ELKHART, Ind. — Nibco Inc, a manufacturer of flow-control products, recently donated a custom-built boiler and water-heater system training board to each of two trades education institutions in order to support hands-on education. The boards were donated to the Pipefitters Union Local 597 training center, in Mokena, Illinois, and ABC Construction Prep Academy in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Designed to promote collaboration across the plumbing and HVAC industries, these builds were originally part of the Community Over Competition Build, showcased at the 2025 AHR Expo. The initiative was led by Impetus Media with Nibco as the title sponsor.
At Local 597, Nibco commercial sales manager Aaron Kilburg presented the training system to Erik Bergman, apprentice coordinator. In Fort Wayne, Aaron Edds, Nibco’s director of product management, presented the training system to Jason Sartain, instructor, and Justin Fidler, area lead instructor at ABC Construction Prep Academy.
“The donation of the boiler and water-heater system training board is a game-changer for our training academy,” said Fidler in a press release. “It provides our students with invaluable hands-on experience, allowing them to build real-world skills in a safe, controlled environment.”
“Donations like this make a real impact in the classroom by giving our students valuable hands-on experience before they enter the field,” said Bergman at Local 597. “We’re always looking for ways to provide more practical training opportunities, and with this build, we’ll be able to use it across multiple classes, including hydronics and boiler systems.”
“These donations are part of Nibco’s ongoing commitment to investing in the future of the plumbing and HVAC trades through enhanced training opportunities,” said Joe Choflet, vice president of sales and marketing at Nibco. “By supporting programs like these, we’re helping ensure the next generation of professionals enters the workforce with the knowledge, confidence and hands-on experience they need to succeed.”