"Every dollar we spend on pre-construction planning will return $4 to $6 in additional profit." That simple statement from instructor Kirk Alter at the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors — National Association (PHCC) Educational Foundation's recent Super Foremen Workshop opened a larger discussion with the attendees about the role they should play at their company.

"Too often, whichever foreman is available today is the one assigned to the project that is starting up tomorrow. They are handed a pile of documents to review and expected to get crews working immediately without knowing a thing about what they are building. That's crazy!" exclaimed Alter. "Instead, let's pull in the best foreman with experience on that project type to talk with the estimator and project manager in the weeks before boots hit the ground. Together they can determine the most efficient and profitable plan and have the crews working at top productivity from day one."    

The workshop was held July 22 and 23, and hosted by A. O. Smith University (AOSU) from their training facility and broadcast studio in Ashland City, Tennessee. Purdue University Professor Emeritus Kirk Alter led the program over Zoom, with the AOSU studio allowing him to move as he would in a physical classroom, teaching from slides or hitting the whiteboard to show the attendees how the numbers add up.

A. O. Smith University supported the program through use of their studio, and A. O. Smith and Kohler Company also generously sponsored class, reducing the registration fee for attendees. "Hosting this class is an example of the type of commitment to training and education we have," said Jerry Winslett, senior technical trainer at A.O. Smith. "Our mission is to provide contractors with the resources they need grow their business, increase their profits and strengthen their marketplace presence."

Additional foremen and project manager training programs from the PHCC Educational Foundation are scheduled for 2022. Visit https://phccfoundation.org/essentials for more information and to register.