Andrew Hall (second from the left) poses for photo with (left to right) United Association's Assistant General President Michael Pleasant, General President Mark McManus, and General Secretary-Treasurer Derrick Kualapai. Hall, a member of Local 149, is the first-ever local apprentice to earn success at the international level.
Photo provided
"When they called my name, it was loud and everyone was clapping, so I thought maybe I heard it wrong – then I was in disbelief,” Hall recounted. "The guys I competed against were the best of the best and we all got along so well; nobody would’ve been mad if someone else won. But it wasn’t about beating anyone out; what we went through together was really the rewarding part. I mean, it still hasn’t really hit me that I won." Now in his fifth year with Local 149, Hall graduated from the union’s apprentice training program in June. Each apprentice dedicates 240 hours in the classroom and 1,700 hours in the field to earn the title of journeyman. A Montrose native and graduate of Dieterich High School, Hall previously worked at United Mechanical in Champaign before embarking on a journey as a traveling plumber earlier this year, taking on various construction projects across the nation. During the intense five-day competition in Ann Arbor, MI, Hall and his fellow finalists underwent rigorous evaluations, engaging in both theoretical and practical assessments that included solving complex plumbing scenarios. All finalists were awarded silver rings for their efforts, while Hall will receive a gold ring later this year to commemorate his achievement. Currently residing in Indiana with his wife, Shelly, and their five-month-old daughter, Ronny Louella, Hall is set to work for two more weeks before they visit family. Following that, the family plans to travel to Oregon for several months of work on a significant construction project, a prospect Hall is eagerly anticipating. "Shelly has been at every competition and been my biggest supporter through all of this," he said. "It puts everything in perspective that if you’re scared of everything in life, you never really get to experience anything. You just need to take that leap."
Hall, who earned the District 4 title in Iowa two weeks ago, beating state champion apprentices from 10 other states, will be back in action next month when will go head-to-head against six other district champions from around the country in Ann Arbor, MI.
“It was a very tough competition and it was time-limited, so it was pretty stressful,” Hall said. “The competition was so good, I really thought any one of those other guys could’ve won it. Then I won and was just in disbelief for a couple of hours after that.”
Hall and the competition were tested on plumbing knowledge and skills, including a project involving a mocked-up wall needing pipes and water lines. Certified training directors then graded the work of the state champions from Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
Hall will now go up against five other district champions.
“Every day is like a puzzle and you have to figure things out,” he said. “I really enjoy it.”
In addition to winning the district championship, Hall recently graduated from Local 149’s five-year apprentice program, where he and 26 other apprentices spent 240 hours in class and 1,700 hours on the job each year. Employed at United Mechanical in Champaign throughout his apprenticeship, the June graduate travels the country as a journeyman plumber.
