The future of the skilled trades took center stage in Atlanta as the Copper Development Association (CDA) once again partnered with the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Educational Foundation to support the 2026 SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conference.
The longtime collaboration brought together industry professionals and some of the nation’s most talented young tradespeople, reinforcing the importance of workforce development at a time when demand for skilled labor continues to grow.
For more than 20 years, CDA has played an active role in the national plumbing competition, supplying copper materials, technical expertise, volunteer judges and on-site leadership. Held at the Georgia World Congress Center, the event welcomed top students from across the United States and Puerto Rico who earned their place by winning state-level competitions.
During the two-day contest, approximately 50 competitors had 11½ hours to complete a full bathroom rough-in installation from a blueprint, demonstrating their ability to work with copper tubing, cast iron piping and other essential plumbing components while meeting rigorous industry standards.
Beyond the competition itself, the event serves as a valuable pipeline for the construction industry. Programs such as SkillsUSA give students hands-on experience while connecting them with industry leaders and potential employers before they enter the workforce.
By investing time, expertise and resources into the next generation of plumbers, CDA continues to strengthen the talent pipeline and reinforce the critical role skilled trades professionals play in building and maintaining America’s infrastructure.
