PMCN "State Of The Association"
by Joe Wheeler

The Plumbing & Mechanical Contractors of Nevada’s four-year apprentice program was highlighted as one of the most important activities of the association at the September 9^th membership meeting in Las Vegas.

"Educating young people is the most important thing we do," said PMCN Executive Director Sherry Hernandez. "And our program is looked upon as a model by the Nevada Labor Commissioner’s office."

Richard Kerzetski

Hernandez said that PMCN has recently created an apprentice loan program to help students pay for books and tools. Students are loaned money to go to school, and only pay it back if they fail to complete the entire four year program.

Rich Kerzetski, owner of Universal Plumbing & Heating and former president of the PMCN, teaches the third year curriculum for the apprentice program. He encouraged members to send their workers through the program, and said that graduation should be based on skills learned, not merely on how much time was spent in the classroom.

"Apprentice training should be comprehensive, standardized, and based on competency," Kerzetski said. "Apprentices must have the skills to use current trade materials, have tools, and be able to produce a high quality product in a reasonable amount of time."

Kerzetski is one of eight plumbers from across America selected as the National Association of Plumbing Heating Cooling Contractors’ Apprentice Training Committee. The committee meets in Washington D.C. and is creating a plumbing apprentice manual slated to become a model for programs nationwide. Kerzetski’s tenure as an instructor with the PMCN’s program has given him invaluable insights into the needs of apprentices, instructors and employers, abilities recognized by the national association.

"Only the plumbing and electrical trades require journeymen cards," Kerzetski said. "The term dates back to the 15^th century when a worker has journeyed away from his master to work on his own. And a journeyman plumber must constantly prove that he can get the job done."

Apprentices learn about safety requirements as part of the program, and are certified to perform CPR. The association holds a yearly apprentice contest, with the winner representing Nevada in a national PHCC competition. Manual Oroz of Medera Mechanical took first place this year, and second place overall in the event held on October 2 at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.

Legislative Issues

PMCN Executive Director Sherry Hernandez reported that the 2003 legislative session was a success for contractors, as several key pieces of legislation were passed and one bill defeated.

Senate Bill 115 would have wiped out the Uniform Plumbing Code, and was heartily opposed by PMCN. The bill died in committee.

Senate Bill 206 rewrote the mechanic’s lien laws in Nevada, and was supported by the association and the industry as a whole. It passed and takes effect October 1, 2003.

Another new law that PMCN supported was SB 241. Hernandez said that PMCN, "Contributed $50,000 to the Nevada Subcontractors Association to help bring about much needed construction defect reform."

Doug Williams, The Plumber, Inc, said that a PMCN "Contractors’ Night" has been scheduled for November 12^th. Members network on code concerns, business management issues and contract problems. The last meeting was well attended and featured a lively discussion on liability insurance, taxes and contract provisions.

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