Retaining skilled employees is vital for plumbing and HVAC contractors. High turnover leads to disruptions and decreased customer satisfaction. To address this, many are finding innovative ways to encourage retention, including unique approaches from new companies.

“American Plumber Stories,” a YouTube docuseries hosted by Craig Morgan, aims to promote plumbing as a career. Directed by Spencer Brown of Pfister, it has become a cultural symbol for the plumbing community, inspiring trade school teachers to incorporate it into their curriculum and receiving positive feedback for its impact.

For the first time, the show has ventured outside the United States, creating great excitement about reaching an international audience—especially the next generation of plumbers.

The new building will house all plumbing and electrical classrooms and labs, while the existing building will expand its HVAC and Commercial Refrigeration lab space.

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

The skilled trades industry is evolving as more Gen Z workers choose trades over college. Efforts to obtain certifications through learning modules and hands-on training are becoming integrated into daily work routines, helping tradespeople build long-lasting careers and enabling businesses to succeed.

"American Plumber Stories" aims to promote the plumbing trade to the next generation of professionals. 

Twelve schools to receive support to create and update plumbing and HVAC labs.

Bradford White has pledged $125,000 over the next five years as a storefront partner in the “home improvement” category. 

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.