PHCC Industry Summit Results in Collaboration, Solutions on Workforce Development, Education, Regulatory Issues

Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors—National Association leaders and the association’s industry partners and major sponsors exchanged ideas and solutions for mutual benefit during the recent PHCC Industry Summit, held in Dallas, Texas. The summit was hosted by Rheem Manufacturing, a PHCC corporate partner.

The group of industry leaders spent the day exploring ways to better collaborate on crucial industry initiatives, namely regulatory issues, advocacy, workforce development, education and training, and sustainability.

Regulatory updates – particularly trends in decarbonization/electrification – were a key takeaway for summit participants. PHCC—National Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Chuck White led a discussion on how PHCC and its industry partners can work together to ensure that contractors and their employees have the information needed to effectively advocate for reasonable regulatory mandates and prepare for upcoming changes.

During the summit, attendees discussed how to set contractors up with financing options for customers interested in purchasing new HVAC equipment. Other topics addressed included how manufacturers can help develop information on heat pump water heaters (the benefits of new products, when to expect return on investment, etc.) for contractors to pass on to customers, as well as how they can improve hands-on training opportunities through PHCC state and local chapters.

In the area of workforce development, several PHCC partners and sponsors shared some transformative efforts, including supporting an apprentice program for at-risk female high school students, working directly with school guidance counselors to promote the trades, and more.

PHCC is building on the energy and commitment exhibited during the summit, moving to implement many of the solutions discussed, as well as making arrangements for its next industry summit.