Phcc Educational Foundation
PHCC Educational Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that delivers DOL-recognized online apprenticeship training, in-person management workshops, scholarships, and national competitions to grow the U.S. and Canadian plumbing and HVACR workforce, funded by contractors, manufacturers, and wholesalers.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1986
- HeadquartersDumfries, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Phcc Educational Foundation does
The PHCC Educational Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established in December 1986 by PHCC (Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors—National Association) members to advance the plumbing and HVACR workforce through education, training, assessments, and scholarships. The foundation operates PHCC Academy, an online learning management system (powered by MyAbsorb) that delivers DOL-recognized related technical instruction covering Workforce Readiness, Pre-Apprentice, four-year Online Plumbing and HVACR Apprenticeship, Fast Track to Service & Repair, Finance Management, and newly added Communication and Sales Skills courses. The catalog is paired with a four-year textbook series and simulation training distributed through Cengage, instructor-led in-person workshops (Creating Super Foremen Workshop and Essentials of Project Management Class at Milwaukee Tool headquarters), a suite of free Excel-based contractor business tools (Overhead & Profit Calculator, Lost Time Calculator, Revenue Forecasting, Risk Analysis Matrix, Financial Ratios Check-Up), and a national competition portfolio (National Plumbing Apprentice Contest, National HVAC Apprenticeship Competition, SkillsUSA National Plumbing Championship).
The foundation serves a stratified customer base spanning students and career changers, apprentices and technicians, contractor business owners and project managers, and second-chance candidates including formerly incarcerated individuals, with primary audiences concentrated in the U.S. and an expanding footprint into Canada. Revenue mechanics are non-profit-typical: charitable donations and endowment contributions from a 70+ member Board of Governors (contractors, manufacturers, and wholesalers such as Rheem, NIBCO, Oatey, Kohler, McWane, Milwaukee Tool, Bradford White, Delta, Ferguson, Home Depot Pro, HomeServe, A.O. Smith, and Bernzomatic), corporate scholarship sponsorships ($180,000 in 2026 across 75 awards), modest training and contest fees, and textbook royalties from the Cengage distribution partnership. Distribution combines the proprietary online platform, PHCC state-chapter approvals and recruitment, manufacturer-hosted in-person workshops, SkillsUSA state-level competitions, and correctional-facility program delivery via state chapter partners.
Phcc Educational Foundation firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Phcc Educational Foundation
- Legal name
- PHCC Educational Foundation
- Website
- https://phccfoundation.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1986
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- PHCC Educational Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that delivers DOL-recognized online apprenticeship training, in-person management workshops, scholarships, and national competitions to grow the U.S. and Canadian plumbing and HVACR workforce, funded by contractors, manufacturers, and wholesalers.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Phcc Educational Foundation industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Workforce Development and Trade Apprenticeship Education
- NAICS
- Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Educational Support Services (611710)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Workshops, Webinars & Live Masterclasses (MPACALAD)
Keywords
Where Phcc Educational Foundation is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Dumfries
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices4 records
Markets served
Phcc Educational Foundation business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Donations and Contributions: The foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization primarily funded through donations from contractors, manufacturers, and industry partners. Major donors form the Board of Governors with endowment fund contributions.
- Training and Course Fees: Revenue from apprenticeship training courses, with extension fees for course completion extensions ($250 per 6 months). Some programs are free (Workforce Readiness sponsored by SupplyHouse.com). Contest registration fees ($300 for apprentice contestants) with travel cost reimbursement from sponsors.
- Textbook and Materials Sales: Sale of plumbing and HVACR textbooks (four-year textbook series) through Cengage partnership. Available in hardcopy and ebook formats with discounts for PHCC Chapters.
- Scholarship Program Sponsorships: Corporate sponsors fund scholarship awards to students pursuing plumbing-HVAC careers. Sponsors receive recognition and association with workforce development initiatives. 75+ scholarships totaling $180,000 awarded in 2026.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Workforce Readiness Course - Free |
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | Apprenticeship Course Extension - $250 per 6 months |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | National Apprentice Contest Registration - $300 |
| Subscription | Annual | Scholarship Awards - $1,500 to $10,000 |
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Overhead & Profit Calculator - Free |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Textbooks - Available through Cengage |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels8 records
Phcc Educational Foundation product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The PHCC Educational Foundation delivers education, training, assessments, and scholarships for the plumbing and HVACR workforce through its PHCC Academy online learning management system. The foundation offers pre-apprentice, apprenticeship, fast-track, finance management, and soft skills courses, complemented by in-person management workshops, national apprentice contests, SkillsUSA championships, and a scholarship program funded by industry sponsors.
Product overview
PHCC Educational Foundation operates a multi-product educational platform for the plumbing-heating-cooling (p-h-c) industry workforce, spanning every career stage from pre-apprentice entry through contractor management. The core platform is PHCC Academy, an online learning management system (powered by MyAbsorb) hosting courses including Workforce Readiness, Plumbing Pre-Apprentice, HVACR Pre-Apprentice, Online Plumbing Apprenticeship, Online HVACR Apprenticeship, Fast Track to Service & Repair (Plumbing and HVACR), Finance Management, and newly launched Communication and Sales Skills courses (licensed from ServiceSkills and adapted from QSC). Supporting the online curriculum are printed and digital textbooks (a four-year plumbing and HVACR textbook series, plus Cengage simulation-based HVAC training), Plumbing & HVAC Assessment Testing, and a Do It Yourself Apprentice Program toolkit. The Foundation also delivers in-person management training: the Creating Super Foremen Workshop and Essentials of Project Management Class (both hosted at Milwaukee Tool). Workforce financial support is provided through a Scholarship Program (75 awards, $180,000 in 2026), while skills demonstration is supported via National Plumbing Apprentice Contests, National HVAC Apprenticeship Competitions, and the SkillsUSA National Plumbing Championship. Business management tools include the Overhead & Profit Calculator, Lost Time Calculator, Revenue Forecasting Spreadsheet, Risk Analysis Matrix, and Financial Ratios Check-Up. A distinctive program is the Inmate Pre-Apprenticeship Re-Entry Program (in partnership with PHCC of Indiana) for second-chance career training. Together these products form a comprehensive, multi-modal educational ecosystem — from digital self-paced courses and simulation software, to textbooks, in-person workshops, contests, scholarships, and business calculators — all aligned to the p-h-c industry.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- PHCC Academy: Online plumbing and HVACR apprenticeship training platform offering standardized learning for company training with course materials developed by industry experts.
- Super Foremen Workshop
- Essentials of Project Management Class
Products and services
- PHCC Academy Online Learning Platform Online training delivery platform (powered by MyAbsorb) hosting the Foundation's eLearning courses, enabling apprentices and technicians to take courses at their own pace, track progress, and complete assessments.
- Plumbing & HVACR Workforce Readiness Course
Quantifiable outcome
- $4 MILLION in scholarships awarded to students and apprentices
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Phcc Educational Foundation
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Phcc Educational Foundation technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
Phcc Educational Foundation partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
32 partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.
- PHCC (Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors—National Association)coreThe foundation was established by PHCC members in December 1986 with initial pledges of $100,000+ from contractor founders. PHCC National Association provides organizational infrastructure, state chapter network, and member recruitment for foundation programs.
- Milwaukee ToolcoreHosts and sponsors the annual Super Foremen Workshop and Essentials of Project Management class at Milwaukee Tool headquarters in Brookfield, Wisconsin. Provides facilities, sponsorship support, and commitment to investing in trades workforce development.
- SupplyHouse.comcoreSponsors the free Workforce Readiness Course enabling individuals to learn about the plumbing-HVAC industry at no cost. Course registration active for 90 days.
- A.O. SmithmajorSponsors the free Overhead & Profit Calculator tool. Provides multiple scholarship awards ($1,500-$10,000 range) for apprentices and students pursuing plumbing-HVAC careers. Two awards available annually.
- BernzomaticmajorNew major sponsor funding 50+ scholarships through 2029. Eighteen awards in 2026 including three $5,000 scholarships. Founded 1876, acquired by Worthington Enterprises in 2011. Leading torch and fuel brand celebrating 150th anniversary in 2026.
- Bradford White CorporationmajorCorporate sponsor providing five scholarship awards annually. Major donor to Board of Governors supporting foundation endowment fund.
- Delta Faucet CompanymajorProvides six scholarship awards annually. Major donor to Board of Governors and contest sponsor for national apprentice competitions.
- Ferguson Cares FoundationmajorProvides four scholarship awards annually (including HOLA Business Resource Group awards). Major wholesale distributor in plumbing-HVAC industry.
- Home Depot PromajorProvides four scholarship awards annually. Major sponsor for apprentice contests and SkillsUSA championships. Leading distributor to professional contractors.
- HomeServemajorNine scholarship awards available in 2026. Home repair service provider supporting workforce development in plumbing-HVAC trades.
- RIDGIDmajorProvides three scholarship awards annually. Leading manufacturer of professional hand tools and power tools for plumbing-HVAC trades.
- InSinkEratormajorProvides two scholarship awards annually. Emerson brand manufacturing food waste disposers and hot water dispensers.
- State Water HeatersmajorProvides one scholarship award annually. Manufacturer of commercial and residential water heaters supporting industry education.
- SkillsUSAcoreNational partnership of students, teachers and industry ensuring skilled workforce. Foundation's Plumbing Technical Committee sets up, runs and judges the SkillsUSA Plumbing Championship. Annual national championship draws 7,000+ competitors.
- RheemcoreHeadline sponsor for national apprentice contests. Leading HVACR manufacturer funding competition and providing prizes. Major Board of Governors member.
- NIBCOmajorHeadline sponsor for national apprentice contests. Leading manufacturer of valves, fittings, tubing and water heaters. Board of Governors member.
- OateymajorHeadline sponsor for national apprentice contests. Manufacturer of plumbing repair and installation products. Board of Governors member.
- Tyler Pipe & CouplingmajorHeadline sponsor for national apprentice contests. Part of McWane family of companies.
- ZoellermajorHeadline sponsor for national apprentice contests. Manufacturer of pumps and pumping systems.
- KohlermajorSkillsUSA headline sponsor. Major Board of Governors member. Leading manufacturer of kitchen and bath products.
- McWanemajorSkillsUSA headline sponsor. Major Board of Governors member. Manufacturer of plumbing and industrial products.
- IAPMOmajorIndustry partner supporting SkillsUSA Plumbing Championship. International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials promoting public health.
- Cast Iron Soil Pipe Institute (CISPI)majorIndustry organization co-sponsoring SkillsUSA Plumbing Championship. Supports competition through materials and resources.
- Copper Development AssociationmajorIndustry organization co-sponsoring SkillsUSA Plumbing Championship. Promotes copper use in plumbing applications.
- Purdue University (Kirk Alter)coreProfessor Emeritus Kirk Alter serves as lead instructor for Super Foremen Workshop and Essentials of Project Management class. Expert in construction management with industry experience.
- ServiceSkillsmajorLicensed professional development courses for PHCC Academy. Short, focused lessons with interactive video training for technicians, HR/leadership, and administrative staff.
- Quality Service Contractors (QSC)majorPartnership to adapt 'Seal the Deal' course for online delivery. Sales training course for HVAC technicians and plumbers.
- Cengage LearningcoreDistribution partner for apprentice textbooks and simulation training. Provides textbooks in hardcopy and ebook formats with PHCC Chapter discounts available.
- PHCC of Indiana ChaptermajorPartnered with foundation to launch HVAC and plumbing re-entry program for inmates at Hamilton County Jail. Adapts PHCC Academy curriculum for correctional facility delivery.
- PHCC of South DakotamajorHost of 2026 National HVAC Apprenticeship Competition during state convention. Contractors Dan Hartman and Brett Kaltvedt led redesign of competition format.
- U.S. Department of Labor, Office of ApprenticeshipcoreRecognizes PHCC Academy courses as reasonable option for apprentice training. Federal partner enabling apprenticeship program approvals and standards.
- Western Michigan University (Adam Manley)majorAdam Manley, PhD, Associate Professor of Career and Technical Education developed Workforce Readiness Course curriculum.
Scale indicators11 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Phcc Educational Foundation competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- NCCER (National Center for Construction Education & Research): NCCER provides standardized craft training, credentialing, and curriculum for the construction industry, including plumbing and HVAC — a near-direct comparable in trade-school curriculum, accreditation, and assessment offerings.
- Electrical Training Alliance (NECA/IBEW): Joint NECA/IBEW apprenticeship program providing standardized electrical craft training — directly comparable apprenticeship model with DOL recognition, similar blended online/in-person delivery, and strong industry sponsor ecosystem.
- American Welding Society (AWS): AWS delivers welding education, certification, and curriculum — closely parallel to PHCC's trades training, assessment, and credentialing model for an adjacent skilled trade.
- Home Builders Institute (HBI): HBI delivers pre-apprenticeship, apprenticeship, and certification programs for residential construction trades, including plumbing and HVAC — comparable nonprofit model with multi-modal training and strong industry partnerships.
- International Training Institute (ITI) for the Sheet Metal Industry: ITI runs apprenticeship and training programs for sheet metal/HVAC technicians — directly comparable apprenticeship model with DOL-recognized related instruction, similar sponsor-driven structure.
- HVAC Excellence: HVAC Excellence accredits HVACR programs and certifies technicians — closely aligned with PHCC's HVACR pre-apprentice and apprenticeship curriculum and its assessment/testing product.
- Refrigeration Service Engineers Society (RSES): RSES provides HVACR technician education, certification, and continuing education through online and in-person channels — directly comparable in target audience (HVACR technicians) and certification-driven curriculum.
- Tooling U-SME: Tooling U-SME delivers online manufacturing and skilled-trades training to technicians — directly comparable online LMS model and B2B/B2C training catalog for the manufacturing and construction workforce.
- United Association (UA) Department of Training: The UA trains plumbing and pipefitting apprentices nationwide through union training centers — directly competing with PHCC Academy for plumbing apprentices, with a similar DOL-recognized related-instruction model but a union-labor focus versus PHCC's open-shop model.
Broad incumbents
- Associated Builders & Contractors (ABC): ABC is a national trade association running its own apprenticeship programs across multiple crafts including plumbing and HVAC — broader portfolio than PHCC but overlapping apprenticeship training model and sponsor ecosystem.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Phcc Educational Foundation social profiles
Digital presencePhcc Educational Foundation financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Phcc Educational Foundation leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles18 records
Phcc Educational Foundation funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Phcc Educational Foundation M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Phcc Educational Foundation
What does Phcc Educational Foundation do?
The PHCC Educational Foundation delivers education, training, assessments, and scholarships for the plumbing and HVACR workforce through its PHCC Academy online learning management system. The foundation offers pre-apprentice, apprenticeship, fast-track, finance management, and soft skills courses, complemented by in-person management workshops, national apprentice contests, SkillsUSA championships, and a scholarship program funded by industry sponsors.
Is Phcc Educational Foundation a public or private company?
Phcc Educational Foundation is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Phcc Educational Foundation founded?
Phcc Educational Foundation was founded in 1986. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Phcc Educational Foundation based?
Phcc Educational Foundation is headquartered in Dumfries, United States, in the North America region.
How does Phcc Educational Foundation make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Donations and Contributions are the primary driver. The others are training and Course Fees, textbook and Materials Sales and scholarship Program Sponsorships.
Who are Phcc Educational Foundation's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are NCCER (National Center for Construction Education & Research), Electrical Training Alliance (NECA/IBEW), American Welding Society (AWS), Home Builders Institute (HBI), International Training Institute (ITI) for the Sheet Metal Industry, HVAC Excellence, Refrigeration Service Engineers Society (RSES), Tooling U-SME and United Association (UA) Department of Training. Associated Builders & Contractors (ABC) is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Phcc Educational Foundation have an API?
No public API is recorded for Phcc Educational Foundation.
What industry is Phcc Educational Foundation in?
Phcc Educational Foundation's product category is Workforce Development and Trade Apprenticeship Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPACALAD, Workshops, Webinars & Live Masterclasses. Its NAICS code is 6115 and its SIC code is 8200.