Guest Commentary: Workforce Recruiting for Plumbing/HVAC Contracting Sector
GroundBreak Carolinas is always looking for industry experts to weigh-in on important topics such as workforce development, safety and the economy. Mendi Arnold is director of human resources for Cullum, based in Charleston. Arnold explains how Cullum is working to change the perception of the construction industry as it promotes careers in the trades to young people and the diverse group of potential recruits who may be looking for a career change.
What is Cullum doing to “sell” the Plumbing/HVAC contracting sector of the construction industry?
Cullum builds and fosters partnerships with K-12 schools, technical colleges, apprenticeship advocates, and other industry associations to help change the image of skilled craft professionals.
Society has pushed college as the only pathway to success for decades, crippling the talent pipeline of skilled men and women needed to continue to build our communities. Cullum is promoting the trades by highlighting the purpose these men and women serve. Without construction, there are no schools, no hospitals, no warehouse or manufacturing facilities, no roads, no running water, or conditioned air. Without people with the skills to build, infrastructure cannot grow or be maintained.
Cullum shares and supports initiatives like We are Generation T, NCCER Build your Future, and Carolinas AGC Build Your Career. All of these are wonderful resources to educate people about careers in the trades.
Cullum provides apprenticeships in five high-demand occupations, job shadow opportunities, and internships. It accomplishes this with the support of its highly skilled team members. These skilled men and women share their real-life experiences and offer hands-on opportunities to people interested in learning.
Activities include proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE), cutting duct to set taps for HVAC systems, and cutting, cleaning and soldering copper pipe.
About Cullum
Cullum Mechanical Construction, Inc. was founded in 1972 by Furman Cullum. Today’s operations comprise two thriving subsidiaries: Cullum Constructors, Inc. and Cullum Services, Inc. Cullum maintains unlimited licenses as a mechanical contractor and general contractor in South Carolina, in addition to mechanical and plumbing licenses in North Carolina and Georgia. To learn more, visit www.culluminc.com.
