FALLS CHURCH, VA — Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors—National Association (PHCC) and Milwaukee Tool have expanded their partnership through a significant investment in workforce development initiatives designed to attract, train and retain the next generation of plumbing and HVAC professionals.

As part of the expanded collaboration, Milwaukee Tool has elevated its support of PHCC to Strategic Partner status, reinforcing both organizations' commitment to strengthening the skilled trades workforce and helping contractors build the talent pipeline needed to meet future demand.

The enhanced partnership includes Milwaukee Tool's exclusive sponsorship of the PHCC Educational Foundation's Workforce Advocacy Video Initiative, a national campaign that will showcase career opportunities in the plumbing industry and encourage more students to consider careers in the skilled trades.

The initiative will feature Charlie Goede, the 2026 US WorldSkills plumbing competitor and former PHCC National Plumbing Apprentice Champion, whose progression from apprentice to international competitor highlights the career opportunities available through apprenticeship programs.

"Weakening the workforce pipeline remains one of the greatest challenges facing our industry," said Cindy Sheridan, Chief Executive Officer of PHCC. "Milwaukee Tool has demonstrated a longstanding commitment to advancing the skilled trades through education, training and industry partnerships. Their expanded investment will help us to continue creating opportunities for the next generation of plumbing and HVAC professionals in order to strengthen the future of our industry."

Partnership Builds on Long-Term Workforce Investments

Built on relationships with trade professionals, Milwaukee Tool develops products designed to improve jobsite safety, productivity and performance. The company also continues to invest heavily in workforce development through education, training and industry partnerships.

Milwaukee Tool invests more than $10 million annually in hands-on education and workforce development initiatives. In 2025, the company supported more than 600 apprentice graduations and donated more than $4.5 million in professional-grade tools and equipment to trade schools across the United States.

Those efforts are part of Milwaukee Tool's broader commitment to invest $200 million in skilled trades workforce development by 2030, expanding access to training, strengthening workforce pipelines and supporting long-term industry growth.

"Milwaukee Tool's success has always been rooted in the success of the skilled trades," said Scott Teson, Senior Vice President of Skilled Trades at Milwaukee Tool. "As we continue investing in the future of the industry, we're proud to deepen our partnership with PHCC and support the programs, training and workforce development initiatives that help attract and prepare the next generation of plumbing and HVAC professionals."

New Resources to Support Contractor Recruitment

The Workforce Advocacy Video Initiative will be promoted through PHCC and the PHCC Educational Foundation's communication channels, providing contractors, educators and industry stakeholders with resources they can use to recruit future plumbing and HVAC professionals and strengthen workforce development efforts nationwide.

For more information about PHCC partnership and sponsorship programs, contact PHCC Vice President of Business Development Elicia Magruder at [email protected].