The PHCC Educational Foundation has received national recognition for efforts to showcase the benefits of a career in the plumbing-heating-cooling industry, which faces an extreme workforce shortage.

The organization earned a 2017 Power of A Silver Award from the American Society of Association Executives for its national Workforce Awareness Campaign. Targeted to parents, students, educators and the transitional workforce, the goal of the campaign is to attract more than 100,000 workers to the PHC industry by 2020.

“Congratulations to the PHCC Educational Foundation and their partners for their efforts to enrich and strengthen lives,” said Sharon J. Swan, FASAE, CAE, and CEO of the American Society for Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics and chair of the judging committee. “Their initiative exemplifies how we work best when we work together and how associations have a positive influence on our everyday lives in every way.”

During the ongoing Workforce Awareness Campaign, the Foundation and the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors—National Association collaborated to develop various tools, templates and resources, many of which are available on a comprehensive online Workforce Development Resource Center.  In addition, the organizations recently expanded youth-oriented outreach via a new website (http://www.phccareers.com), new videos and social media channels.

The Workforce Awareness Campaign was recognized by ASAE for not only for helping to fill the PHC industry’s crucial skilled worker shortage today, but also for ensuring that the future of the industry is equipped with skilled workers who are dedicated to the health, safety and comfort of society and the protection of the environment.

PHCC Educational Foundation Chairperson Craig Lewis said: “We’re truly involved in strengthening careers, families, our workforce, systems, structures and the world … which is why we’re so proud of ASAE’s prestigious Power of A award; it truly recognizes the impact an association like ours can have on so many levels.”

“A key component of the campaign is to develop materials that members and chapters can customize for local markets,” said PHCC—National Association President Patrick Wallner. “We are so pleased with the success so far, as evidenced by the number of workforce recruitment programs that are being replicated across the country, and the expanded direct contact with prospective employees by members and chapters. This truly reflects the Power of an association like PHCC.”