National leader in online learning and fastest-growing local union offer construction management program to complement plumbing skills, give apprentices real-world advantages. Penn Foster, Inc., a leading provider of skills training and education solutions for unions, employers, workforce investment boards and today’s workforce, and UA Local 51, a consolidation of four local plumbing and pipefitting unions Read more
General News
National leader in online learning and fastest-growing local union offer construction management program to complement plumbing skills, give apprentices real-world advantages.
Penn Foster, Inc., a leading provider of skills training and education solutions for unions, employers, workforce investment boards and today’s workforce, and UA Local 51, a consolidation of four local plumbing and pipefitting unions in Rhode Island and southeast Massachusetts, today announced the two organizations have partnered to integrate Penn Foster College’s Construction Technology Associate Degree into the union’s plumbing and pipefitting apprenticeship program. Earning this associate degree in parallel with completing their plumbing and pipefitting apprenticeship produces a better educated and skilled apprentice, which helps the local union, contractors, and customers.
“We’re proud to offer this Construction Management Associate Degree to all 1,200 members-in-training of UA Local 51,” said Timothy Byrne, Business Manager, UA Local 51. “With plumbing jobs expected to increase 21% in coming years, plumbers face increased demands on their capabilities, including the ‘soft skills’ not taught in the apprenticeship program such as critical thinking, problem solving and interaction skills. By offering this curriculum, which complements our apprenticeship program, our journeymen are much more prepared to be successful in the real world.”
To offer this unique apprentice to degree program, UA Local 51 and Penn Foster worked closely to implement Penn Foster College’s Construction Technology Associate Degree to complement the plumbing and pipefitting skills taught in the UA Local 51 apprenticeship. These courses, offered at no cost to all current apprentices and via scholarship to journeymen, have been required of all apprentices joining UA Local 51 since 2014. There are 70 students currently enrolled and union reps expect to enroll 100+ more in 2017. UA Local 51 offers coursework assistance, including study groups and tutoring, for any apprentices who need help with specific subjects.
“UA Local 51 serves as an ideal example of what can happen when two types of learning institutions partner to help upskill today’s workforce and gain an education that complements their other knowledge and skills,” said John Shrader, General Manager and Executive Vice President, Penn Foster. “We admire UA Local 51 for encouraging their apprentices to reach beyond the norm for their ultimate benefit.”
“Our goal is for every apprentice to have both a journeyman’s license and an associate degree,” Byrne continued. “Of all the programs we vetted, Penn Foster was not just the most affordable, but the most flexible, meeting the educational and support needs of our apprentices, and allowing our members to be awarded credits from prior learning and relevant work experience. Our students come out more motivated, confident and better at their jobs.”
Penn Foster is a Registered Apprenticeship Provider working with the Department of Labor via the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), and/or corporate-sponsored offerings. More than 1,000 corporations across the country utilize Penn Foster training and support solutions to educate their workforce. Utilizing its content library in excess of 3,000 business and industrial courses, Penn Foster can build custom apprenticeship programs with contextualized related technical instruction geared toward partner and employee specialization and industry.
About UA Local 51
UA Local 51, formed a short time ago from the consolidation of four locals from Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts, is a member of the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipefitting Industry of the United States and Canada. The fastest growing trade union in the region, Local 51’s membership enjoys full employment, and Local 51 is a recognized force in the labor community. To learn more, visit http://www.ualocal51.com/
About Penn Foster
Students, employers and partner organizations rely on Penn Foster to build the skills and knowledge to power the 21st century workforce. For over 125 years, Penn Foster has been dedicated to helping people lead more meaningful and productive lives and to improving social outcomes through education. Penn Foster provides career pathways for opportunity youth and adult learners through diverse and affordable online diploma, certificate and degree programs, offered via its high school, career school and college. With more than 30,000 graduates each year, Penn Foster’s online and blended learning programs are delivered in a self-paced, competency-based model wrapped by comprehensive academic, professional and personal support and coaching. For more information, visit http://partners.pennfoster.edu/.
Lewis Wood has been promoted to Territory Manager Western-South region for Geberit North America. As Territory Manager, Lewis will be responsible for all sales activity in Southern California, Arizona, Southern Nevada and Hawaii. “We are pleased to announce the promotion of Lewis Wood and congratulate him on his well-deserved promotion. Lewis has demonstrated his ability Read more
Lewis Wood has been promoted to Territory Manager Western-South region for Geberit North America. As Territory Manager, Lewis will be responsible for all sales activity in Southern California, Arizona, Southern Nevada and Hawaii.
“We are pleased to announce the promotion of Lewis Wood and congratulate him on his well-deserved promotion. Lewis has demonstrated his ability to establish a solid rapport with engineers, architects, plumbers and representatives in his region,” say Patrick Kimener, Senior Vice President Sales, Geberit North America. Lewis began his career with Geberit in 2013 as Technical Product Presenter in the Western Region.
Lewis joined Geberit from Max USA, an international manufacturer of pneumatic tools where he was Southwest Regional Sales Executive and responsible for technical training on products as well as training new sales team members. He also worked at Lenox, as part of a National Demonstration Team within 22 states where he planned demonstrations and events throughout his territory.
Lewis has a degree in Communication and Political Science from the University of North Carolina and resides in Southern California.
The Geberit Group is an integrated, global company and European leader in the field of sanitary products, headquartered in Switzerland. Geberit maintains a strong local presence on most continents, including North America, providing concealed systems for wall-hung and floor-mounted toilets and fixtures. Geberit systems improve the look of any bathroom by hiding unsightly plumbing hardware. Replacing a standard toilet with the Geberit system results in more usable space, improved hygiene and better accessibility. The unique dual-flush valve saves water and is practically maintenance free. Geberit also offers cable-controlled bath waste and overflows in a variety of designer finishes. Critical working parts are outside the waterway, ensuring years of trouble-free operation. With 35 production facilities and more than 12,000 employees in over 40 countries, Geberit generated net sales of CHF 2.6 billion in 2015. The Geberit shares are listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange; since 2012, the Geberit share has been included in the SMI (Swiss Market Index).
For additional information, contact Geberit North America at 2100 South Clearwater Drive, Des Plaines, Illinois 60018, or call 800-566-2100. You can also visit Geberit North America at geberit.us.
Marketing Representatives LLC (MRL) recently agreed to represent QM® Drain, a leading international manufacturer of stainless steel linear and center, custom and standard shower drains and accessories. “We are pleased to announce representation of QM Drain across Illinois and Wisconsin,” says Tom Hamilton, National Sales Manager for MRL. “QM Drain has earned a reputation for Read more
Marketing Representatives LLC (MRL) recently agreed to represent QM® Drain, a leading international manufacturer of stainless steel linear and center, custom and standard shower drains and accessories.
“We are pleased to announce representation of QM Drain across Illinois and Wisconsin,” says Tom Hamilton, National Sales Manager for MRL. “QM Drain has earned a reputation for offering innovative and high quality products. We will be promoting and selling QM Drain’s product line through plumbing distributors throughout Illinois and Wisconsin.”
Robert G. Kerr, Regional Sales Manager for QM Drain, chose MRL because of our experience, knowledge and sales acumen. QM Drain is unique in that it is a company of integrity that takes pride in providing masterfully designed shower drains that exceed industry standards, and are precisely made with the highest quality Stainless Steel Marine grade 316. QM Drain strives to always exceed their clients’ expectations by being accountable, vigilant learners and conscious of sustainability.
“As representatives, we will be responsible for not only increasing sales, but maintaining ongoing communications with existing distributors, establishing new ones, and promoting QM Drain through integrated marketing methods including social media, web sites and ongoing marketing services,” Hamilton explains.
QM Drain, located in Pompano Beach, Florida, has over a decade of manufacturing expertise in engineering and creating Stainless Steel shower drains. The company employs an extensive level of quality controls to ensure each product bears the trademark assurance of QM Drain. The company provides unique modern design and high quality shower drains to the bathroom industry.
Marketing Representatives LLC, a division of Interline Creative Group, Inc., is a comprehensive marketing organization based in Palatine, Illinois. Special programs and marketing opportunities such as the “Preferred Partner Program” are available through Marketing Representatives LLC for businesses interested in displaying and selling hardware. For more information, contact Tom Hamilton at 847-358-6884 or TomH@marketingrepsllc.com. Marketing Representatives LLC is located at: 553 N. North Court, Suite 160, Palatine, IL 60067.
Two teams from FIRST demonstrated their home-built robots for associates of Bosch Thermotechnology Corporation in Londonderry, New Hampshire. FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) consists of elementary, middle and high-school age young people whose mission is to “… inspire young people to be science and technology leaders, by engaging them in exciting Read more
Two teams from FIRST demonstrated their home-built robots for associates of Bosch Thermotechnology Corporation in Londonderry, New Hampshire. FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) consists of elementary, middle and high-school age young people whose mission is to “… inspire young people to be science and technology leaders, by engaging them in exciting Mentor-based programs that build science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) skills, that inspire innovation, and that foster well-rounded life capabilities including self-confidence, communication, and leadership.” Founded in 1989 by the prolific inventor and entrepreneur Dean Kamen (inventor of the Segway personal transport device), FIRST is founded on the concept and philosophy that teams should help and cooperate with each other even as they compete. The participating teams were FIRST Robotics Competition Team 238 “The Crusaders,” from Manchester Memorial High School, and FIRST Tech Challenge Team 9620 “R.O.U.S.” (Robots of Unusual Size) from Greater Concord NH. After each team demonstrated its robot overcoming a series of challenging obstacles, the teams presented Bosch Thermotechnology Regional President Vitor Gregorio with a plaque commemorating Bosch’s support for the FIRST program.
For more information about FIRST visit http://www.firstinspires.org/
For information about Bosch Thermotechnology visit www.boschheatingandcooling.com
About Bosch Thermotechnology Corp.
Bosch Thermotechnology Corp. is a leading source of high quality heating, cooling and hot water systems. The Company offers Bosch tankless, point-of-use and electric water heaters, Bosch and Buderus floor-standing and wall-hung boilers, Bosch and FHP water-source, geothermal and air-source heat pump systems, as well as controls and accessories for every product line. Bosch Thermotechnology is committed to reinventing energy efficiency by offering smart products that work together as integrated systems that enhance quality of life in an ultra-efficient and environmentally friendly manner. Bosch strives to bring the most energy-efficient and environmentally responsible products to global consumers. In delivering the best products at affordable prices to our markets, Bosch has established multiple collaborations and joint ventures on a global scale to bring the latest technologies to North America. All global manufacturing facilities must adhere to stringent quality standards in order to provide the trusted Bosch brand. For more information, visit www.boschheatingandcooling.com About Bosch
Hiller Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electrical (Hiller), the region’s premier provider of residential and commercial service and repair, was ranked among Inc. 5000’s List of Fastest-Growing Private Companies in America. The 2016 award marks Hiller’s 11th inclusion in the Inc. 5000 List. The Inc. 5000 List honors the top privately held companies in America that Read more
Hiller Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electrical (Hiller), the region’s premier provider of residential and commercial service and repair, was ranked among Inc. 5000’s List of Fastest-Growing Private Companies in America. The 2016 award marks Hiller’s 11th inclusion in the Inc. 5000 List.
The Inc. 5000 List honors the top privately held companies in America that attain exceptional levels of growth and are “superheroes of the U.S. economy”. With 2015 annual revenues totaling over 90.2 million dollars and 100% growth over the past three years alone, Hiller earned its rank as #3307 of the fastest growing businesses on the list.
“We are honored to be included again on the Inc. 5000 List”, said Jimmy Hiller, founder and owner of Hiller Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electrical. “I believe we obtained our rapid growth through our dedication to exceptional service, honesty, and integrity. So it is especially meaningful when we receive awards like this that recognize our efforts on a large scale.”
Launched in 1990 out of a duplex in Antioch, Tennessee, with a single employee and just $500, Hiller has grown to include over 470 trucks, 12 locations, and more than 600 employees across the southeast. In the past decade alone, Hiller has experienced over 900% growth in revenue.
Hiller Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electrical, provides residential and commercial service and repair throughout Tennessee, Southern Kentucky, and Northern Alabama. As the homeowner’s premier provider of choice with a 100% satisfaction guarantee, Hiller is Tennessee’s largest residential plumbing, heating, air conditioning, and electrical services provider. Hiller, recently named the fifth fastest-growing private company in Middle Tennessee and “Best in Business” from the Nashville Business Journal, employs more than 600
associates, boasts a fleet of 470 “happy face” trucks across 12 locations, and has responded to over 1.4 million service calls. For more information about Hiller, visit http://www.happyhiller.com or e-mail press@happyhiller.com.