Looking Back, Building Forward: Highlights from the 2024–2025 School Year

As we gear up for a brand-new school year, we’re taking a moment to reflect on the milestones, memories, and momentum that made 2024–2025 such a standout year for the UA Local 486 Apprenticeship School.

From hands-on learning experiences to top finishes at regional competitions, this past year has been full of wins for our apprentices, instructors, and the entire Local 486 community.

A New Tradition: BootCamp Returns

Another major highlight was the launch of our Apprentice BootCamp, an intensive week of foundational training for new apprentices. Introduced for the first time in 2024, this immersive experience equips incoming apprentices with the essential skills they need to thrive—from tool safety and use to the mindset of excellence that defines our trade.

With the support of industry-leading partners like DeWalt and Milwaukee, apprentices got hands-on tool training directly from the experts. These sponsors went above and beyond, demonstrating how to use the latest tools effectively, efficiently, and safely.

Thanks to its success, BootCamp is here to stay. The 2025 BootCamp kicks off this July, reinforcing our commitment to developing the best-trained tradesmen and tradeswomen in the region.

Open House Success Sparks Expansion

One of our proudest accomplishments this year was the incredible response to our newly launched Open House. Designed to give prospective apprentices, parents, and educators a firsthand look at our world-class training program, the Open House exceeded expectations in both attendance and feedback.

The response was so overwhelmingly positive that we’re doubling down: we’ll now host two Open Houses during the 2025–2026 school year to give even more people the opportunity to see what makes our program—and our people—so special.

Apprentices Compete—and Win

We were also proud to cheer on our apprentices in the Mid-Atlantic Pipe Trades Apprentice Contest, where Local 486 showed up and stood out:

• Levi Coates – 1st Place, Plumbing

• Devin Mayhle – 1st Place, Fitting

• Matt Parks – 1st Place, HVAC-R Service

• Aiden Simms – 2nd Place, Welding
   

Their dedication, skill, and professionalism represent everything we strive for at Local 486. We also proudly participated in the District 2 Apprenticeship Competition in Cincinnati, OH, showcasing our talent on a larger stage and learning alongside the best in the industry.

Looking Ahead

As we turn the page to the 2025–2026 school year, we’re more energized than ever to build on what we’ve achieved. With more opportunities to connect through Open Houses, another powerful BootCamp session, and continued excellence in competitions, UA Local 486 is committed to preparing the next generation of piping professionals.

We’re also hard at work modernizing our Hagerstown location, which is currently undergoing demolition to make way for an upgraded facility. This investment will allow us to offer even more advanced training, tools, and resources to apprentices in Western Maryland—continuing our mission to train highly skilled tradespeople across the region.

These updates were just a highlight of all the exciting things happening at the UA Local 486 Apprenticeship School. If you want to keep up to date with all of the happenings, make sure to follow us on Facebook or Instagram, where we show you what really happens on a day-to-day basis.