On Friday May 5th 2017, Plumbers and Gasfitters Local 12 gathered at the Venezia Restaurant in Dorchester to celebrate the Graduation of the 2017 Apprentices. Over 200 friends and family attended the event.

This year’s graduating class had sixteen apprentices that passed all of the competencies that are required at the Local 12 Training Center. “These apprentices have exceeded all of the expectations that were required of them,” said Rick Carter, Director of Apprentice Training.

These apprentices completed over 1200 hours of related training that began as a night program but finished as part of the concentrated day school program. Hugh Kelleher, Executive Director of the Greater Boston Plumbing Contractors Association, stated in his remarks, “All of the reports I have gotten from the contractors have been excellent in regards to what they see in this class coming out of the training center.”

Special Guests included United Association International Representative Dan Watts and General Agent of the Boston Building Trades, Brian Doherty. Doherty commented, “This class represents the very best in what apprenticeship means to the construction industry in Boston, we are the organization training the workers of the future.”

Hugh Kelleher was also recognized for his enthusiastic support of training over the years. He will be retiring at the end of 2017. He was presented a gift from Rick Carter and Harry Brett from Local 12 and Dan Watts from the U.A.

Business Manager Harry Brett summed up the night with his comments. Ranging from the apprentices’ personal commitment to the training program, given the fact that many have families to

 provide for to also laying the solid groundwork for the future success of Plumbers Local 12 and the Contractors. “From my position, I have had the great pleasure of watching these men and women grow from first year apprentices to the journeymen and women that they are today. The future looks excellent with such members passionate not only about becoming the newest plumbers of the Local but real Trade Unionists as well”.

Onward and Upward!!