Items Tagged with 'apprenticeship'

Winners Josh Vogt, Cody Green and Daniel Pritchett were sponsored by A.O. Smith, Moen and the Copper Development Association, respectively. 

Apprenticeship has long been the heartbeat of the plumbing and HVAC trades. But for today’s apprentices, training looks different than it did for their mentors and parents. With new online programs, flexible learning schedules, and updated curriculum that reflects the latest industry standards, apprentices are able to gain both the technical “booksmarts” and the on-the-job confidence needed to thrive.

Most crucial of all is developing a strong team of mentors who can help nurture aspiring technicians. This is often where the true value of an apprenticeship program is revealed. Most contractors have at least one veteran tradesperson about whom they would say, "I wish I had 10 of them!"

Gen Z is reshaping the workforce by opting for trades like plumbing instead of costly four-year degrees. With rising tuition and student debt, they’re seeking immediate job opportunities, which presents a tremendous opportunity for our industry. If you're not tapping into their potential, you're missing out.

In the trades, apprenticeships form the basis for skill development, but the concept should extend beyond entry-level roles to become a lifelong approach to leadership.

Andrew Wilson and Alex Phrommany were honored as the 2024 Plumbing Apprentice of the Year and HVAC Apprentice of the Year, respectively. 

Meet the 2024 PHCC Plumbing Apprenticeship and the 2024 PHCC HVAC Apprenticeship contestants.

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

Most of the employees we hired on a full-time basis worked out quite well. Unfortunately, a few of them did not.

As a PHVAC apprentice, I was required to purchase my own tools. With no help from my employers, I remember some mighty thin paychecks. I never forgot the financial strain that caused, so when I became a business owner, I set up tool purchasing accounts for employees and created a supportive work environment.