FALLS CHURCH, Va. (Oct. 22, 2026) – Ben Gorham, instructor at the Knoxville PHCC Apprentice School in Tennessee, has been named the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors—National Association (PHCC) 2026 Plumbing Instructor of the Year in recognition of his 26 years of teaching and his commitment to helping apprentices build the skills, knowledge, and confidence to succeed in the plumbing profession. Sponsored by PHCC Strategic Partner Milwaukee Tool, the award was presented recently during PHCC CONNECT 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Since he began teaching plumbing in 2000, Gorham has developed a passion for helping others succeed in the trade. A patient and dedicated instructor, he creates quizzes and hands-on activities to reinforce lessons and works to ensure his students fully understand the material. He also gives every student his personal cell phone number so they can reach him with questions …. even years after they have completed his classes.

Gorham consistently has looked for ways to make plumbing instruction more engaging and practical. At the Knoxville PHCC Apprentice School, he designed and installed a teaching lab that uses three clear piping lines with different drainage grades to visually demonstrate how pitch affects the movement of waste. He also uses the school’s three-story lab to demonstrate types of venting as well as common venting installation mistakes and their consequences.

One of his most ambitious projects involved turning the three-story lab into a complete construction project, taking apprentices through every phase from design and blueprints to supply orders, installation, and finish. Gorham coordinated with local inspectors to conduct a mock inspection and worked with fellow instructors to incorporate code, design, and plan-reading instruction throughout the project.

Gorham’s impact extends well beyond his own classroom. He took on the Knoxville school’s Construction Math Program for first-year apprentices who do not pass the math entrance test, teaching and tutoring at least 30 new apprentices in August to prepare them for the first year of school. According to PHCC of Tennessee Executive Director Beth Killen, the program has significantly reduced attrition among apprentices who might otherwise leave because they struggled with math.

Apprentices consistently recognize Gorham for his knowledge, professionalism, and willingness to help. One student said Gorham “always makes sure everybody understands what’s going on” and finds different ways to explain concepts, while another described him as the “best thing about this school year.”

Gorham has embraced technology as another way to reach apprentices. Through his online Plumb It Right Academy, he helps apprentices across the country prepare for journey-level exams and has helped students in states including Alaska, Washington, Michigan, New Mexico, Nevada, California, and Arizona. He also makes his lectures available on YouTube.

His commitment to sharing knowledge wherever it can help others reflects his belief that instructors should never stop learning themselves. Gorham has said: “Once you think you’ve learned everything, start over, because the process never stops.”

Says Killen: “If you looked up the definition of ‘instructor,’ I would be surprised if the name Ben Gorham did not appear. Ben is a consummate professional who happened to stumble on a natural gift – teaching.”

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About PHCC
The PHCC—National Association, formed in 1883, provides legislative advocacy, education, and training to approximately 3,500 plumbing and HVACR businesses and 65,000 technicians. Members of PHCC have access to a wide variety of services designed to increase their professionalism, grow their business, and improve profitability. For more information about PHCC, visit phccweb.org.

About Milwaukee Tool
For over 100 years, Milwaukee Tool has led the industry with innovative solutions that redefine performance, productivity, and safety for professional trades. Fueled by an unwavering commitment to its users, Milwaukee Tool pioneers breakthrough technologies, products, and services that empower tradespeople to excel in their work and return home safely each day. Milwaukee is dedicated to delivering a steady stream of advanced, trade-specific solutions from its global research, design, and development facilities located across southeast Wisconsin. Milwaukee^® is a subsidiary of Techtronic Industries Co. Ltd. (TTI), a world leader in cordless technology. For more information about Milwaukee Tool, visit milwaukeetool.com.