The International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) announced the winner of its Apprenticeship Competition held during The International Surface Event (TISE) on January 28-30. Four apprentices competed for the chance to be named the IUPAT 2025 Apprentice Champion, taking home $2,000 and tools and toolboxes donated by Milwaukee Tool, Roberts Consolidated, and Marshalltown, as well as a custom-designed hardhat by Bullard.
The competition, in its third year, gives apprentices a platform to demonstrate their skills while showcasing the program to industry professionals. Apprentices installed sheet goods, donated by Forbo, based on work orders produced by IUPAT’s International Floorcovering Committee and approved and implemented by technical teams. Judges are responsible for checking the gaps, measurements, techniques used and time to completion to determine the winning installation.