This February, the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors—National Association (PHCC) Educational Foundation announced that it expanded its online training catalogue to enhance crucial communication and sales skills that will help build high-performance individuals and fuel business growth. The new p-h-c industry courses are offered through the PHCC Academy. 

What sets this set of courses apart is their focus on soft skills. There are three different offerings based on respective industry roles:

• Technicians / Apprentices: designed for individuals who interact with customers and work in team environments to master customer service excellence, workplace communication, and professional relationship skills essential for success.

• Human Resources / Leadership: geared for managers, HR professionals and team leaders who want to master the essential skills needed to build high-performing teams, foster respectful workplaces, and drive organizational success.

• Administrative / Office Staff: intended for office employees who want to elevate their professional capabilities and deliver exceptional service.

“Properly educating and training technicians, apprentices and office professionals for industry-focused work is incredibly important,” said Dan Quinonez, executive director of the PHCC Educational Foundation. “But if they don’t possess the confidence to communicate and negotiate effectively, they risk falling behind in their careers.”

That need reflects a broader shift across the PHC industry. Over the past decade, contractor businesses have become increasingly professionalized and sales-driven, placing greater emphasis on how technicians interact with customers.

“The industry itself has really evolved over the last 10 years,” Quinonez said. “It’s becoming more professionalized and more sales-oriented. Sales are driving the success of our contractor businesses.” Along with that shift has come a change in perception. Technicians are no longer viewed solely through a technical lens, but as customer-facing professionals responsible for building trust and communicating value.

“There’s an effort to change the perception of the industry away from the toolbox and pickup truck image,” Quinonez said. “Today, you have well-trained, articulate technicians who not only know what they’re doing, but can communicate effectively with customers.”

According to Quinonez, that combination of technical expertise and communication skills is critical to long-term business success.

“Ultimately, that leads to bigger sales and longevity with the customer,” he said.

The ServiceSkills courses are structured as short, self-paced lessons featuring interactive video training and real-world applications. They are available across three primary tracks: technicians and apprentices, human resources and leadership, and administrative or office staff.

In addition, the Foundation has adapted QSC’s in-person “Seal the Deal” training into an online format. The course is designed to help HVAC technicians and plumbers confidently present solutions, handle pricing conversations and navigate customer concerns in the field.

By bridging the gap between technical expertise and customer interaction, the expanded training aims to support both individual career advancement and overall business performance.

Quinonez emphasized that ongoing education is a defining characteristic of the trades—and one that continues to drive industry growth. “What’s unique about our industry is you never stop learning,” he said. “If you’re hungry, there’s always going to be opportunities to grow.”

That continuous learning mindset, he added, is what separates high-performing contractors from the rest. “At the end of the day, the folks who thrive are the ones who invest in training, coaching and building a strong business model,” Quinonez said.

All courses are available individually or as part of bundled offerings for companies enrolling multiple employees. Participants receive a certificate of completion upon finishing each course.

For more information, visit phccacademy.org/courses/.