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. 

Edgar Lopez out of Pittsburg, California, DC16, won the three-day event. He said of his win, “I thought about my journey. I knew you needed to be passionate about what you do and care about the little details that other people let slide. Taking the championship home and representing my District Council 16 is incredible. I felt that all my hard work was appreciated. And I was happy to have my family with me to share this special moment.”

Lopez competed alongside Jonathan Youn, Honolulu, Hawaii, DC50; Diana Jimenez, Long Beach, California, DC36; and Harrison Aho, Vancouver, Washington, DC5. 

Youn is over the halfway point in his apprenticeship training. “Jonathan was amazed by the contest and the show,” said David Winkler, regional director of IUPAT. “He enjoyed talking with the contractors and installers that were observing his work. He answered questions and got to meet people from all over the world.”

The competition had the privilege of hosting its first female competitor. Jimenez, according to Winkler, is very meticulous and possesses a true passion for her craft. “She’s very active in working to make the trades more accessible and welcoming to other women,” he said. “We look forward to working with her to attract more women into the floor covering trade.”

Aho’s brother Jackson Aho competed in and won the first competition held in 2023. The brothers have a sister who is interested in following in their footsteps. Winkler states, “She has a similar attitude and desire to learn and excel as her brothers. We’d be lucky to have her!”

The competition was tight, according to Dave Johnson with Floor Guy Consulting, past head of the Northern California Floor Covering Association, and competition judge. “The fit and finish was pretty equal amongst all four of them. Unfortunately, one of them had mismeasured, so the inset was off-center by a little more than an inch. Other than that, I would bet that the points were very close between all the participants.”

What set Lopez’ installation above the rest was its near flawlessness, said Winkler. He points out that the competitors worked well despite the pressure placed on them by the competition and the onlookers. “These apprentices should all be proud of the work they did,” he said. 

The IUPAT has invested millions in training and curriculum through its Finishing Trades Institute located in Maryland, where the training curriculum is written based on best practices, input from the Floor Covering Advisory Committee, and manufacturer guidelines, according to Johnson. 

“This curriculum and training are passed down through the affiliate District Councils and provided to every Floor Covering Apprentice through a four- to five-year training program producing the best-trained individuals in the industry, bar none,” he said. 

Lopez credits the training he has received through the IUPAT Apprenticeship program with helping him achieve “high-quality craftsmanship.” Additionally, he points out that it provided him with more confidence in his skills and a strong sense of accomplishment. The support he experienced along the way by mentors Val Chestohin, David Winkler and Anthony Nuanes played a big role in his success. 

“[Edgar] is going to make a great journeyman, and when he does, I hope he takes the time and effort to help mentor the next generation of IUPAT floor covering installers,” Winkler said.