PHCC Sponsors Workforce Summit in New Orleans

As part of its efforts focus attention on the critical shortage of skilled plumbing and HVACR industry workers and develop a plan for the future, the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors—National Association (PHCC) sponsored a workforce summit Jan. 23 in New Orleans, La.

Approximately 40 PHCC members, union representatives, educators and government officials attended the two-hour meeting. Those participating discussed current ways that workers are being recruited and trained in Louisiana, which faces a severe worker shortage following Hurricane Katrina. They also shared ideas on how to attract and educate workers in the future. Also, Gerry Kennedy of the PHCC Educational Foundation provided an update on resource materials available for training plumbing and HVACR technicians to industry standards.

During an introductory presentation at the summit, PHCC President Jim Finley of C.N. Finley, Inc., New Orleans, explained that nationally, the plumbing and HVACR industry needs more than 100,000 workers each year. And in Louisiana, jobs for plumbing and HVACR technicians are expected to increase by 13 percent between now and 2014. “With these types of statistics, it is extremely important that everyone involved with recruiting and training future workers in all regions of the country work together to solve the worker shortage,” he said. “That’s why we’re setting up meetings in several areas to talk about what can be done.”

Tim Horst of the Gulf Coast Workforce Development agreed. “All the trades are going after the same population,” he said. “For the construction industry to get their share of students, all the construction trades need to be focused in the same direction.”

Communicating the right message, reaching the correct people and taking personal responsibility also were emphasized during the summit. John Easley of the Louisiana Community and Technical College System said, “We need to get the word out that plumbing and HVACR technicians have more than a job, they have a career with great opportunities. Efforts need to be coordinated in order to get students into the programs.”

Jerry Payne, the Louisiana PHCC’s representative to the Louisiana State Plumbing Board, said, “Not only do we need to make students aware of opportunities in the trades, but parents need to know about these opportunities, too. For example, we need to find ways of showing parents that their kids can get free postsecondary training.”

Henry Heier of the MCA of New Orleans emphasized that everyone must take responsibility. “The trades need workers with good people skills and a good attitude,” he said. “Whenever you go to a meeting, talk to someone about going into the trades. Everyone should make it their personal responsibility to talk to someone about a career in the trades.”

As a next step in Louisiana, the group will meet again to develop a plan of action to train the workers that are needed to build and maintain the infrastructure needed in the state and region. On a national basis, future workforce summits are planned for North Carolina, Ohio and Oklahoma.

For more information, contact PHCC at (800)533-7694 and/or visit www.phccweb.org.