| Member Highlights |
| Special thanks to all who are attending career fairs at high schools across the state. Indiana PHCC was well represented at the Johnson County Career Fair by Executive Director, Chuck Gillespie and Board Secretary, Valerie Butler of P.I.P.E. Also in attendance was Indiana PHCC member, RT Moore. Vicki Johnson of Johnson Family plumbing and Reed Moistner of Blue Collar Plumbing have also attended career fairs and had Indiana PHCC material available for the attendees to receive. Let us know when you are representing your company and Indiana PHCC at other career fairs. |   |
| Business Insight |
| Recruiting top talent takes a combination of creativity and diligence. Technology makes it easier than ever to publish your job postings to a broad audience—but to really connect with quality candidates and drive excitement about the role and your company, you have to find ways to stand out from other employers. Learning effective recruitment strategies can help you immediately captivate job seekers, create a memorable first impression and hire candidates who meet your needs. What is a recruitment strategy? A recruiting strategy is a plan of action to help you successfully identify, attract and hire candidates for your open roles. These are starting points that can help you recruit employees. They range from basic methods like posting on job boards to more advanced strategies like creating an employee referral program. You can implement recruiting strategies at every step in the hiring process. Why you need hiring strategies Filling positions can be challenging, especially for highly skilled roles that require licensure. By expanding your hiring strategies, you can reach more prospective job seekers who could be a good match for your role. Using multiple strategies when you recruit employees can offer these benefits: Increased number of applicants who meet your requirements Shortened hiring times Increased company awareness Reduce hiring costs Better matches for the position, which can improve employee performance and retention Try the following 6 strategies to help when you’re recruiting employees. 1. Treat candidates like customers: A candidate’s first impression of your company is critical. It’s important to make them feel like you’re just as excited about getting to know them as they are about being considered for the role. A good recruiting technique is to treat interviewees the same way you treat your customers. 2. Use social media: Social media can be a fantastic recruiting tool. Social recruiting allows you to share job postings with your entire network and encourages two-way conversations. Even if the people you reach aren’t interested in the role you’re hiring for, they may know someone who’s a good fit. Plus, by sharing photos and videos from company events, your workplace and day-to-day office life that align with your employer brand, you can give potential applicants a glimpse into your company culture. 3. Implement an employee referral program: Good employees often make a habit of surrounding themselves with other highly capable professionals. Consider providing incentives for referrals such as bonuses and contests so you can create excitement around the program. 4. Create compelling job descriptions: Writing an attention-grabbing and thorough job description is one of the most important aspects of the hiring process. Include the essentials. Include the core responsibilities, hard and soft skills, day-to-day responsibilities and an explanation of how the position fits into the organization. Highlight your culture 71% of job seekers say it’s extremely or very important to see details about a company’s culture, so take the opportunity to highlight your values and your people. 5. Check resumes posted online: On certain job boards, employers can quickly find candidates by entering a job title or skill and a city, state or zip. You can narrow down results by criteria like years of experience, education level and more. Indiana PHCC is looking to revamp its career page to help with this process. 6. Include peers in the interview process: Sometimes the ideal person to interview a candidate is someone already working in the same or a similar role. This employee already knows what it takes to excel in the position and can verify whether candidates have the skills and experience needed to do the job well. Current employees can also give an accurate description of day-to-day experiences and help candidates better understand what they can expect if hired. When you need to recruit employees and find great people, you have to be persistent and willing to think outside the box. Using these recruitment strategies can help you discover passionate professionals with the necessary skills who are ready to join your team. |
Effective July 1, 2024 the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (IPLA) will require all NEW apprentice licenses to be submitted online by the apprentice, not the school. Your apprentice(s) are now responsible for securing and renewing their own license(s) online with the IPLA.
THIS IS THE PROCEDURE FOR GETTING A NEW APPRENTICE LICENSE
THIS IS THE PROCEDURE IF THE APPRENTICE CURRENTLY HAS AN APPRENTICE LICENSE
If your apprentice(s) has a current apprentice license it will expire October 1, 2024. The license will be available to renew July 1, 2024. If renewals are submitted after October 1, 2024, 11:59 EST, there will be a $50 late fee in addition to the standard renewal fee of $10 and online processing fee.
The Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors — National Association’s (PHCC) Educational Foundation is proud to announce the winners of the national plumbing and HVAC apprentice contests. The contests were held October 25th & 26th in Cleveland, Ohio on the tradeshow floor during the PHCC—National Association’s CONNECT 2023 event. A total of twenty-one plumbing and eleven HVAC apprentices from across the nation took part in the contests.
• First Place: Cody McDonald of Van Contracting, Inc. in Columbia City, Indiana He was sponsored by the International Code Council.
• Second place: Nick Vasknetz of Local 525 in Las Vegas, Nevada. He was sponsored by Home Depot Pro.
• Third Place: Joseph Hardin of Local 333 in Lansing, Michigan. He was sponsored by Bradford White.
The plumbing apprentices were required rough-in a bathroom system. The set-up includes a toilet, sink and shower, complete with supply, waste and vent lines, plus cleanouts and extra features designed to test the contestants’ knowledge and skills. The test set-up includes a variety of pipe materials – cast iron, copper and PVC and corresponding joining methods.
A dedicated team of contractor volunteers arrived two days before the competitions to assemble the competitor test benches, distribute the materials and supplies and set up the testing areas. They monitor the competitions, evaluate the apprentices’ work and provide constructive feedback on each competitor’s performance following the event.
The contests are made possible by the generous support of several industry sponsors who provide monetary support and in-kind material and tool donations. Sponsors for the 2023 competitions include, with headline sponsors appearing in bold: AB&I Foundry; A.O. Smith; Bradford White Corp.; BNP-Plumbing & Mechanical Magazine; Cast Iron Soil Pipe Institute; Contractor Magazine; Copper Development Association; Delta Faucet Co.; Emerson Copeland; Home Depot Pro; Hudson Technologies; International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO); the International Code Council, Kohler Company; Legend Valve; Milwaukee Tool*; Moen; North American Technician Excellence (NATE); NIBCO INC.; Oatey; NIBCO INC.*; PHCC Academy; PHCC-National Auxiliary, Rheem HVAC and Water Htg. Division*; RIDGID*; Sharkbite; Sioux Chief Manufacturing Co.; State Water Heaters; Tyler Pipe & Coupling; and Zoeller Pump Company. Companies marked with an asterisk sponsored both the plumbing and the HVAC competitions.
“I am proud of the Foundation volunteers and staff who pull these contests together,” said Foundation Chair Kevin Tindall. “These are complicated events between getting the apprentices here and then having all the materials, tools, equipment, volunteers and judges ready to go – and all in a different city each year. It is amazing to see it all come together to create a great experience for the apprentices who are competing.”
This award is given annually to an individual who has made significant contributions to the plumbing, heating, air conditioning and/or mechanical contracting industries in Indiana and to the PHCC association and who has been an effective leader.
This year’s winner is a longtime advocate of the industry and the association. He grew up in the business and learned from his father the love of the plumbing industry. He has continued to step up when there is a job to do to further the industry and association. His love of the p-h-c industry led him to teach others through the apprentice school. His teaching style of personal examples to explain complicated techniques has earned him a national award and high marks as an educator. Many of those he has taught have gone on to own successful plumbing companies. He continues to accept new roles within his company as they grow and expand to other markets. Despite his schedule he continues to teach locally and serve as a strong role model. Please congratulate the 2023 Indiana PHCC Contractor of the Year, Paul Hallam, Williams Comfort Air, Indianapolis.
Pictured with Paul is IN PHCC President Gabe Ritter.
The Speedway SuperFleet Mastercard program has been rebranded to the 7-Eleven Commercial Fleet Mastercard program. This rebranding will nearly double the locations available to receive fuel rebates with acceptance at Speedway and 7-Eleven eligible locations, while still providing businesses with the same great features they enjoy today.
In support of this rebrand, cardholding members will notice some changes with their accounts:
• SAME GREAT REBATE – WITH A BIGGER NETWORK! – The current rebate plan will not change, but now accounts will earn savings on fuel at 7-Eleven locations in addition to Speedway locations. The new savings network will grow to over 8,000 locations coast-to-coast. Find locations at: www.fleet.7-eleven.com/locations.
Attend a One-Day Risk Management Seminar to Help Your Business: May 17, Embassy Suites, Noblesville
As a business owner, you know that risk is something to constantly be watching for — risk knows no calendar, sets no appointments, and is always present. Federated Insurance® has the resources to help, and would like to offer you an exclusive invitation to our complimentary One-Day Risk Management Academy SM (RMA) seminar.
The One-Day RMA brings you and fellow business owners together for group discussions that highlight industry-specific ways for you to continuously improve your company’s risk management practices.
This is an opportunity to network with fellow business owners and take control of the risks your business may face before they occur. In addition, you will strengthen your understanding of the role you play in ensuring all employees follow safe work practices, which can affect your bottom line.
Remember, risk management starts at the top — with you. What can you do to take your business to the next level while ensuring a safe, profitable workplace for you and your employees?
By attending this seminar, you’ll have the chance to take actionable improvement items with you to benefit your business, such as:
• Learning the importance of risk management for businesses
• Understanding your association member benefits
• Introducing you to Federated DriveSAFESM telematics
• Evaluating workers compensation risks
• Helping you explore your surety needs
• Focusing on business succession and employee retention
View our Risk Management Academy video and promotional flyer to learn more about what to expect at these sessions. Registration is limited to the business owner and one additional representative of the company. If you have questions regarding the event, please feel free to contact Federated at 1DayRMA@fedins.com.
The Statutes and Rules that govern the Indiana Plumbing License can be found here. We have compiled an easy cross reference guide to help you. Click here for the guide.