Greater Boston Plumbing Contractors Association’s Post

My teenage son is on the brink of becoming the third generation in our family to pursue a career in the trades. However, they are waitlisted for a two-year HVAC program, highlighting the paradox of an industry facing a severe technician shortage yet having barriers to entry for Canadians wanting to join the trades. The state of our industry has motivated me to write a series of articles on skilled trades for Plumbing + HVAC Magazine, supported by a survey designed to gather insights from trainers, tradespeople, and wholesalers from all walks of life. My goal is to speak with as many people as possible about the good, the bad and the ugly sharing perspectives from across Canada and beyond. Preliminary findings from my survey reveal a concerning stagnation: the challenges I faced entering the trade, including pressure from my high school guidance counselor to pursue university education instead of choosing a trade may still remain today. Addressing the skilled trades shortage requires listening to seasoned voices in the field, such as Alan Guant. With 40 years in the trades, five trade certifications, and two decades of teaching experience, Guant identifies a major barrier: the lack of understanding and appreciation for skilled trades among high school guidance counselors. He advocates for dedicated Skilled Trades Guidance Counselors in schools to offer informed, realistic career advice, drawing from firsthand experience. Guant also highlights the Trades Fundamentals Program at Durham College as a model worth replicating at the secondary level. This program offers students a hands-on introduction to various trades, potentially igniting interest and passion for these careers early on. Implementing such recommendations could significantly address the skilled trades shortage by transforming the education system to better support trades education and career paths. I encourage everyone to contribute to my survey. Your diverse perspectives will enrich this discussion, helping us craft solutions that truly address our industry's needs and pave the best path forward. Survey Link: https://lnkd.in/g9WxmpF4 #SkilledTrades #HVACLife #TradeSchools #SkilledWorkforce #TradesEducation #IndustryInsights #TradeCareerPath #VocationalTraining #HandsOnLearning #BreakingBarriers #NextGenTrades #WorkforceDevelopment #Craftsmanship #PathToSuccess #VoicesOfTheTrades

If you do the Level 2 plumbing as a home-study course, you’ll learn the theory at home, in your own time then come into the centre for practical training and assessments. This is an ideal entry route to the plumbing industry for anyone who can’t commit to the usual structure of full-time learning. https://ow.ly/wVn050RcSz4 #CityAndGuilds #Level2Plumbing #NewCareer #Plumbing #AbleSkills

Transform your future this summer! SWG Academy offers top-notch plumbing education aligned with the 2024 IAPMO Uniform Plumbing Code. Every student receives their own copy of this essential guidebook. Our comprehensive curriculum will empower you with the knowledge and skills needed for a successful career in plumbing. Enroll now and start your journey toward becoming a plumbing expert! Learn more at SWGAcademy.net #SWGAcademy #PlumbingEducation

One teacher is changing the path for kids in the trades. Evin Jarrett teaches 10-, 11-, and 12-year-olds elements of plumbing, carpentry, electrical work and masonry every day. Students are exploring careers and technology early. Evin Jarrett AKA "Dope Teacher" guides students through hands-on projects. Helping them master valuable skills that typically aren't taught until high school. Jarrett’s program, though technically a "career exploration" program. Offers students the chance to earn certifications. Engage with guest speakers from various trades. Gaining skills that are typically reserved for adults and building confidence in their abilities. The program fosters a collaborative and inclusive learning space. Helping students with diverse backgrounds and academic levels excel. The success of this initiative highlights the importance of integrating career and technical education into middle schools. It helps students make more informed choices about their future. Teachers like Mr. Jarrett are changing the game for the skilled trades. Let's continue supporting programs like Jarrett's that empower students and sets them up for long-term success! What more convincing do you need to join the movement for the trades. #skilledtrades #jointhetrades #bluecollar #STAC ↗ Hey, I'm Andrew I post every day at 8am est. ↗ I'm a skilled trades advocate. ↗ Check out our STAC foundation: https://lnkd.in/e75tyKva ↗ Join the movement Follow me Andrew Brown

This episode explores the value of degrees in #trades with Jessie Cannizzaro. Milestone Plumbing, Inc.

Why is education so important for student safety? This 2023 fire on Avery Hill road started when a student tried to make cheese on toast by placing a toaster on its side. 😐 Unsurprisingly, this started a fire in the toaster which spread to surrounding fittings. The fire was extinguished by the London Fire Brigade and there were no injuries, but there was significant damage to the surrounding kitchen area. When it comes to safety in student accommodation, clear and effective communication is key. For example, the fact that toasters aren't designed for sideway use. 😶 However, it’s not always easy. Everyone agrees that safety education is essential, but how do we effectively deliver it to ensure that students receive it? Simplicity of messaging is key. #educationisessential #eliminatecookerfires #regulationisminimumsafety

"One of the primary concerns is that trade education often lags behind industry needs, particularly with rapidly evolving technologies. Jason Grieb, partner/owner of Waterloo Energy Products, notes that many training programs have not been updated in decades, which hinders the preparation of apprentices for real-world challenges. Incorporating live fire-labs and practical hands-on training alongside traditional classroom education can bridge this gap effectively." Plumbing + HVAC Magazine explores this topical subject in this second article of the skilled trades gap series. Read more below. #SkilledTradespeople #TradesTraining

With a list of more than 500 residential plumbing skills, the idea of learning them all can be overwhelming! Using a strategy like career pathways can help break all those skills down into more bite-sized pieces! #Plumbing #TrainingTheTrades #TechnicianTraining

MAINTENANCE SUPERINTENDENTS ASSOCIATION EDUCATION PROGRAM Registration coming soon! The prerequisite to all courses in our program is "Introduction to Public Works".  This program is 8 weeks long and touches on most of the different career paths Public Works has to offer. We have 14 classes to offer.  They run 12 weeks each, are all online, and classes are $150.00 each with no additional costs for books, supplies, or transportation.  Classes are held on Zoom once a week and each class is approximately 30-45 minutes each week.   Registration for the upcoming semesters are: Winter Registration: Opens August 26, 2024 and closes September 13, 2024 at 5:00 PM PST. Classes will start the week of September 30, 2024, ending December 20, 2024.    Spring 2025 Registration: Opens January 6, 2025 and closes January 24, 2025 at 5:00 PM PST. Classes will start the week of February 10, 2025, ending May 2, 2025.     Registration and tuition can all be completed on our website using the registration button below (link also has detailed description of each class).   Please address your questions and concerns to Education Director Lory Warren at msaclass@outlook.com or call/text at 520-256-2007.   Register for Classes (opens 8-26-24) Class List Asphalt and Portland Cement Concrete Structures & Inspections Contract Administration Cost Estimating and Construction Math Inspections Introduction to Public Works Municipal and Urban Trees NPDES OSHA for Public Works Pavement Preservation Plans Interpretation Street Construction & Maintenance Supervision Traffic Control Standards GIVE YOURSELF THE GIFT OF EDUCATION Invest in your future. https://lnkd.in/eta2gfB4

There’s a change in the plumbing industry incoming from the Victorian Building Authority, and it's controversial due to a lot of registered and licensed plumbers believing the change is purely capitalistic. Whilst I understand there will be costs, I also feel introducing Continuous Professional Development (CPD) within the plumbing sector has the potential to elevate standards and eliminate non-compliant practitioners. Through compulsory ongoing education and training, professionals remain abreast of regulations and optimal techniques, thus enhancing the quality of their work. Nonetheless, it's imperative to institute CPD mandates equitably and efficiently to prevent undue burdens on genuine professionals. The changes are featured in this article, and also a link to the survey which all plumbing professionals will need to complete by 30th April 2024. #VBA #victorianbuildingauthority #masterplumbers #CPD #plumbing #plumbers #continuingprofessionaldevelopment #construction #building