Honoring those who play a crucial role in developing tomorrow’s workers, the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors—National Association (PHCC) named Paul Hallam, an outstanding educator at Mechanical Skills, Inc., in Indianapolis, Indiana, its 2022 Plumbing Instructor of the Year. The award – sponsored by PHCC Corporate Partner Milwaukee Tool – was presented last week at PHCCCONNECT2022 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Michael Lorenzen accepted the award on Hallam’s behalf.)

An experienced classroom instructor, the transition to online instruction in recent years required some “out-of-the-box thinking,” announced PHCC—National Joel Long during the awards ceremony. While most online courses are self-paced and teacherless, Mechanical Skills created a face-to-face Zoom environment to mirror a conventional classroom experience. In addition to teaching technical aspects, instructors also must get creative to pique interest, encourage participation, and motivate their students.

In that spirit, Hallam created a Facebook group, encouraging students to share photos highlighting on-the-job accomplishments and “you gotta see this” moments. On this platform, he includes fun photos and links to enhance the learning experience and maintain engagement.

Hallam communicates regularly with his students via email and social media and has established a strong personal rapport with them. He begins his classes sharing real-life experiences and encourages his students to share theirs.

“The engagement is remarkable,” says Hallam’s supervisor. “I am always impressed by the number of students who stay after class each week to have additional conversations and thank him for his efforts.” It is that leadership and dedication to students and the plumbing industry that make Hallam most deserving of this award.

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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
Milwaukee Tool, founded in 1924, is a global leader in delivering innovative solutions to the professional construction trades that increase productivity and safety. Milwaukee® is known for their world-leading M12™, M18™, and MX FUEL™ cordless systems, the ground-breaking performance of their cordless innovations, safety solutions, battery-powered outdoor power equipment, jobsite lighting and clean-up, time-saving accessories, and innovative hand tool and PACKOUT™ Modular Storage products. The company is dedicated to delivering a steady stream of advanced, trade-specific solutions.

Milwaukee Tool is a Brookfield, Wisconsin-based subsidiary of Techtronic Industries Co. Ltd. (TTI) (HKEx stock code: 669, ADR symbol: TTNDY). For more information on the full line of Milwaukee® products, please call 1-800-SAWDUST or visit milwaukeetool.com.