Local 627 graduate apprentices Dakota Huffman (left) and Thomas “T.J.” Clark at the J.G. Cooksey Training Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.
For 32 years, the Boilermaker National Apprenticeship Program has hosted the annual Apprentice of the Year Competition for United States apprentices. This year breaks that tradition due to the COVID-19 pandemic that’s been upending life both inside and outside the union.
Apprentices hold an important place in the union. They’re the upcoming generation that will carry the torch into the future in the same way Boilermakers have been doing since the union’s inception in 1880.
While the pandemic keeps BNAP from hosting an in-person competition, we at The Boilermaker Reporter wanted to celebrate the union’s apprentices so we solicited photos from each BNAP section. In place of our usual spread highlighting the Apprentice of the Year Competition, enjoy photos of Boilermaker apprentices across the U.S.
Due to COVID-19 challenges, we enforced social distancing, required face coverings at all times and checked temperatures. At the end of each day, the apprentices worked together cleaning the hall according to CDC guidelines. It was a challenge, but everyone participated. This shows the dedication of these apprentices and our instructors so that no one would have to miss training.
