IAPMO Celebrates International Plumbing Champions

ONTARIO, CA — The International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO^®) is excited to resume its participation with WorldSkills as a Global Industry Partner for the WorldSkills Competition 2022 Special Edition (WSC2022SE), now underway across the globe.

IAPMO is supporting the Plumbing and Heating competition, Nov. 2-4 at GROHE Tecnikum in Lahr, Germany, in a test of the competitors’ aptitude in techniques related to such modern industry issues as rainwater harvesting, grey water systems, solar thermal heating, heat pump systems and green hydrogen fuel gas lines. Featuring 20 competitors, each representing his or her home nation, the competition measures the participants’ technical skill, problem solving, and overall knowledge of the profession against the clock.

“Building a modern hygiene infrastructure requires a different skillset for today’s advanced technologies,” said IAPMO CEO Dave Viola. “A good plumber is so much more than a person who knows how to turn a wrench. WorldSkills Plumbing and Heating competitors will demonstrate a comprehensive skillset, balancing technical ability with thorough knowledge of both the implements and science necessary to ensure a safe, reliable plumbing or heating system.”

In collaboration with the World Plumbing Council, another long-standing WorldSkills supporter, IAPMO will also present a training and capacity-building activity adjacent to the WorldSkills Plumbing and Heating competition. This Plumbing Champions^TM showcase will connect young industry talents from outside the traditional WorldSkills program to experience the international event and tackle the same assigned competition test project. This activity will be presented by IAPMO’s charitable arm, the International Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Foundation (IWSH).

“IAPMO brings education and skills into the heart of communities around the world,” Viola said. “We’re thinking about the whole system and the people responsible for operating and maintaining them. We accomplish this crucial work by tapping into the almost 100 years of industry experience in developing local infrastructure, improving governance, and creating conditions conducive to better public health and economic outcomes through water and sanitation.”

The official replacement for WorldSkills Shanghai 2022, which was canceled in May due to the COVID-19 pandemic, WSC2022SE will oversee 62 skills competitions over a 12-week span in 15 countries and regions. The event began Sept. 7 and will conclude Nov. 26.

Follow coverage from WSC2022SE via IAPMO’s social media channels. For additional information, direct your web browser to https://worldskills2022se.com/skills/plumbing-and-heating/.