Maryland PHCC Summer 2019

MESSAGE FROM THE PHCC NATIONAL PRESIDENT
AN EDUCATION WITHOUT END
I’ve seen the value of a good education since my early days
in the HVAC business … and even though I’m president of
my company — and president of PHCC—National — I’m still
a student.
In the fast-paced and constantly changing world of plumbing
and HVAC, education does not end with a degree or industryrecognized
credential. Even master professionals must hone
their craft with continuing education, and that’s why so many
— from apprentices and journeymen to project managers and
business owners — rely on PHCC and the PHCC Educational
Foundation for educational opportunities.
Local Resources
A great place to start is your own PHCC chapter, where you
can tap into valuable lessons from member contractors,
instructors and manufacturers. For many years, for instance,
I taught a “Troubleshooting Electrical Controls for AC
Systems” class for PHCC of Massachusetts, traveling up and
down the east coast to share my expertise with journeymen
and contractors. As another example, the PHCC of Charles
River (Massachusetts) chapter just had a representative from
Rinnai lead a teardown class on boilers.
Manufacturers are another excellent source for education.
I’ve often taken advantage of the educational opportunities
offered by PHCC Corporate Partner Viega. Its training
facility in Nashua, New Hampshire, offers a host of classes
for everyone from beginning installers to experienced
engineers, including one- to two-day classes on the entire
Viega product line. As another example, I just attended a
class on ZoomLock® flame-free refrigerant fittings; it was
offered by the manufacturer at my local supply house.
Of course, changes in our industry are forcing continuing
education … no matter how old you are! Just look at the new
regulations on refrigerant management. With the coming
of mildly flammable A2L refrigerants, safety is paramount,
and proper training on how to remove and add the new
refrigerants is a must.
This is a great example of how those just entering the
profession are educated on new technologies and, in this
case, new regulations from the start, but we veterans need to
know the differences. You’re never too old to learn … and you
may just need it more than the younger guys!
New from PHCC—
National
Of course, phccweb.org
continues to be your best
resource for the latest
educational offerings from
PHCC—National. Our newly
formed Education & Training
Department is your one-stop
shop for business management
offerings, including webinars,
seminars and more. I’m really
excited about the fact that
PHCC members and their
PHCC National
President,
Ken Nielsen
employees can go to this site for everything they need. We’re
also hoping to partner with other trade organizations — the
Refrigeration Service Engineers Society (RSES), for example
— to add to our class offerings. The “product list” for this
new department is continually expanding, so check back
frequently!
And, I hope you’re making plans to attend CONNECT 2019,
Oct. 2-4 in Indianapolis. We’re already developing a “formula”
of best ideas, innovations and initiatives for CONNECT 2019
— one that’s certain to put you on the inside track in your
market — and we’re excited to announce our two keynoters:
Richard Tretheway, a plumber and HVAC contractor who
regularly appears on “This Old House” and its spin-offs, as
well as notable economist Connor Lokar of ITR Economics,
who will help you analyze the business cycle changes that
are sure to reshape the future of your business.
Our members consistently refer to CONNECT as the “must
come to” event of the year! See for yourself; go to phccweb.
org/connect and watch our new two-minute video on what
your peers have to say about the value of CONNECT … and
then experience it for yourself. See you in Indy!
PHCC—National Association President Ken Nielsen also is
president of AccuAire, Inc., in Reading, Massachusetts.
Nielsen’s message is reprinted from PHCC-National’s
Solutions magazine, Spring 2019. Solutions is the official
magazine of the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors –
National Association
“You’re never too old to learn … and you may just need it more
than the younger guys!”
6 Maryland PHCC Contractor Summer 2019