PHCC Educational Foundation Introduces New Rising Leaders Course
To equip the next generation of trade professionals with the tools to succeed both on the job and in their personal life, the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors — National Association Educational Foundation announced the upcoming launch of its Rising Leaders course. This course is the newest addition to the PHCC Academy’s online curriculum, a comprehensive platform for HVAC and plumbing apprentices at all stages of their career.
The inspiration for the course stemmed from real-world observations by industry instructors, including PHCC National Vice President Tony Bertolino. While existing Academy courses and apprenticeship training focus on technical trade knowledge and advanced business concepts, many emerging professionals face challenges with essential everyday skills such as financial literacy, credit management, written communication and time management. This course will help young trades workers establish professional decorum and good work-life balance from the very start of their career.
The Rising Leaders course will be delivered in a self-paced online eLearning format, which is structured into eight core instructional units spanning from time management and conflict resolution to communication, teamwork, leadership and project planning. It stands out from existing business and communications courses offered through the Academy as it focuses first on self-awareness, disciplined actions and making intentional choices and then focuses on applying these strategies towards becoming a company leader.
For example, the course will cover setting SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-Bound) goals and identity-based habits to drive focus, before advancing to key interpersonal skills like active listening, negotiation and conflict resolution.
The new Academy offering was made possible through major support from PHCC associate member and program sponsor Rapid Locking System.
Each module features interactive skill checks, unit assessments and a final exam. Additionally, the program incorporates supplementary skills assigned by employers or supervisors, allowing contractors and local PHCC state chapters to customize training so it can be taught virtually or a in a cohort-style session to fit specific regional or individual workforce needs. To date, Virginia and North Carolina have launched the Rising Leaders courses in their states.
To learn more about the PHCC Academy’s courses and how to enroll, visit phccacademy.org/courses.
