to take an advanced Na-
tional Association of Corrosion Engineers (NACE) 1 certification class
held at the Portland training center April 7-11. The course is $4,000
per person, but because Local 10 hosted, members attended at no
charge. Graduates know how to use instruments to inspect indus-
trial coatings to ensure they’ll properly resist corrosion in heavy-duty
environments. Instructor Mike Llanos says completing the certifica-
tion means Vigor wouldn’t have to hire outside inspectors.