The student recipients will receive a $3,500 award and up to six awards will be granted.

Just over 10 years ago, when I graduated from college with my shiny new journalism degree in hand, never in a million years did I think I would be writing about the skilled trades — first HVAC, now plumbing.

In my last two columns, I discussed the business case for why one-on-one meetings are the single best management tactic to improve retention and results, proving the benefits through numerous sources of data. But what does a good one-on-one look like?

For MCAA’s new President Brian Helm, technology is not just a passion, but a way of life. Helm is the president of Freeport, Illinois-based Mechanical Inc., part of the Helm Group of companies, which operates in the healthcare, industrial, education, aquatic, water/wastewater treatment, government, high rise, energy and mission critical sectors.

This inaugural nationwide program will recognize students at hundreds of SkillsUSA chapter high schools across the country for their dedication to pursue a career in residential wiring, building trades and renovations, HVAC or plumbing.

Last month, I presented information about challenges companies face to retain and develop their employees.

American Standard and GROHE supported the Somerset County Vocational and Technical High School in Bridgewater Township, New Jersey. By providing the latest plumbing innovations, LIXIL aims to help students receive the proper training necessary to pursue a plumbing career in today’s modern world.

Crumbling infrastructure and workforce shortage are top concerns for industry.

The U.S. is seeing about 10,000 baby boomers (those born between 1946 and 1964) retire per day. That means every day we lose knowledge from our industry due to retirements. The fact that so much of the construction industry is experience- or knowledge-based work makes this fact especially sobering, but the challenges don’t end there.

Stop fishing and start hunting!