Charles Goede became the first U.S. competitor in nearly a decade to win the distinguished Medal for Excellence in the plumbing and heating category at the 48th WorldSkills Competition in Shanghai, China (Sept. 22–27).

Goede, a 20-year-old fourth-year plumbing apprentice with the United Association Local 777 from Watertown, Connecticut, competed against 32 of the top young tradespeople from around the world. The grueling 4-day event tested competitors’ skill, precision, craftsmanship and time management under high-stakes pressure.  

The Medal for Excellence recognizes competitors who achieve an elite international standard, demonstrating true mastery over complex fluid, pressure, and climate control systems. Based on the official WorldSkills scale, Goede finished with a 704 score, placing him just 6% away from the top score from Switzerland’s contestant, who took home Gold. Goede is the first American to medal in the category since Asher Chicoine earned a score of 702 in 2017.  

Over 22.5 hours of competition, participants were tasked with assembling four complex plumbing and mechanical modules:

·       Day 1: Drainage, urinal carriers, sink and shower installation.

·       Day 2: Steel piping with HDPE fusion fittings and sink installation.

·       Day 3: Boiler configuration using steel, copper loops, and multi-layer PEX.

·       Day 4: Fixture installation and a heat pump water heater requiring precise copper pipe bending (Goede executed this in just seven bends, under the 8-bend limit).

Goede qualified for the U.S. delegation through SkillsUSA and spent nearly a year preparing under the direction of his technical expert, PHCC Educational Foundation board member Larry Shoemaker and Vinnie Valente from Local 777, alongside a network of dedicated industry mentors. 

Shoemaker emphasized that Goede’s achievement places him in the 90th percentile globally, comparable to graduating at the top of a Dean’s List.

“Charlie really did an exceptional job showcasing the advanced skill and technical know-how required to succeed in the plumbing and heating industry,” Shoemaker said.  “He was committed from the start and worked very hard putting in close to 250 hours of intensive training on top of his full-time job. His success on the world stages proves what’s possible in the plumbing and HVAC trades and I hope it inspires more young people to consider it as a career.”

Goede is expected to complete his apprenticeship and take his journeyman’s exam before the end of the year. He currently works for a contractor on large-scale commercial projects, including a nuclear power plant shutdown – the specialized pipe-bending skills he learned while training for WorldSkills afforded him this opportunity and opened doors he never imagined.

“It was such a tremendous honor to represent my country at the WorldSkills Competition in Shanghai,” Goede said. “Receiving a Medal of Excellence was an incredible achievement and I really look forward to seeing how far the trades can take me. There really is no limit!”

Goede’s journey was made possible through support from industry partners, including the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors National Association (PHCC) Educational Foundation, the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO), UA Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 777 JATC, and DEWALT.

"Charles represents the best of American technical training and dedication," said Chelle Travis, executive director of SkillsUSA. "We are thrilled to celebrate his achievement on the global stage as he demonstrates the vital role of skilled trades in our economy."

IAPMO CEO Dave Viola agreed: “We couldn’t be prouder of what Charles accomplished in Shanghai. Earning a Medal for Excellence on the world stage speaks to the skill, dedication and hard work he put into preparing for this competition. He represented the United States and the plumbing profession exceptionally well, and IAPMO is proud to have been part of his journey.”

Mark McManus, general president of the United Association added: “Charles Goede represents the very best of the UA and our gold-standard registered apprenticeship and training programs. We are so proud of his accomplishments at WorldSkills in Shanghai, but we are not surprised at his success in earning a Medal for Excellence. His dedication, hard work, and commitment to his craft were on full display showcasing more than 137 years of UA training and education, as he brought home some well-deserved hardware.”