Industry News

Falls Church, Va. —  The Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors — National Association’s (PHCC) Educational Foundation is proud to announce the winners of the national plumbing and HVAC apprentice contests. The contests were held October 5^th & 6^th in Charlotte, North Carolina on the tradeshow floor during the PHCC—National Association’s CONNECT 2022 event. A total of eighteen plumbing and ten HVAC apprentices from across the nation took part in the contests.

PHCC Educational Foundation Chair Kevin Tindall, Plumbing Contest Winner Jake Elsbecker and Plumbing Contest Chair Jim Steinle.

Plumbing Apprentice Contest Winners

• First place: Jake Elsbecker, from Midwestern Mechanical in Spencer, Iowa. He was sponsored by Zoeller.
• Second place: Scott Hicks, Jr. from TD Industries in Houston, Texas. He was sponsored by the International Code Council.
• Third place: Alex Estevez from B Wagner Contracting in Allentown, New Jersey. He was sponsored by the Copper Development Association.

HVAC Apprentice Contest Winners

• First Place: Sebastian Uhde, from Magnolia Plumbing, Heating and Cooling in Washington D.C. He was sponsored by the PHCC National Auxiliary.
• Second place: Harrison Bosler, from Howe Inc. in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He was sponsored by NIBCO, INC.

• Third Place: Sean Reed, from Reddick and Sons in Manassas, Virginia. He was sponsored by RIDGID.

The plumbing apprentices were required rough-in a bathroom system. The set-up includes a toilet, sink and shower, complete with supply, waste and vent lines, plus cleanouts and extra features designed to test the contestants’ knowledge and skills. The test set-up includes a variety of pipe materials – cast iron, copper, and PVC and corresponding joining methods.

The HVAC competitors were required to complete a written test, demonstrate proper brazing techniques and perform a hands-on diagnostic on an HVAC package unit, with system errors created by the Foundation’s contractor volunteers for the competition. The competitors also had to perform a pressure and leak test, demonstrate proper refrigerant recovery procedures and the ability to accurately take a variety of instrument readings.

A dedicated team of contractor volunteers arrived two days before the competitions to assemble the competitor test benches, distribute the materials and supplies and setup the testing areas. They monitor the competitions, evaluate the apprentices’ work and provide constructive feedback on each competitor’s performance following the event.

Service Experts Career Academy (SECA) is partnering with the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) to offer a debt-free path to a lifelong career as an HVAC technician or plumber. The SECA program is training dozens of apprentices across the country to meet the growing demand for HVAC technicians and plumbers. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 401,100 job openings for HVAC technicians are expected every year for the next decade. After a positive response to the HVAC training program, SECA and NCCER will also train aspiring plumbers beginning January 2023.

Service Experts welcomes any applicants interested in starting their professional careers debt-free. While trade schools, four-year colleges, associates degrees and other hands-on training programs can cost $7,000 or more annually, SECA pays HVAC apprentices throughout all four years of the training program, while giving them virtual, hands-on and ride along learning opportunities.

“We are opening our doors to anyone interested in taking that first step,” says Tom Essing, a SECA technical trainer in Michigan. “Whether you have prior experience or are a fresh mind with no experience at all, we want good, quality people who are enthusiastic about learning and are looking for a fulfilling career.”

“The construction and maintenance workforces are aging and it’s important we recruit and train the next generation of craft professions,” said NCCER President and CEO Boyd Worsham. “It will take all of us working together to make a real impact on the industry as we strive to fill the skills gap.”

In a traditionally male-dominated field, SECA is making strides by reaching out to women who might be interested in HVAC technician training. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, women only make up 1.5 percent of HVAC professionals and 2.1 percent of plumbers in 2021; however, nine percent of students in SECA are women.

“I’ve always had trouble finding a job that I could grow in. Thankfully the apprenticeship program has allowed me to do just that and get my certification in HVAC,” said Kailey Scott, a current apprentice in SECA. “In this field there are no limits, and I’m more than excited to exceed beyond my limits thanks to this program.”

“When I started working in HVAC, it was a male-dominated field, and now it’s changing to be more diverse,” says Essing. “It’s positive to see this shift and we look forward to continuing to support anyone interested in the HVAC field.”

In addition to paying apprentices, SECA offers a comprehensive employment benefits package made to support each student and their families on day one of their training. According to Essing, SECA wants to attract recruits away from other jobs by offering them the rounded benefits of a career, including two weeks of paid time off, a 401(k) plan with company matching and health insurance programs. Students also get a $1,000 tool kit with hand tools, gauges, electric beaters and more that is theirs when they complete the program. SECA graduates can also take advantage of Service Experts locations spread across the country. Service Experts serves over 90 locations across America, and certified program graduates have the opportunity to work with any Service Experts location, from San Francisco to Miami.

The pay, opportunities and benefits aren’t the only way that SECA accommodates aspiring HVAC technicians.

“Going virtual has helped get everyone together, all at the same time,” says Ken Benedetto, a SECA technical trainer in New York. “Having virtual class in the morning has been a huge benefit, students are ready to learn before they start their day.”

After completing their SECA training and earning their NCCER credentials, program graduates can earn more than many fields that require a four-year college degree, without having to navigate their lives around repaying expensive school loans.

“If you are looking for a career that will support you for your entire lifetime and give you four years of schooling without debt, jumpstart your future with Service Experts Career Academy,” said Jim Hughes, SECA director.

Top water heating manufacturer and non-profit service organization continue mission to support plumbers around the world and ensure access to safe water supplies

Bradford White Corporation, an industry-leading manufacturer of water heaters, boilers and storage products, announces a continued partnership with Plumbers Without Borders, a grassroots non-profit organization working to increase global access to safe water and sanitation.

The partnership re-affirms Bradford White’s commitment to advance the plumbing and HVAC industries through strategic partnerships and programs and supports Plumbers Without Borders’ ongoing contributions to professional training, promoting careers in the trades and maintaining the industry’s commitment to the highest standards of quality for products and services.

“Plumbers Without Borders is focused on improving lives and shares our deep commitment to elevate the work of industry professionals and the essential role they have in supporting the health, safety and sanitation in communities.” said Rebecca Owens, senior manager of communications for Bradford White. “Through our charitable giving program Industry Forward™, our company is dedicated to providing the tools and resources needed to make a positive impact in communities where we live and work. We are proud to continue our relationship with Plumbers Without Borders and increase their capacity to support individuals and families around the globe.”

Plumbers Without Borders was founded in 2010. The organization connects volunteer plumbers and other skilled tradespeople with projects around the world that are establishing safe plumbing and sanitary systems and promoting related health and safety education. Plumbers Without Borders selects partners based on quality, service, craftsmanship and training.

“We are proud and humbled to have Bradford White Corporation’s continuing support. By creating and investing in their “Industry Forward” program, Bradford White leads the way in exemplifying our industry’s most important goals and initiatives that will help shift the global equation towards improving lives, everywhere.” said Domenico DiGregorio, president and co-founder of Plumbers Without Borders.

For more information about Bradford White, visit https://www.bradfordwhitecorporation.com.

The release of a new Plumbing Specification Guide from Safe Piping Matters gives design and construction professionals an additional resource to guide evaluation and selection of pipe and fittings for drinking-water, drain/waste/vent, fire-suppression, and other critical piping applications. The new specification guide will also support municipalities and owners of individual buildings as they work to upgrade piping systems, including replacing infrastructure prioritized in recent federal programs.

“Recent piping crises illustrate the importance of making thoughtful, informed choices,” said Paul Hagar, Executive Director of Safe Piping Matters. “Lead pipes are a prime example – a once widely available, affordable piping material deemed safe for use. Over the last decade, however, communities are investing billions of dollars and countless hours finding and replacing these toxic pipes. Piping systems represent a hidden opportunity to ensure the safety and health of occupants while also supporting the sustainability and resilience of a building.”

Available at SafePipingMatters.org/guide, the specification guide offers straightforward explanations and recommendations based on industry expertise, academic research, and real-world examples. Key topics include:

• System configurations
• Piping material strengths and weaknesses
• Plumbing codes, standards, and specification language
• Safety issues such as permeation, combustibility, and firestopping
• Health risks from leaching and toxicity
• Resilience factors that affect the lifespan of pipe
• Environmental issues related to production and disposal of pipe materials
• Emerging issues

Safe Piping Matters is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing design and construction professionals the best information on safe, resilient, and sustainable piping. We believe systems should not only improve building performance, but also protect the health of the people who live and work in them. Details at SafePipingMatters.org.