Be the Doctor

Why is it that doctors are admirable professionals?  What doctors do is commit themselves to education and strive to understand the newest tools and techniques.  They use their skills to keep us safe and healthy.

Why aren’t heating professionals and plumbers treated like doctors? Some are, most aren’t. The contractors who are treated like doctors are treated that way because they take pride in the work they do and communicate the value of their craft.  Plumbers and heating contractors who can explain how they are they are going to use their expert knowledge to keep you safe from scalding water, flooding, mold, carbon monoxide poisoning, combustible gas, electrocution, and water heater rocket takeoffs, while keeping you comfortable should have the same confidence as an OR doctor.  Providing all of these safeties while also saving energy is a admirably complex.

In Germany, you have to be a master plumber to start a plumbing company.  With a higher bar for entry, German plumbers have a higher level of respect.  In the USA, we don’t have the same certification process to enter the trades.  What you can do is search out manufacture and industry association training to improve your pedigree.  If you hand a customer presentation binder with photos of a few meticulously crafted installations and a list of accreditations and certifications you have, you will help demonstrate your pedigree.

Plumbers and doctors both provide valuable services by keeping people safe and healthy.  Without plumbing, doctors would be fighting all day to fight back basic waterborne diseases.  For so long, plumbers have been seen as a few steps down the totem pole from doctors, and that shouldn’t be the case.

I am honored to be a part of the Radiant Professionals Alliance.  The Board I get to work with is made up of some of the smartest minds in the business who are dedicated to making you smarter, better, and more efficient.  I encourage you to make RPA online classes and trade show seminars part of your education portfolio.

Put on a white coat, throw your combustion analyzer around your neck like a stethoscope, and go be the doctor!

Written by Max Rohr. Max is a LEED Green Associate and BPI Building Analyst.  He is the current Chairman of the Radiant Professionals Alliance Education Committee and an outside salesman for Shamrock Sales Inc.