Nick Hahn, #1 Apprentice

Local 130’s UA 2008 Apprentice Contest Winner

“If you don’t play you can’t win.”

Do you conjure up this little truism while in line to buy that lottery ticket that’s going to change your life forever? While you know the odds are minuscule that you’ll be the lucky person, you assure yourself nonetheless that at least you are in the contest and have as good a chance as everyone else.

This may have been on the mind of Nick Hahn when he arrived in Ann Arbor, Michigan, as one of the final contestants in the United Association’s Apprentice Contest. When the contest began, Nick brought his “A-game” once again. He passed every test and finished every project on time that was assigned to him during the difficult, 3-day competition. He was pleased that he did his best; however, at no time did the modest, quiet young man think he had anything “in the bag.”

He didn’t really believe he would win. BUT WIN HE DID! And when he heard his name read over the powerful public address in the crowded assembly hall where UA officials, hundreds of instructors and their families from around the nation were gathered with his fellow contestants, he was as surprised and excited as anyone. “I was very amazed and excited — almost shaking,” Nick admitted.

The 25-year-old 5th-year apprentice had made everyone in the audience from Local 130 especially proud. Perhaps no one was prouder than Business Manager James T. Sullivan. As the UA Vice President for Region IV, it was his duty to approach the microphone and announce the winning apprentice plumber — and before opening the envelope, of course, he had no knowledge of the winner’s identity. When Jim Sullivan opened the envelope he almost choked, one observer noted. He seemed to need a few seconds to compose himself. Then he ecstatically introduced Nick Hahn, from his own Local Union, as the winner. He congratulated Nick on stage and presented him with a plaque.

“It was really cool hearing my Business Manger announce my name in the arena,” Nick said. “He was excited, I was excited: It was great!”

To be sure, Nick’s achievement is a feather in the cap of the apprentice training program at Local 130, admitted Training Coordinator Rich O’Connor. “I’m sure all of Nick’s instructors feel proud,” he said. Rich, however, noted the huge contribution that so many members of the industry outside of the training center have made to Nick’s development as a plumber. His employer (A-Plus Plumbing Inc., Schaumburg, Ill.) and L.U. 130 journeymen on the job, he explained, “all helped add to Nick’s knowledge and character as a plumber.”

“He did a great job, and we are super proud of him,” Rich O’Connor said. “He did a fantastic job. He blew everyone away,” added James Sullivan.

Nick Hahn will be honored at the November 2008 Local 130 meeting.

Congratulations Nick Hahn, selected as the United Association’s top apprentice plumber in 2008!