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La ciudad que vio nacer al movimiento obrero estadounidense proporcion\u00f3 un marco apropiado para la
Competencia de Maestros Aprendices 2025 (MAC) y Conferencia de Comit\u00e9s Conjuntos de Capacitaci\u00f3n de Aprendices (JATC).<\/p>\n
La competencia y la conferencia, que se llevan a cabo durante un per\u00edodo de cuatro d\u00edas, honran y reconocen a los aprendices, fortalecen la camarader\u00eda, muestran habilidades y demuestran el poder de la capacitaci\u00f3n y el aprendizaje.<\/p>\n
El evento de este a\u00f1o tuvo un significado especial ya que no solo marc\u00f3 el 20\u00ba aniversario del MAC,
pero tuvo tres competidoras femeninas, el mayor n\u00famero de participantes femeninas en los 20 a\u00f1os de historia de la competencia.<\/p>\n
Dentro del sal\u00f3n de competencia donde los competidores trabajaron en maquetas, 19 pancartas colgaban orgullosamente, cada una honrando un a\u00f1o anterior de la competencia y mostrando los nombres de la Conferencia y el Sindicato Local de cada ganador, creando un poderoso tributo visual a dos d\u00e9cadas de excelencia y artesan\u00eda.<\/p>\n
Los oradores de la Ceremonia Inaugural enfatizaron la importancia de apoyar y capacitar a los aprendices. Les recordaron c\u00f3mo las ra\u00edces del trabajo, sembradas con esfuerzo y solidaridad, ahora los nutren, sentando las bases para la pr\u00f3xima generaci\u00f3n de Aisladores.<\/p>\n
Al dirigirse a los aprendices, Brian Cavey, vicepresidente internacional de la Asociaci\u00f3n Internacional de Aislantes de Calor y Hielo y Trabajadores Afines de los Estados del Atl\u00e1ntico Medio, elogi\u00f3 su
dedicaci\u00f3n y habilidad.<\/p>\n
\u201cHan sido puestos a prueba en el aula y en la obra\u201d, dijo. \u201cAhora se han ganado la oportunidad de mostrar su talento entre los mejores. Sea cual sea el resultado, llevan el orgullo de su comunidad local, su familia y sus mentores\u201d.<\/p>\n
El gobernador de Illinois, JB Pritzker, el 43\u00ba gobernador del estado e invitado especial a la ceremonia de apertura, recibi\u00f3 una c\u00e1lida bienvenida antes de pronunciar un discurso que subray\u00f3 la importancia del aprendizaje.<\/p>\n
\u201cUstedes representan el futuro de esta industria vital, y puedo asegurarles que est\u00e1 en buenas manos\u201d, dijo. \u201cSon parte fundamental de nuestro futuro\u201d.<\/p>\n
El gobernador Pritzker tambi\u00e9n record\u00f3 a los aprendices que, dentro de un sindicato, su oficio no s\u00f3lo sostiene los edificios sino que tambi\u00e9n ayuda a las familias.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo podemos llegar a ninguna parte en este pa\u00eds si los trabajadores no tienen \u00e9xito\u201d, dijo. \u201cPorque en la cuna del trabajo estadounidense, el futuro no se construye solo con las manos, sino con el coraz\u00f3n\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cUstedes [los aprendices] representan el futuro de esta industria vital, y puedo asegurarles que est\u00e1 en buenas manos. Son parte fundamental de nuestro futuro\u201d, a\u00f1adi\u00f3 Pritzker.<\/p>\n
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A lo largo de la competici\u00f3n, qued\u00f3 claro que detr\u00e1s de cada aprendiz hab\u00eda familias, oficiales y mentores cuya dedicaci\u00f3n impulsaba el futuro del oficio. La competici\u00f3n fue tanto una prueba de habilidad como una oportunidad para compartir conocimientos, forjar relaciones y fortalecer la hermandad del sindicato.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo hay m\u00e1quina, atajo ni aplicaci\u00f3n que pueda reemplazar lo que hacemos con las manos, la cabeza y el coraz\u00f3n\u201d, dijo Thomas McGrath, Gerente Comercial de Insulators Local 17. \u201cHonremos la tradici\u00f3n, celebremos la excelencia y sigamos construyendo una uni\u00f3n que no solo sea fuerte, sino inquebrantable\u201d.<\/p>\n
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Despu\u00e9s de varios d\u00edas de competencia, el MAC culmin\u00f3 con una noche formal de discursos y una
Ceremonia de entrega de premios a la que asistieron familiares y simpatizantes.<\/p>\n
John Stahl, administrador del Fondo de Capacitaci\u00f3n de Aprendizaje de la Industria del Aislamiento Internacional, captur\u00f3 el orgullo del momento.<\/p>\n
\u201cA cada uno de ustedes, los aprendices que compiten aqu\u00ed, les estoy inmensamente orgulloso\u201d, dijo. \u201cUstedes son las estrellas aqu\u00ed. Son lo que nos hace grandes. Este evento se trata de celebrarlos a ustedes, nuestros aprendices, y la historia de la que ahora forman parte\u201d.<\/p>\n
Para culminar el evento, Alex Raglin del Local 1, St. Louis, Mo., fue anunciado como el ganador de la Competencia de Aprendices Maestros 2025.<\/p>\n
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[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The city that gave birth to the American labor movement provided a fitting backdrop for the2025 Master Apprentice Competition (MAC) and the Joint Apprentice Training Committees\u00a0 (JATC) Conference. The competition and conference, held over a four-day period, honors and recognizes apprentices, strengthens camaraderie, showcases skill and demonstrates the power of training and learning. This year\u2019s […]<\/p>","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":5047,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"\n
The 2025 annual Master Apprenticeship Competition (MAC) brought together the top 10 apprentices from the International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers to Chicago to vie for the Thomas A. Haun Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Once the friendly multiday competition concluded, Alex Raglin from Local 1 St. Louis, was crowned the 2025 MAC champion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hosted by the Insulation Industry International Apprentice and Training Fund (IIIATF), this year\u2019s MAC showcased not only the skill and dedication of union apprentices but also the future of our industry \u2013 and based on the talent level, the future will be bright.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
H2: A landmark event in the heart of Chicago<\/p>\n\n\n\n
From July 15\u201318, the Hilton Chicago\u2019s grand ballrooms were transformed into a hub of craftsmanship and camaraderie, serving as the site of the MAC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the premier event for showcasing the union\u2019s apprenticeship training, the MAC is held in conjunction with the IIIATF\u2019s Joint Apprentice Conference (JAC), the industry\u2019s premier conference for mechanical insulator training coordinators and instructors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The competition began with a written test challenging the apprentices\u2019 knowledge and expertise. After the test, the competitors got their first look at the competition mockup, along with some instructions from the proctors and a brief speech by IIIATF Administrator John Stahl.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Over the course of the next several days, the competitors worked on their mockups as competition judges monitored their progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While the competition is intense, the MAC is more than a contest; it is an opportunity for apprentices from the union\u2019s different conferences to learn from one another, build professional connections and take pride in the skills that set union Mechanical Insulators apart from the non-union sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
H2: The competitors<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 10 apprentices who competed in the 2025 MAC were:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
H2: Celebrating the 2025 champion: Alex Raglin<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Thursday night, in front of a large crowd for the gala dinner that concludes the week\u2019s events, the winner was announced and Raglin hoisted the Thomas A. Haun Cup into the air, kissing it just like a hockey player on the winning team kisses the Stanley Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Raglin became Local 1\u2019s first MAC champion and the fourth winner who represented the Midwest States Conference, joining past winners Jordan Haller (2024), Local 34 Minneapolis, Gus Rodriguez (2017), Local 27 Kansas City and Luke Plowman (2015), Local 34 Minneapolis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
His victory was the second straight for the Midwest States Conference, which has now claimed four titles in the past 11 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Raglin\u2019s performance stood out for both technical precision and a deep understanding of the trade. His ability to apply industry best practices, coupled with his attention to safety and efficiency, earned him top marks from the judges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Winning the MAC is a significant achievement, reflecting years of training, hard work and a commitment to the values of the Insulators Union. His victory is a proud moment for Local 1 and serves as an inspiration to apprentices across the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
H2: The Importance of apprenticeship and training<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The MAC highlights the critical role of apprenticeship programs in the mechanical insulation industry. Through a combination of classroom instruction and on-the-job training, Insulators Union apprentices gain the skills needed to deliver quality work, improve building energy efficiency and maintain the highest safety standards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Events such as the MAC help raise awareness of the mechanical insulation trade and demonstrate the career opportunities available through union membership. Each year, the MAC strengthens the bonds between Local union members and reinforces the union\u2019s reputation for excellence in mechanical insulation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
H2: Looking Forward to 2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With the 2025 MAC in the history books, apprentices throughout North America will soon begin to prepare for the 22nd<\/sup> Master Apprenticeship Competition, which will take place in Phoenix at the Hilton Phoenix at the Peake Hotel.<\/p>\n","_et_gb_content_width":"","content-type":"","inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[357,111],"tags":[385,134,121,384,140,383,112,110],"class_list":["post-4766","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-iiiatf","category-master-apprentice-competition","tag-alex-raglin","tag-apprenticeship-and-training-fund","tag-iiiatf","tag-insulators-local-1","tag-john-stahl","tag-mac","tag-master-apprentice-competition","tag-registered-apprenticeship-programs"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n