AMBLER, PA — Bradford White Corporation is expanding its workforce development efforts beyond technical training programs with the launch of a children’s book designed to introduce young readers to careers in the skilled trades, reflecting a broader industry push to address long-term labor shortages.
The Ambler-based manufacturer of water heaters, boilers and storage tanks announced the release of No Hot Water!? Plumber Paige to The Rescue!, a children’s book written by author Paige Knowles and illustrated by Rhiannon Duch. The book was developed through Bradford White’s Industry Forward® initiative, which promotes careers in plumbing and other skilled trades.
The publication follows Jules, a young girl who learns the importance of hot water and the role skilled trades professionals play in maintaining essential household systems after her family’s water heater stops working.
The project represents another step in Bradford White’s efforts to increase awareness of trade careers at an earlier age as employers across the construction, manufacturing and service sectors continue to face workforce shortages.
“Educating the next generation of skilled tradespeople has always been a priority for Bradford White,” Neal Heyman, the company’s senior director of marketing, said in a statement. “A children’s book is a creative and meaningful way to introduce young readers to the trades early.”
The book is the fourth installment in the Plumber Paige series, which Knowles launched in 2021 to explain plumbing concepts and skilled trades careers through children’s stories. Earlier titles focused on topics such as replacing showerheads, repairing running toilets and clearing clogged drains.
Bradford White said the initiative builds on existing workforce development programs under its Industry Forward banner. The company has previously partnered with nonprofit organizations and technical schools and has provided grants to organizations such as Explore The Trades, which develops educational materials for schools promoting career exploration in the trades.
In 2024, those efforts expanded to include resources for Spanish-speaking English-language learners and educational materials aimed at children ages 5 through 11.
“My goal with this book is to introduce younger generations to the skilled trades in a fun, approachable way while also helping people better understand how essential these industries are to our everyday lives,” Knowles said.
The release comes as industry groups, manufacturers and trade organizations increasingly focus on recruitment and awareness campaigns to encourage younger workers to consider careers in plumbing, electrical work, HVAC, construction and other skilled professions.
No Hot Water!? Plumber Paige to The Rescue! is available for purchase through Amazon.
Support the local news that supports Chester County. MyChesCo delivers reliable, fact-based reporting and essential community resources—free for everyone. If you value that, click here to become a patron today.