Local 400 welcomes record-breaking 2026 apprentice class at sixth annual signing day

KEWAUNEE COUNTY – Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 400 and the Mechanical Contractors Association of North Central Wisconsin recently celebrated a milestone achievement, formally welcoming a record-breaking class of 138 first-year apprentices during their sixth annual Apprentice Signing Day. Over 100 inductees attended the ceremony, which borrows its format from National Signing Day for collegiate athletes to highlight the value of high-paying, tuition-free career pathways in the skilled trades.

Among those recognized were three local residents launching their careers in the industry: Brady Pribek of Kewaunee, who joins Meyer Mechanical as a steamfitter apprentice; Blake Werner of Luxemburg, taking on a steamfitter apprenticeship with Hurckman Mechanical Industries and Robert Flaig of Luxemburg, beginning his plumbing apprenticeship at IKM.

The record intake arrives at a critical time for the building trades. According to Wisconsin’s Department of Workforce Development, careers in plumbing, steamfitting, HVAC/R, and pipe fabrication remain designated as “Hot Jobs” — a classification reflecting above-average wages alongside strong projected job growth through 2032. Demonstrating the success of regional pipeline initiatives, 22 members of this year’s class originally explored the trades via high school Youth Apprenticeship programs facilitated by CESA 7, while nine military veterans chose the program to transition into civilian careers.