By John Zink, Vice President of Development and Communications
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 19, 2026
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Nicole Urizzo
800-533-7694
urizzo@naphcc.org
Bridging Life and Leadership Skills in the Trades: PHCC Educational Foundation Introduces New “Rising Leaders” Course
By prioritizing personal growth and development, Rising Leaders lays the groundwork for long-term professional success
FALLS CHURCH, Va. (October 19, 2026) – 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 (PHCC) Educational Foundation announced today 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.
“We teach them to be great plumbers and HVAC technicians, but good communication, personal finances, and self-management are just as vital skills to a long-term and successful career,” said Bertolino, who developed the original version of the Rising Leaders course with the PHCC of Virginia chapter. “Rising Leaders acts as a bridge between the Foundation’s technical courses and soft skills courses, giving young tradespeople the guidance, mentorship, and support they need to make better decisions for themselves.”
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 (RLS).
“Supporting the trades means looking beyond today’s jobs to the people who will guide this industry in the years ahead,” said Susan Labadie, President of RLS. “Rising Leaders provides talented professionals with the tools, connections and confidence to be successful. We are proud to stand with PHCC in investing in the next generation of industry leaders.”
Drawing a comparison between young individuals starting trade careers and professional athletes entering the league, John Zink, Incoming Executive Director of the PHCC Educational Foundation, noted: “Professional athletes routinely receive guidance and training regarding financial literacy, decision making, and the demands of a professional career. Young people entering the trades experience a similar shift, suddenly navigating the challenges of fully managing their own personal finances for the first time and being dropped into work challenges with serious professional responsibilities. This course prepares them with the essential competencies needed to advance in the trades and navigate this phase of their personal lives.”
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, please visit: phccacademy.org/courses/
About PHCC Educational Foundation
The PHCC Educational Foundation, a partnership of contractors, manufacturers, and wholesalers, was founded in 1987 to serve the plumbing-heating-cooling industry by preparing contractors and their employees to meet the challenges of a constantly changing marketplace.
For more information, visit www.phccfoundation.org.
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