Nine of the nation’s top HVAC apprentices recently put their skills to the ultimate test during the PHCC Educational Foundation’s newly launched National HVAC Apprenticeship Competition in South Dakota. This contest debuted a rigorous new format focused on real-world troubleshooting and technical agility, positioning the competition as a premier pipeline for the industry's most skilled labor.
The event was a major win for the local community as two South Dakota apprentices secured top honors on the national stage.
The HVAC industry is rapidly evolving, driven by AI-powered smart technology, IoT connectivity, and a strong emphasis on eco-friendly systems. To reflect this modern complexity, apprentices must be equipped to handle real-life challenges within the trade. This year’s contest was a pilot program led by South Dakota contractors Dan Hartman of Wolff’s Plumbing and Heating and Brett Kaltvedt of Midwestern Mechanical who reimagined the competition to establish a model of technical excellence that can be replicated and scaled across all other state chapters within the PHCC network.
In a significant departure from prior years, the contest's format changed from separate technical stations to a single, high-stakes HVAC field assembly. Competitors from Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, California, and Virginia were tasked with installing a complete split system heat pump, which involved piping, wiring, and vacuum charging precisely to the manufacturer's specifications, effectively simulating a real-world factory start-up procedure.
“Putting this competition together was no small feat, but we’re thrilled to have created such a strong blueprint for national HVAC competitions,” said Hartman, technical/project chair for the PHCC National HVAC Contest. “This type of state-to-state, healthy competition serves as motivation for technicians to sharpen their craft and raise the benchmark of the HVAC industry."
The competition drew nine highly skilled technicians. While they did not need to be their state’s winners, they had to be familiar with field work and certified to safely handle refrigerants. The competition ran parallel to the South Dakota PHCC’s state convention in Deadwood with seminars and hands on demonstrations for local high school students to see what work in the trades looks like.
“The national HVAC competition has notably improved and was a tremendous success,” said Dan Quinonez, executive director of the PHCC Educational Foundation. “We are honored to host an event of this caliber, promoting growth and skills enhancement in HVACR, while also demonstrating to future generations the rewarding nature of a career in the trades."
This year’s HVAC contest winners included the following:
- First Place – Cole Kelley, Pipefitters Local 537 Boston, Boston, MA
- Second Place – Jantzen Fisher, Midwestern Mechanical, Rapid City, SD
- Third Place – Will Lauseng, Waterbury Heating & Cooling, Sioux Falls, SD
Donors for this year’s national HVAC apprenticeship competition included Rheem, Milwaukee Tool, Mueller Streamline Co., DSG, Energy Dynamics, Inc., Johnstone Supply, Midwestern Mechanical, and Wolff’s Plumbing & Heating which donated materials and time to make the contest a success. Their strong interest and support highlight the necessity of new formats that prioritize practical, hands-on learning alongside theoretical technical knowledge. This joint approach is vital for the HVAC market to effectively bridge the existing skills gap.
If you’re interested in participating in the next National HVAC competition, contact [email protected]. To learn more about the Foundation and the PHCC Academy resources, visit phccacademy.org/courses/.
