The 2008 HVACR and Plumbing Instructor Workshop welcomed over 320 attendees to its 2008 workshop in Lansdowne, VA, March 5-7.

The workshop featured numerous HVACR and plumbing-specific technical sessions, with topics ranging from technology updates, new training tools, “green” water heating to assessing student learning and connecting students with careers. In addition to opportunities for networking and the fun “I’ve Got an Idea” session, the workshop brought together 33 company and 9 sponsor exhibitors with tabletop exhibits.

The opening session featured two speakers: Dana C. Daugherty from the Employment and Training Administration (ETA) in the U.S. Department of Labor and Angie Garcia Falconetti from the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Vocational and Adult Education (OVAE). Daugherty discussed how the apprenticeship system directly addresses the workforce shortage in the HVACR and plumbing professions. He also dove into future plans for the ETA which includes the use of technology in talent development and responding to the needs of the industry. Falconetti explained some of the goals of OVAE, which include accessibility and affordability to post secondary and career education, as well as to provide workforce development and foster career pathways in high growth industries, such as construction.

In the closing session, Tim Lawrence, Executive Director, SkillsUSA, provided a legislative update. This included information on how to advocate for career and technical education on Capitol Hill due to the elimination of Perkins funding in the President’s proposed FY2009 budget.

Associations serving as co-sponsors of the event included: Air Conditioning Contractors of America; Air Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration Institute; Council of Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Educators; Heating, Air Conditioning, Refrigeration Distributors International; North American Technician Excellence; PHCC Educational Foundation: Plumbing, Heating, Cooling Contractors National Association Educational Foundation; Refrigeration Service Engineers Society; Air Movement and Control Association International, Inc.; Indoor Air Quality Association; National Air Duct Cleaners Association; National Air Filtration Association and Radiant Panel Association.