WASHINGTON — The Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association (PHCC) was part of a select group of plumbing, heating, and cooling industry representatives who participated in a Sept. 14 meeting at the White House and discussed the importance of tax reform, infrastructure needs, and, most importantly, workforce development.

The group stressed that plumbing, heating, and cooling industry leaders are eager to be an integral part of developing and implementing solutions. The meeting was a joint collaboration facilitated by the American Supply Association and PHCC.

“We were so pleased to meet with chief policy makers to emphasize the critical nature of our industry’s workforce shortage and discuss ways to prepare our young people to enter our industry through increased pathways to success while still in high school,” said Laurie Crigler, national association president-elect, PHCC. “Our workforce and future workforce are critical to maintain the nation’s health and to expand the American economy. Our industry has wonderful opportunities, but we cannot find enough qualified individuals with the necessary skill sets to fill our needs.”

In response to this need, the industry group offered the following as possible solutions: Jump start training by providing applied technology training in high schools, hence enabling students to leave high school as second- or third-year apprentices; support states establishing accredited plumbing programs in the high schools across the country; include plumbing, water, and sewage systems in any future federally funded infrastructure projects; and include construction issues in the department of labor task group on apprenticeship training.

The meeting at the White House is the latest step in PHCC’s ongoing efforts in advocating for workforce development, one of the key areas addressed at PHCC’s June  Legislative Conference. PHCC will continue to focus on this important issue at its annual conference, CONNECT 2017.

For more information, visit www.phccweb.org. 

Publication date: 10/9/2017

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