08/20/2026
On behalf of Plumbers Local 75 and the Apprenticeship & Continuing Education Department, we would like to congratulate Austen Stensrud on his accomplishments and achievements at the UA International Contest in Ann Arbor, MI this year.
Austen just completed his journey competing at the UA International Apprentice Competition, representing Plumbers Local 75 and Hooper Corporation. This journey was nothing short of amazing to watch and experience. The United Association has over 68,000 apprentices worldwide out of its 410,000 members. He won our state competition, which made him one of 376 competing at a district level. He was 1 of only 8 plumbers competing in District 4. District 4 has some of the most tried and true craftsmen in the US with all the States we represent. There’s truly a reason Plumbers Local 75 has finished 2nd numerous times and it has been over 30 years since someone has made it to this international competition. At the international level, he was one 1 of 7 finalists to compete. To put into perspective his competition, this includes the entire United States, the entirety of Canada, and one individual from Australia! There is a total of 35 Apprentices total in all trades for this competition for the United Association. All that being said, Austen is truly one of the proven elites in the trade.
Now to reflect on Austen as an individual, of what truly sets him apart and why we are so truly proud of him. As a student, everyone is told that in your Apprenticeship you will work with hundreds of others tradesman. You will see a hundred different ways to do something. But it is your Apprenticeship, your career to own, and your responsibility to take that and figure out how you need to do it best for you. And he has owned that responsibility fully. His attention to detail and craftsmanship are truly like a work of art when you see it, and everyone - even at the top levels - stopped and noticed. Many commented at the competition of how great his craftsmanship was. Austen has exhibited traits from day one of his Apprenticeship that couldn’t go unnoticed, such as his drive to learn. He admits school and academics took a lot of work for him, but he was always curious and inquisitive when something didn’t quite make sense – the “Why it is that way?”, “Why does it work that way?”, or “Is there a better way in each situation?”. At times, it would even send the instructors researching for more information for him and the class. Experiencing this, we could tell that he truly wanted to be the best that he could be. He was not happy with his work if it just was completed – he wanted to excel. Austen has a very high self-standard that shined though this whole process. Being off on a measurement by even a little wasn’t his standard.
We are proud to say that Austen truly represented Local 75, Hooper and mostly himself at the highest level. Comments were made on how stress doesn’t even phase him. This young man asked to compete back in April. The schedule of progression was put in front of him and he agreed. In Wisconsin, our code book and the state curriculum are what we have to use. He was handed a bag with over 10 books with practices and codes from every state and the UA curriculum. This is what he needed to learn on top of his required materials. And as expected, he took that in stride. After he won the District 4 Competition, weeks before the International Competition, he passed his Journeyman’s test and was running work for his company. And as expected, he took this in stride as well.
At the competition he was tested for five long days with many written exams, interviews, service calls, and project after project. Every piece of pipe and everything he did was picked apart and scored. There were comments from the competition that they were watching his work to make sure they were doing it correctly. He truly represents a standard we should all be proud of. When you see him, please thank him and congratulate a true champion of Plumbers Local 75. Anyone would want to work beside him, especially when a project needs to be done correctly and on time – every single time.
Thank you, Hooper, for your flexibility, training, and guidance that you have given to Austen to help his growth in his trade.
Thank you, Austen, for representing Local 75 and yourself with such honor and skill.
And a huge thank you to your amazing family for their patience and support during these competitions. We were honored to meet and join you on this journey.
We can’t wait to see what amazing things your future brings, Austen! ✨
- Plumbers Local 75 and the Apprenticeship & Continuing Education Department
