Instructors & Staff

Welcome! My name is Andy Tipton. I am the Pipefitter instructor for the Local Union 441 Apprenticeship Training School. I began my apprenticeship in 1996. I carry a Building Trades Journeyman Pipefitter card as well as a United Assoication Welder Certification card. 

The Pipefitter curriculum includes, but is not limited to, related sciences and mathematics, heavy rigging, signal person training, copper and alloy tube bending, power and process piping layout, drafting and installation, oxyfuel cutting, shielded metal arc welding. All courses are hands on. There is no substitution for union skilled labor.

Matt Brewington is our full-time welding instructor. Joining us in 2021 Matt has over 20 years of experiance in the welding profession. Holding many different UA welding certifications he continues to provide training to our apprentices from just learning to experianced. Holding a GTAW and SMAW, Matt is also a certified welding instructor. 

Spencer Smith has over 10 years of experience in the Commercial and Mechanical Plumbing fields. Member of the Plumbers and Pipefitters Local Union #441 since 2013, he has continued to work with a signatory contractor throughout the years. In 2018, he completed the plumbers and pipefitters apprenticeship training program. In doing so, he holds a Plumbing Code License, Medical Gas Installer certificate with Brazer and EPA Universal, and is a certified OSHA 30 and CPR instructor. In 2022, he attended his first year of the United Association Instructor Program. As of January 2023 he became a full-time instructor with the Plumbers & Pipefitters Apprenticeship program as the Plumbing Instructor.

Having over 7 years’ experience in the commercial and mechanical plumbing industry, he is member of the Plumbers & Pipefitters Local Union #441. Austin became a full-time HVAC instructor with PPATKS in January 2024. Austin currently holds an EPA Universal license, Medical Gas Installer/Brazer certification, Backflow certificate, Master Mechanical license, R-410 A Universal Certificate, and NFPA  70e.