Pool and Hot Tub Alliance

service technicians and builders, approved by the Department of Labor. “This is rewarding work…there’s so much fulfillment in this field and we wanted to encapsulate that,” Hickman says, explaining that the program was launched to provide structured, on-the-job training and educate people about everything from compensation to culture within the industry. THE BLOOMING VOICE OF THE POOL INDUSTRY Being one of the alliance’s core principles, education is always a part of the PHTA’s larger strategy, and of course, it does this both internally and externally. Internally, this means member certification and training, which the alliance has firm standards on. Pre-COVID, getting certified meant going to a trade show or conference to take a course and earn the certification. However, the pandemic necessitated a shift to e-learning, making education more accessible, and even as a newly formed organization, quickly adapted to the new conditions. Courses that previously required in-person attendance at trade shows or conferences are now available online. This change has doubled the number of professionals receiving training via the PHTA’s efforts. Additionally, a partnership with Cornell University offers a cohort learning experience for executive and emerging leaders, further enhancing educational opportunities within the industry. For certain industries, a critical component of education can also involve advocacy, which is the exact case for the PHTA. The alliance acts as an 7 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 11, ISSUE 06 POOL & HOT TUB ALL IANCE