Robert “Bo” Rushing from Local 108 (Birmingham, Alabama) took home the top honor at the 2023 Apprentice of the Year Competition held at Local 107 (Milwaukee) Aug. 7-10. Coming in as this year’s runner-up was Trenton Prichard from Local 40 (Elizabethton, Kentucky). Team honors went to the Great Lakes team of Nicholas Trudeau, L-107 and Evan Mahoney, L-169 (Detroit).
Boilermaker National Apprenticeship Program Chairman Michael Bray spoke at the awards dinner and praised the competitors. “You guys are the best of the best,” Bray said. “You have a lot to be proud of, and your family has a lot to be proud of. Take whatever you have that you’ve gained through these years and apply it.”
To reach the national competition, sponsored by the Boilermakers National Apprenticeship Program, graduate apprentices had to finish in the winner or runner-up spot in their respective area competitions.
In addition to the hands-on competition, candidates competed on a written exam covering their four years of related studies and on-the-job-training. The hands-on portion included a rigging exercise, layout and fabrication, tube rolling, knot tying, hand signals, reeving and equipment use, along with welding, buddy welding and cutting. Judges scored contestants on blueprint reading, safety, overall knowledge and demonstrated skills.
Philadelphia Local 13’s contestant Joe Hayes worked hard to get to the national competition. “It takes a lot of time and effort and extra time no one sees,” he said. “A lot of book work, physical work and taking off from work to practice.”
The competition wouldn’t happen without the judges, and BNAP National Coordinator Mark Wertz said they put a lot of time and heart into the job. “They took it seriously. I talked to all of them and it wasn’t just a quick-and-easy score they put down. They focused on every aspect of what they were judging. They wanted to recognize the individuals for their efforts.”
Great Lakes Area Boilermaker Apprenticeship Program Coordinator Larry McManamon Jr. praised the host lodge, Local 107, for the excellent job they’ve done hosting the National Apprenticeship Competition for the second consecutive year.
“This is the second [competition] in the Great Lakes and they knocked it out of the ballpark,” McManamon said. “They do a fantastic job. [BM-ST Blane Tom] runs a tight ship and he’s got a fantastic staff. I want to thank them for what they do.”
For the graduate apprentices, the week of competition is new for all of them. And whether they won top honors or not, many say it’s an experience to remember.
“It’s been great,” Mahoney said. “I thoroughly enjoyed every step of it. I was given all the good tools and training by our local and apprenticeship coordinator. It’s been a wild ride but I’ve enjoyed every minute of it.”
Dennis Lingle Jr., a competitor from L-502 (Tacoma, Washington), comes from a Boilermaker family. His dad was a Boilermaker and his grandfather, a blacksmith. He said the competition had its stressful moments, and it took a lot of hard work to earn a spot.
“This was a lot of hard work and a lot of studying for sure,” Lingle said. “That was probably the most brutal aspect of it—learning from all the guys and trying to be the most well-rounded Boilermaker possible, not just the best at welding and rigging.”
The competition wouldn’t happen without the volunteer judges. This year’s judges included: Shon Almond, NTD; IR Mitch Brown; Josh Crockett, CBI Services; Chris Darnell, NAES; Jason Dupuis, NEAAC; Chuck Harvey, B&W, retired; Rich Hoelke Jr., MIST, Inc.; Collin Keisling, WSJAC; Alfredo Leyva, L-92 (Los Angeles); Larry McManamon Jr., GLABAP; Stephen Murphy, NEAAC; Eric Olsen, SAJAC; James Paglia, L-28 (Newark, New Jersey); Don Placko, Hayes Mechanical, retired; Lead Judge Michael Stanton, L-154 (Pittsburgh); Kevin Stewart, Great Lakes and Mark Wertz, BNAP.
Josh Watson L-11
I was in the Carpenters and a lot of my friends were Boilermakers. They talked me into jumping trades. I’m very happy. The competition was definitely a challenge.
Tommy McNeil L-237
When I was 30 years old, I decided to make a career change. I think I was welding 20 hours a day between work and school. And then I got recruited from welding school to the Boilermakers. I did two different boot camps. The sacrifices I made…definitely put me here.
Nick Trudeau L-107
It’s been a long journey. I made a lot of great friends and a lot of great brothers. I love every bit of it. I meet new people and see new places I wouldn’t have seen except for the Boilermakers.
Trent Pritchard L-40
It’s been a long journey. I’ve learned a lot. [The apprenticeship] is a really good program and I’ve enjoyed every bit of it. I think it’s a great learning experience. I encourage everyone that comes through it to try their hardest and put forth their best effort and learn as much as they can.
Robert Rushing L-108
It’s been nothing but a good experience for me. I’ve met some great people. I encourage anybody that’s a welder or in any kind of metal trade to think about going on the road and making some money. I think it will benefit them a whole lot.
