Andrew Wilson and Alex Phrommany were honored as the 2024 Plumbing Apprentice of the Year and HVAC Apprentice of the Year, respectively. 

Meet the 2024 PHCC Plumbing Apprenticeship and the 2024 PHCC HVAC Apprenticeship contestants.

Plumbing and HVACR apprentice contests in Birmingham are set to showcase top talent this year.

Most of the employees we hired on a full-time basis worked out quite well. Unfortunately, a few of them did not.

As a PHVAC apprentice, I was required to purchase my own tools. With no help from my employers, I remember some mighty thin paychecks. I never forgot the financial strain that caused, so when I became a business owner, I set up tool purchasing accounts for employees and created a supportive work environment.

Invariably, new technologies are emerging to solve age-old risks associated with water supply and sprinkler system backflow devices.

The program is designed to offer opportunities to those who may not consider college an option and are seeking an opportunity to achieve a meaningful career. 

Mike Guglielmo, a 30-year industry veteran, is currently working on a radiant heating project for a 9,200-square-foot luxury log cabin, located about 40 minutes outside of Easton, Pennsylvania, across the New Jersey border.

Roughly 250 Nexstar member contractors use the NexTech Academy program consistently for training new plumbers and technicians. The academy averages about 400 to 500 graduates a year.

Should you hire apprentices instead of journeymen and master plumbers? Some contractors are finding more long-term success by building their team from the ground up.