PHCC

Applications are available now for the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors—National Association (PHCC) Educational Foundation 2025 scholarship program. The organization plans to award 65 scholarships totaling $150,500 to plumbing and HVACR apprentices working for PHCC—National Association members, trade school or community college students taking plumbing or HVAC classes and college students pursuing majors directly related to the plumbing-heating-cooling industry.

In the application process, scholarship candidates answer questions about their involvement in the trades and future career goals. They are asked to supply a letter of recommendation, which apprentices can secure from their PHCC member contractor employer, while students enrolled in trade schools or colleges can obtain it from a teacher or academic advisor. Scholarship amounts vary between $1,500 and $10,000, with most scholarships valued at $3,000. The deadline for all required documents to be turned in is May 1st, and the application form can be accessed at phccfoundation.org/scholarships.

The scholarships are funded by contractor donations to the PHCC Educational Foundation and by these corporate sponsors: A. O. Smith, Bradford White Corporation, Delta Faucet Company, Ferguson Cares Foundation, Home Depot Pro, InSinkErator, RIDGID, Scorpion Home Services Marketing, State Water Heaters, and Sterling (a Kohler Brand).

Contractor business owners want to ensure that apprentices and technicians are invested in their training and commonly will require new hires to pay for their own classes. This can be difficult for employees who are also supporting a family or stretching their finances on entry-level earnings. The Foundation’s scholarships can provide a bridge to the point where their growing skills deliver the job earnings needed to self-fund the rest of their training. “And for employers who pay for their employees’ training, our scholarships can free up training funds the company can reinvest in other areas,” added John Zink, the Foundation’s VP of Development and Communications.

Um, yeah. With Trump ready to assume the role of President for his second term, albeit not consecutively, other than the renaming the Gulf of America, how much can we “read the room” as to changes in policies, rhetoric or general feeling moving forward to things that relate to the PHVAC industry? We recently caught with Mark Velentini, VP of Legislative Affairs at the PHCC-National Association, and Charles White, VP Regulatory Affairs at the PHCC-National Association—affectionately known as the “Chuck & Mark Show” by the PHCC—as they have their finger on the pulse of DC.

MH: We can kind of gauge what sort of policies/governance may come out of Trump’s term based on his first term, but how do you think the second time around will affect the plumbing industry in general?

Mark Valentini

VALENTINI: A Republican Congress and administration will bode well on energy policy as PHCC members confront bans and restrictions on natural gas connections and appliances across the country. This will also bode well for tax policy as certain provisions in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 are set to expire which have been beneficial for many contractors, especially when considering Congress revisiting the corporate tax rate and potentially lowering it to 15% down from 21%.

MH: Does a more deregulated government mean more uphill battles for water/energy efficiency?

Charles White

WHITE: I think the previous Trump Administration showed us uphill battles when agencies were directed to create exempt categories like small cycle dishwashers and such. It is likely that the second Trump Administration will take these actions to the next level by moving to rewrite the underlying legislation. Having said that, the efficiency efforts will then move to the progressive states rather than being federal actions, we will probably not see much regression to less efficient standards and the high population states like California and New York will likely drive the industry to higher efficiency products.

MH: Do you think there may be changes to things like the Inflation Reduction Act or Infrastructure Bill or is that pretty much hands off at this point?

VALENTINI: It is rather early to tell, IIJA has been around for some time now and may be hard to change. The IRA has so many parts, that makes it hard to consider in one piece. Tax credits like Section 25c could be pretty safe but the HOMES and HEARS Acts may not be as safe since they represent almost $9 billion.

WHITE: Most of HOMES and HEARS programs have yet to roll out which could make them a prime target but since they have a low- and moderate-income focus, there may be an optics issue to remove those acts. The issues are complicated, but PHCC has been cautiously supportive of the IRA since much of that program flows to plumbing and HVAC contractors.

MH: What is the climate from your constituency? In other words, what are you hearing about this new election cycle—positivity, negativity or a wait and see approach?

VALENTINI: Positivity but also wait and see. PHCC must be vigilant on workforce policy as the new government may reconsider industry-recognized apprenticeships which risk watering-down training by compartmentalizing it into credentialing—contractors need skilled workers with a holistic skillset, not workers who are certified in a handful of specific tasks.

MH: How do interest rates come into play here?

VALENTINI: Lower interest rates bode well for real estate, which in turn bodes well for new construction, service, and remodeling work.

MH: From what I recall, Trump’s 1^st term was pro-trades? Do you have any indication this will continue?

WHITE: While President Trump’s first term had support from the trade’s rank and file, the Industry Recognized Apprenticeship Rule received more negative public comments than perhaps any other rule. Those negative comments came overwhelmingly from those same rank and file workers. Polling data throughout the election shows that the President-elect enjoyed substantial support from skilled blue-collar workers, but his future actions must support their jobs in the workforce.

MH: Does anything change on the union front?

VALENTINI: That’s a sensitive question. I would venture to say that Teamsters and other labor groups that withheld endorsements are reading the room when it comes to their rank-and-file.

MH: Please give examples of any changes/addendums/eliminations to specific policies moving forward, if applicable. (i.e. Clean Water Act)

VALENTINI: We can expect to see legislation on tax reform and energy in the new Congress. Tight margins particularly in the House will require all Republicans to be on board to pass anything.

WHITE: It is possible that the new administration will review regulations that are currently in litigation, like the residential gas furnace rule, and perhaps decide to pull back those rules for revisions. This could also affect decisions on whether to appeal adverse court rulings such as the recent ruling against the DOL Overtime Rule.

The Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors—National Association (PHCC) has announced the promotion of PHCC Educational Foundation Executive Director Dan Quinonez to PHCC Chief Operating Officer.

“I am pleased to announce this expanded role for Dan, as he continues his position as the Executive Director of the PHCC Educational Foundation,” said PHCC CEO Cindy Sheridan. “Drawing on his strong association management background, strategic mindset, leadership and creative direction, Dan will assist me in driving strategy and operations for the association; he will also oversee most revenue-generating areas of the organization.”

Since joining the Foundation on June 1, 2023, Quinonez has overseen the release of new plumbing and HVAC training materials, an increase in annual giving campaign donations, expanding the PHCC Academy® to develop more post-apprentice courses, the addition of new scholarships for veterans and Latino applicants, and an industry joint effort to train the U.S. competitor for the WorldSkills competition.

“I am truly honored to take on this new role and am excited to collaborate closely with CEO Sheridan, the PHCC team, and all of our members,” said Quinonez. “Together, we will enhance operational performance and remain dedicated to delivering exceptional value to our members, all while upholding the highest standards of quality and service in everything we do.”

Before joining the PHCC Educational Foundation, Quinonez served as a Senior Account Executive for the Kellen Company, a prominent Association Management Company. In this capacity, he served as the Executive Director for the Roof Coatings Manufacturers Association (RCMA) and the Professional Electrical Apparatus Reconditioning League (PEARL), playing a pivotal role in expanding and promoting these organizations through various initiatives, including education, outreach, technical advancement, and advocacy.

His other roles included working with the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) in Washington D.C., where he advocated for the home building community. In addition, he served in the United States Army Reserves for 12 years.

Quinonez’s appointment was part of an internal structural reorganization of PHCC that is designed to increase membership, sponsorship opportunities and industry exposure.

“I am excited to head into 2025 with this new organizational structure and am looking forward to a new phase of growth for PHCC,” said Sheridan.

Plumbing and HVACR apprentice contests in Birmingham are set to showcase top talent this year.

Falls Church, Va. — A strong line-up of top apprentices will have their opportunity to shine at the PHCC Educational Foundation’s National Plumbing and HVACR apprentice contests. This two-day competition will take place during CONNECT 2024, October 7-10, at the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Center, Birmingham, Alabama.

These contests — always a popular attraction on the trade show floor — will highlight the skills and expertise of the nation’s top apprentices in the plumbing and HVACR industries and allow attendees to watch the contestants’ progress.

Apprentices from across the country will come together to showcase their expertise and compete for the title of the nation’s top apprentice. This event offers apprentices not only a chance to demonstrate their skills but also an opportunity to network with fellow apprentices and industry professionals.

Plumbing apprentices must rough-in a bathroom – including the drain, waste and vent lines, a toilet, a sink and shower. HVACR apprentices must demonstrate their knowledge with a written test, plus their hands-on skills with brazing, pressure testing, refrigerant recovery and diagnosing and repairing a package unit system.

The evening of Tuesday, October 8, will kick off with a pep rally on the tradeshow floor to energize and support the contestants. University of Alabama sportscaster Chris Stewart will emcee the event. After the contest concludes on Wednesday, October 9, participants and attendees are invited to celebrate at the awards breakfast on Thursday, October 10. This event will honor the top performers and offer a final chance to honor the hard work and dedication of the next generation of industry leaders.

“We are very proud to sponsor these contests each year,” says Kevin Tindall, PHCC Educational Foundation chair. “Not only do they provide a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for star apprentices to demonstrate their skills on a national stage, but the contests also support the Foundation’s mission by helping to generate awareness for local apprentice programs, boosting interest in the fields of plumbing and HVAC and attracting new recruits to the industry.”

For more details, visit phccweb.org/CONNECT. This site offers information on education sessions, speakers, exhibitors, registration and hotel reservations, as well as the many attractions of Birmingham, Alabama, known as “The Country’s Best Kept Secret.” Register for CONNECT 2024 here.