The Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors—National Association (PHCC) presented its annual Plumbing Instructor of the Year Award to Eric Sell, with Mock Plumbing and Mechanical of Savannah, Georgia, on Oct. 1 at PHCCCONNECT2020 Virtual Conference.

Mock has been in business for 70 years and is recognized as one of the largest plumbing and mechanical contractors in the region. Its employees are some of the most experienced and well-trained professionals in the industry.

Sell, a project manager for Mock, contacted the Georgia Academy in 2016 regarding new programs to support their existing training. They chose the PHCC Education Foundation’s online plumbing apprentice program. The state program currently has 10 students enrolled.

Sell teams up with local high schools to encourage students to consider a career in plumbing. He works directly with the school’s guidance counselors on enrolling interested candidates into the pre-apprentice program. Sell also actively participates in local apprenticeship activities throughout the community.

During the awards ceremony, Sell was recognized for his exceptional skills as an instructor and dedication to future plumbers. Special mentions were given to his efforts to incorporate hands-on teaching in the classroom, while building camaraderie among fellow employees and encouraging them to think “outside the box.”