Sprinkler Age A Publication of the American Fire Sprinkler Association
NAC’S PHASE I EXAM HELPS EVALUATE, PREPARE, AND SHOWCASE YOUR APPRENTICES
AFSA’s Annual National Apprentice Competition (NAC) is in its third decade of showcasing sprinkler fitter apprentices. While earning a spot in the Top 7 is the ultimate goal for apprentices, there are benefits to simply entering and taking the initial exam—Phase I of the competition. Apprentices can test their knowledge, learn areas they need to work on, and engage in a little friendly competition with their co-workers. As an added benefit, supervisors and employers can gauge apprentices’ progress, glean information to best mentor and support them, and help grow their confidence. AFSA Contractor members participating in the apprentice curriculum and the NAC recently shared their experiences with Sprinkler Age.
MARC HAUG, ALLIED FIRE SPRINKLER
Marc Haug, S.E.T., president of Allied Fire Protection, Fargo, N.D., has been active with AFSA’s apprenticeship program since he acquired Allied in 2014. “We didn’t have a Department of Labor-registered apprenticeship program, so I spent quite a bit of time implementing AFSA’s program within our organization,” he remembers. “I wanted to create a program at Allied that helped us turn out qualified journeymen and ensure the installations they were doing were accurate and code-driven.”
It’s also advantageous because Allied can pay a percentage of the apprentice’s wage depending upon where they are in the program. “Additionally, when bidding on Davis-Bacon prevailing wage projects, we gain an advantage by being able to pay whatever percentage complete the apprentice is on the job. We just simply supply a copy of the certification from the Department of Labor,” comments Haug. “It gives us a more competitive edge.”
Haug’s passion for apprenticeship training led him to apply as a subject matter expert and instructor for AFSA’s Virtual Instruction Program for apprentices. “Not everyone is destined to go to a four-year college,” he says. “We’ve done a disservice to our young people not to encourage them to consider a trade.”
He continues, “With a trade, you’re trained and receive raises on the job, and, in the end, you’ve earned your journeyman’s card and incurred no debt! I don’t understand how we don’t have more people excited or interested in our trade. Being a VIP instructor reinforces my desire to teach people entering the trade and encourage them to grow and stay. I taught Level 1 last year, and now I’m with a new group of Level 1 students, following along with the Level 2 group.”
Haug has been promoting AFSA’s NAC and encouraging his apprentices to take the Phase I exam for years. “It’s important for them to understand that taking the exam helps them understand how much they know or don’t know. It’s humbling for our apprentices but also a great motivator. It’s also a great precursor to the Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s exam, which apprentices must pass.”
Haug notes that the state exam has a 53-percent pass ratio for first-time apprentices who take the test. Allied has had three apprentices complete the AFSA curriculum and passed the state exam on their first attempt.
Now that AFSA offers the Phase I NAC exam online with a virtual proctor via the apprentices’ Canvas account, Haug says entering is a “no-brainer.” “There’s no reason not to take it! The competition test is similar to our state exam, and the test questions for both are derived from the NFPA code and NCCER books. “It’s a win-win for the apprentice and the contractor—it’s a good self-evaluation for the apprentices—and they just might advance to Phase II!”
Allied was excited to have its first apprentice advance to the finals in 2023, with Tim Farley competing at AFSA42: Convention, Exhibition, and Apprentice Competition in Orlando. “We’re very proud of Tim, and he had a great experience at the convention, which he shared with his colleagues.” Haug comments. “Being one of the top seven apprentices in the nation is a big achievement! They gain access to a pretty exclusive club at the end of the day.”
He continues, “It’s also a bragging right for our company. As an employer, we see validation that we’re doing the right thing for our guys and turning out quality sprinkler fitters into our industry.”
TAYLOR SCHUMACHER, SECURITY FIRE SPRINKLER
“Please, please, please consider sending your people. I don’t know if that can be stated enough,” Haug concludes. “Encourage your apprentices to compete, be prepared, and strive for excellence. The payoff for both employer and apprentice is well worth it.”
Security Fire Sprinkler, Sauk Rapids, Minn., has utilized AFSA’s apprenticeship curriculum since “the early days.” Project Manager Taylor Schumacher notes that AFSA’s program fits the state’s need for a registered apprentice program. While they knew the NAC, they never had an apprentice enter. “I think what spurred us was that the Minnesota journeyman’s test is no cakewalk. We started to look at the NAC Phase I exam as practice for that test. Instead of asking an apprentice, ‘What topics are you comfortable with? What do you think you need to work on?’ we can look at the test results. The Phase I exam is point blank and helps the apprentice know exactly what to work on (i.e., standpipes).”
In 2022, Jacob Hanson was the company’s first apprentice to enter the competition. “I had to talk him into it!” Schumacher remembers with a laugh. “He wasn’t sure he’d do well, but I knew it’d be a good way to test his knowledge. As a business owner/manager, you go in the spirit of competition to help an individual excel, and it’s an opportunity to gain more experience.”
Schumacher has only seen benefits after Hanson’s experience at AFSA41 in Las Vegas. “First and foremost, being measured on a national stage boosted Jacob’s confidence level, and obviously, it shows a lot about his character, knowledge, and aptitude. The exposure to knowledge in seminars he attended and at the trade show just added to his bank. Winning the NAC is the American dream come true. It’s changing lives and shows that hard work truly pays off.”
Hanson has only excelled since competing—and winning—the 2022 NAC. He earned one of the highest state exam scores the company has seen and was able to pass the first time. He’s now a journeyman and running work.
Security enjoys the chance to showcase its employees. “It was a dream come true for us, too,” Schumacher remembers. “We told local newspapers about Jacob’s win and got local coverage. We sent out a notice to fellow contractors praising Jacob and got great feedback.” The company also has created a “Hall of Fame.” “It’s one way we show that we care about our employees and we care about training.”
Now that Security has had the NAC experience, the company plans to encourage apprentices to enter. “There’s nothing to lose, only things to gain,” he comments. “If you can inspire competition between your staff, it’s great. They’re trying to excel and to know more.”
“It’s very low stakes, and you never know what’ll happen!” concludes Schumacher. “Maybe, like us, your first-round entry will go all the way!”
COMPETITION DETAILS
Each year, the competition, created in 1994 by the late Robert L. McCullough, continues to attract apprentices from AFSA local chapters and member training programs from all corners of the United States. The Phase I exam must be taken between May 13 – June 30, 2024. Phase II of the competition occurs during AFSA’s annual convention and consists of two portions: a second written test and a live competition practical in the AFSA exhibition hall.
During the live competition, competitors construct and pressure-test a miniature sprinkler system in front of a packed exhibit hall. Each finalist is given a drawing of the system and all the required materials to install it. Finalists then construct the system with five sprinklers onto a 9-ft tall metal frame structure. Competitors must measure, cut, thread, and use fabricated materials for the installations per the drawing they are provided. This exercise requires pipe threading, math, and pipe make-up skills to complete the mini-system within the four-hour time limit. The CPVC section of the system is joined using one-step solvent cement. After the entire system is installed and allowed to set, it is placed under a static water pressure test of approximately 80 psi, with points deducted for any leaks or pressure drop. During the mini-installation, apprentices are judged in three areas—accuracy, craftsmanship, and safety—to form their practical score, which is combined with their written score to determine the winner.
TAKE YOUR APPRENTICES TO THE NEXT LEVEL
AFSA encourages all apprentices enrolled in its apprenticeship training program to participate. Besides an all-expenses-paid trip to Denver to compete at AFSA43, each finalist receives a commemorative plaque, tools, cash prizes, and a complimentary convention registration for their employer. To learn more, see page 42 of this issue or visit www.firesprinkler.org/competition/.
