In Summary

Congratulations to Swinburne University of Technology plumbing apprentice Nathan Frauenfelder who won the Plumbing Apprentice Skills Competition held at the Plumbing Industry Action Centre (PICAC) on 11 March, 2014.  

Nathan is now eligible for selection to represent PICAC and Australia at the United Association (UA) International Apprentice Skills Contest in Ann Arbor, Michigan later this year.

The competition was held in celebration of World Plumbing Day and provided an opportunity for leading apprentices from across Victoria to display their skills and knowledge of plumbing.

Nine students participated in a series of pipe joining exercises and were assessed on accuracy, neatness, diligence and attitude.

Nathan was nominated and mentored for the competition by Senior Educator Noel Roney, with the pair working after hours to ensure Nathan was ready to compete.

“Nathan displays qualities of a man that can work well under pressure. His diligence and positive attitude is evident in both his work and training and we were wrapped that he came away with first place,” said Terry McEvoy, Manager of Built Environment, Swinburne University of Technology.

Nathan is a mature age plumbing apprentice who has undertaken plumbing as a second trade. In January 2013 he also travelled to India with Swinburne to volunteer on a housing development project at Jamnya Primary School.