AMBLER, PA — Bradford White Corp. has donated water-heating equipment and funding to plumbing and HVAC training organizations in Pennsylvania and five other states as manufacturers and trade groups seek to address persistent skilled labor shortages across the construction and mechanical trades.
The Ambler-based manufacturer said it donated 20 water-heating products to the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association (PHCC) Training Center in Aston, Pennsylvania, and the Western Montgomery Technical Training Center in Limerick, Pennsylvania.
The equipment will be used by students and apprentices for hands-on training in plumbing and HVAC systems, providing exposure to the types of products they are likely to encounter in the field.
In addition to the equipment donations, Bradford White provided financial contributions to PHCC chapters in Massachusetts, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Texas, and Louisiana. The funding will support local workforce development and educational programs, according to the company.
The donations come as contractors across the plumbing, heating, and cooling industries continue to report difficulty recruiting and retaining skilled workers, prompting increased investment in apprenticeship programs, technical education, and workforce development initiatives.
Bradford White made the contributions through its Industry Forward program, which focuses on promoting careers in the skilled trades and supporting training programs for future workers.
Neal Heyman, senior director of marketing at Bradford White, described workforce development as a strategic priority for the company.
“Part of our mission is investing in these organizations and the incredible work they do equipping up-and-coming plumbing and HVAC professionals,” Heyman said.
Industry groups have increasingly emphasized expanding training capacity as a means of addressing labor shortages driven by retirements, growing demand for skilled trades workers, and declining participation in vocational careers over several decades.
Elicia Magruder, vice president of business development for the PHCC National Association, said the donations will help training programs provide more practical instruction.
“Support like this helps provide students, apprentices and contractors with the resources they need to build skill and confidence,” Magruder said. “We’re able to deliver a much more immersive and comprehensive educational experience for current and aspiring trade professionals.”
Bradford White manufactures water heaters, boilers, and storage tanks and is headquartered in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.
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