eNews - Texas PHCC eNews

Industry News

Online Apprenticeship Programs and Training Now Available

In partnership with our National PHCC Education Foundation, PHCC Texas is excited to to offer online training in Plumbing and HVACR via the PHCC Academy! All PHCC Academy courses are offered through a professional, education-focused, web-based Learning Management System (LMS) that is easy to access and use. From workforce readiness training to formal, DOL-approved apprenticeship programs, the PHCC Academy allows students to take control of their own learning at their own pace on a schedule that works for both employee and employer. The comprehensive curriculum is designed by contractors, for contractors, and course offerings ensure aspiring professionals in Plumbing and HVACR can access quality training anywhere.

Visit https://phcc-tx.org/page/Academy to view the full article online.

Looking for an in-person apprentice program?

We are now accepting applications for Spring enrollment into the PHCC Texas Apprenticeship Program, administered in partnership with the Construction Education Foundation. This program is approved by the U.S. Department of Labor, enabling students to qualify for enhanced incentives from the TSBPE in meeting licensing requirements, and includes both classroom and hands-on training in state-of-the-art training labs.

Our next cohort begins February 26, and apprentices will be led through the four-year curriculum via four full-day classes per quarter.

Upcoming 1-A course in Coppell, Texas
February 26-20, 2024 | 7 AM - 5:30 PM

Apply by February 15th to ensure your enrollment! Reach out to allison@phcc-tx.org to get your application started today.

Visit https://phcc-tx.org/page/APPRENTICESHIP to view the full article online.

Don't forget to renew!

With a rich history, PHCC Texas has continuously served as a pillar of support and advocacy for its members, promoting high professional standards and fostering industry excellence. Your commitment has been integral to our collective success, and we are thrilled to share some exciting updates as we look ahead to a dynamic 2024.

Thank you for your ongoing dedication to our industry. Together, we will continue to shape the future of our profession, foster innovation, and ensure the success of our members.

Be sure to also participate in our membership survey by February 9th. Your insights will be crucial in guiding our board's discussions during our upcoming strategic planning session. This session will be instrumental in charting the course of our association and determining the direction we take in the coming years.

Visit https://phcc-tx.org/page/MEMBERSHIP#join to view the full article online.

Updated Policies Effective for 2024 Courses

To streamline processes and get more accurate headcounts for courses, our cancellation policy for CE courses has recently changed. We appreciate your understanding and look forward to your continued participation in our courses. Please click here to review the updated policy, which is now effective for courses being held in 2024.

Visit https://phcc-tx.org/page/policies to view the full article online.

Brushing Up on the OSHA Top 10

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Top 10 list accounts for the most frequently cited standards following inspections of businesses and worksites by federal OSHA. This helpful list can be used as a guide to learning what common risks to watch out for, and accessing vital information to help avoid devastating — and costly — work injuries or fatalities.

OSHA inspections across the nation are completed at both the state and federal levels. In 2022, over 69,000 OSHA inspections have occurred, resulting in more than 133,000 violations. Keep reading to review the top violations top avoid becoming a part of these statistics.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/txp-enews/articles/index.asp?aid=815376&issueID=100110 to view the full article online.

Education

Resolutions for the New Year

Creating New Year’s resolutions in the beginning of the new year is a great tradition, but have you considered making them for your business? Consider these ideas to help you get started on the right foot in 2024. Read more for tips on retaining employees, protecting against the loss of a key employee and evaulating succession plans.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/txp-enews/articles/index.asp?aid=815377&issueID=100110 to view the full article online.

TSBPE Resource Hub

The Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners has been working diligently to improve processes, communicate updates that impact plumbing licensees in Texas, and revise Board Rules. With so much new information coming down the pike, we've compiled these updates online for you!

New! Ask Kevin: TSBPE is among the first of state agencies to use AI chat support to help users find information on the TSBPE website. Information Specialist, Kevin, has been trained on all TSBPE policies and rules as well as Texas State plumbing license law. If you have a question about anything related to the TSBPE or plumbing in the State of Texas, chances are that you’ll find the answer you’re looking for here.

How to submit fingerprints when you can't get to IdentoGo

Visit https://phcc-tx.org/page/tsbpe to view the full article online.

Pay Discussions

Question: Our HR employees have access to other employees’ confidential information, such as pay. One HR employee is talking to non-HR employees in our company about other employees’ pay. Are we allowed to prevent her from sharing other employees’ pay? I thought we weren’t allowed to prevent employees from discussing pay.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/txp-enews/articles/index.asp?aid=815378&issueID=100110 to view the full article online.

Legislative Updates

Annual Legislative Review: Webinar Recording

Chuck White and Mark Valentini of National PHCC’s government relations team provided their annual review of 2023 and a 2024 outlook of legislative and regulatory trends impacting p-h-c contractors. Fuel choice and gas ban policies at the federal and state level continue to be the top priority for National PHCC, with the rise in gas ban policies at the state and local level potentially shifting the market toward heat pump appliances.

Visit http://send.naphcc.org/link.cfm?r=yeUFYTaijYxHmLKEHoa8KQ~~&pe=jWviiFAyiRsCKgeoXjTFcZrajWQfBJcBYUuBRE_WcfO5-oblcG3mjzSl577qDuPETqnf2flPzUDm_ZWFewAuLg~~&t=58V_hWYdY9jQST5gXzckiQ~~ to view the full article online.

Regulatory Alert: HFC Refrigerants

National PHCC reminds all its HVAC and refrigeration contractors that the EPA will be implementing the next step in the phase down of HFC refrigerants on Jan. 1, 2024. After the first of the year, the allocation of HFC’s will go down another 30% for a total reduction of 40% against the baseline production quantity.

Contractors should be engaging with their vendors to plan for future supplies of these refrigerants in order to ensure a smooth continuation of operations. In conjunction with this transition, it is becoming increasingly important to recover and reclaim refrigerants at the end of existing equipment life. Recovered HFC refrigerants are in demand and may be a source of revenue for contractors as the markets transition to new refrigerant products. Communication with your trusted industry partners and suppliers is key to future success.

In case you missed it, PHCC members can view a recording of November's webinar covering these refrigerant changes. You will need to sign into National PHCC's portal with your member profile, so email education@naphcc.org if you have not set up your account.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/txp-enews/articles/index.asp?aid=815353&issueID=100110 to view the full article online.

Upcoming Events

North Texas Chapter: Lunch & Learn

Tuesday, January 30th

2029 Westgate Drive #120 | Carrolton, TX 75006
Ask Linda: Smart Leaves of Absence Policies
Learn More and Register Online

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/txp-enews/articles/index.asp?aid=815358&issueID=100110 to view the full article online.

TSBPE Board Meeting

Wednesday, January 31st

10 AM

Attend in Austin or Participate Online

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/txp-enews/articles/index.asp?aid=815418&issueID=100110 to view the full article online.

Gulf Coast Chapter: Casino Night 2024

Friday, January 26th
Cadillac Bar
Admission includes Casino Cash, Appetizers, Fajita Dinner Buffet, Dessert, Drink Tickets and Cash Bar.
*Sponsorships Available*
Register Online

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/txp-enews/articles/index.asp?aid=815359&issueID=100110 to view the full article online.

San Antonio Chapter: February Membership Meeting

Thursday, February 8th

1 PM

Learn More Online Here!

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/txp-enews/articles/index.asp?aid=815360&issueID=100110 to view the full article online.

San Antonio Chapter: Sporting Clays Tournament

Thursday, February 29th

National Shooting Complex

Learn More Online Here!

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/txp-enews/articles/index.asp?aid=815361&issueID=100110 to view the full article online.

Gulf Coast Chapter: SheBuilds Houston C3

Thursday, March 21 | 9 AM
at M.O. Campbell Educational Center
C3 and Aldine ISD are partnering up to put hand tools, power tools, and other building materials into the hands of 1,500 young women in grades 7 – 12 so they can experience what it takes to work in construction in a fun and safe environment. Construction professionals will host exhibition booths where students can have a hands-on experience to learn about different types of tools and trades.
Register Online

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/txp-enews/articles/index.asp?aid=815356&issueID=100110 to view the full article online.

Gulf Coast Chapter: Lunch Meeting

Wednesday, March 27
11:30 AM to 1 PM

Learn more here!

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/txp-enews/articles/index.asp?aid=815385&issueID=100110 to view the full article online.

Gulf Coast Chapter: ASPE Product Showcase

Wednesday, April 3rd
4:30 to 8:30 PM

Sam Houston Race Park - Pavilion Centre

Learn more here!

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/txp-enews/articles/index.asp?aid=815386&issueID=100110 to view the full article online.

PHCC Texas Annual Conference

Mark your calendars and save the date for July 24-26, 2024, in Plano, TX – an event that promises to build on the momentum and take our collective journey to new heights.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/txp-enews/articles/index.asp?aid=815362&issueID=100110 to view the full article online.

Benefits

Call A Doctor Plus: Teladoc Telemedicine

Finding the best employees – full-time, part-time, or contract labor – is tougher than ever. The newest PHCC Texas member benefit, stand-alone Teladoc Telemedicine, allows you to take advantage of a more healthy, present, and loyal workforce – the incredible PHCC-members-only pricing is only $10/month/family. To learn more, contact our benefit representative, Michael Lerman.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/txp-enews/articles/index.asp?aid=815354&issueID=100110 to view the full article online.

PHCC Texas Member Exclusive: ExxonMobil BusinessPro Program

Fueling solutions for business: streamline how you manage your company’s fuel expenses. The more your employees fuel at Exxon and Mobil, the more they maximize your rebates.

For questions and/or to start an application, call (443) 668-8425 or email Juan Munoz.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/txp-enews/pdf/PHCC_Texas_ExxonMobil_Rebates.pdf to view the full article online.

Canon Partner Program: Powering P-H-C Contractors with Trusted, Affordable Technology

“Best People and Best Practices” deserve the best technology. With over 300 Texas PHCC members, reliable technology should be available to streamline processes and simplify the nature of the business.

Visit https://cdn.ymaws.com/phcc-tx.org/resource/resmgr/files/PHCC_-Canon_Catalog.pdf to view the full article online.

[Flyer Download] PHCC Texas Plumbers are Preferred Plumbers

Home and business owners go to great lengths to minimize damage and ensure their plumbing systems are safe, efficient, and sustainable. When exploring options for installations, repairs, or upgrades, maintain peace of mind by hiring licensed. While there's no guarantee that everything will go exactly as planned, hiring a licensed professional will provide increased assurance of protection.

Members of PHCC Texas are licensed by the State of Texas, and the public can be confident that they will be employing someone with the necessary skills and commitment to high standards.

Visit https://phcc-tx.org/blogpost/2021392/484173/PHCC-TEXAS-PLUMBERS-ARE-PREFFERED-PLUMBERS to view the full article online.

Everything You Need to Strengthen Your Business — Now and in the Future

As a member of the PHCC community, you plug into a powerful network of valuable resources and contractors at the local, state and national level — plus our own PHCC Educational Foundation — offering the knowledge, tools, programs and services you need to succeed.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/txp-enews/pdf/PHCC-TX_2021_Member_Benefits_Flyer_RENEW_Today.pdf to view the full article online.