Pool Installer Technician Program

The Pool Installer Technician Apprenticeship Program provides employers with an educational pathway to lead apprentices through 3,500 hours of on-the-job training, as well as a self-study program that offers more than 228 additional hours of online classroom-style instruction.

The Pool Installer Technician Apprenticeship Program supplies unparalleled teaching, mentoring, and learning connections. Through structured training, apprentices will learn to:

  • Develop and practice worksite safety and maintain safe work environments.
  • Determine proper transit use on a worksite and/or proper water level use as necessary.
  • Ability to read plans in relation to pool and spa construction.
  • Ability to perform in calculating elevations and slopes.
  • Ability to read a tape measure and select the correct hand tools necessary to perform tasks related to pool construction.
  • Ability to apply correct order of operations of pool construction.
  • Ability to properly maintain erosion control, including drainage for downspouts.
  • Ability to set up a temporary site protection.
  • Ability to apply basic pool hydraulics principles during pool installations.
  • Ability to effectively apply equipotential bonding principles during pool construction to reduce the risk of equipment damage and personal injury.
  • Ability to demonstrate proper safety protocols with safety setbacks from overhead electrical lines, heater vents, or other hazardous locations.
  • Contact the utility when needed to mark the area before digging.
  • Ability to determine if site documentation has been completed prior to the start of construction through resources such as easements.
  • Complies with the ISPSC (International Swimming Pool & Spa Code).

In addition to mastering all the essential technical competencies, an apprentice must consistently demonstrate at an acceptable level the following behavioral competencies to complete the apprenticeship.

  • Participation in team discussions/meetings.
  • Focus on team discussions/meetings.
  • Focus during independent work.
  • Openness to new ideas and change.
  • Ability to deal with ambiguity by exploring, asking questions, etc.
  • Knows when to ask for help.
  • Able to demonstrate effective group presentation skills.
  • Able to demonstrate effective one-on-one communication skills.
  • Maintains an acceptable attendance record.
  • Reports to work on time.
  • Completes assigned tasks on time.
  • Uses appropriate language.
  • Demonstrates respect for customers, coworkers, sub-contractors, and supervisors.
  • Demonstrates trust, honesty, and integrity.
  • Requests and performs work assignments without prompting.
  • Appropriately cares for personal dress, grooming, and hygiene.
  • Maintains a positive attitude.
  • Cooperates with and assists co-workers.
  • Follows instructions/directions.
  • Able to work under supervision.
  • Able to accept constructive feedback and criticism.
  • Able to follow safety rules.
  • Able to take care of equipment and workplace.
  • Able to keep the work area neat and clean.
  • Able to meet supervisor's work standards.
  • Able to not let personal life interfere with work.
  • Adheres to work policies/rules/regulations.

Anyone who is interested in learning the competencies of a service maintenance specialist or technician. Apprenticeships are particularly appealing to high school students that would rather learn through on-the-job training than attend college, veterans considering a second career, and those currently working who are ready to learn a new craft.

To become an eligible apprentice, applicants must:

  1. Be 16 years or older.
  2. Provide proof of completion of high school, GED, or equivalent.
  3. Be eligible to work in the U.S.
  4. Be able to pass substance abuse screening if required by the employer.
  5. Be physically able to perform duties of a pool and hot tub professional.
  6. Possess a valid driver's license.

Employers offering the apprenticeship are responsible for:

  1. Identifying apprentices by hiring appropriate candidates or selecting current employees to be apprentices.
  2. Ensuring all apprentices are under the supervision of a qualified journeyworker or fully skilled individual and providing the necessary diversified experience and training to train and develop the apprentice into a skilled worker, proficient in all the work processes of the occupation as outlined.
  3. Registering apprentices in the PHTA Pool Installer Technician Apprenticeship Program, tracking hours and program requirements, and providing required data to validate the progress of each apprentice.
  4. Training each apprentice in the use of new equipment, materials, and processes as they come into use in the occupation.
  5. Providing training and education in first aid, safe working practices, and in recognition of occupational health and safety hazards.
  6. Paying progressively higher wages as skills increase. For example, apprentices shall be paid a progressively increasing schedule of wages based on either a percentage or a dollar amount of the current hourly journeyworker wage rate, which is $22.00 per hour.
    Wage Schedule:
    • 0-1000 hours = $17.00 per hour
    • 1001-2000 hours = $18.00 per hour
    • 2001-3000 hours = $19.00 per hour
    • 3001-4000 hours = $20.00 per hour
    Periodic review and evaluation of the apprentice's on-the-job learning and related technical instruction will be conducted in alignment with the wage schedule established. Once an employer determines that an apprentice has reached full competency, the apprentice can become a journeyworker and compensated at least at the minimum journeyworker wage. The minimum annual wage rates may be adjusted based on regional wage scales.
  7. Providing training in the recognition of illegal discrimination and sexual harassment.

*Rates will be determined based on geographic area. Local, regional, or state minimum wage rates must be met when higher than apprentice wages indicated.

The Pool Installer Technician Apprenticeship Program enrollment is free to PHTA members and there is a nominal fee for non-members. A chart is included below:

  Member Rate Non-Member Rate
Company Enrollment Fee Free $500
Fee Per Apprenticeship Free $125
On-Demand Training per Apprentice $1,799 $2,449

 

Contact Seth Ewing at sewing@phta.org to sign up your apprentice for the On-Demand Education.

The On-Demand Training per Apprenticeship includes the following:

  • Pool Construction - Concrete/Vinyl Liner & Fiberglass
  • Confined Spaces
  • Creating & Maintaining a Compliant Work Environment
  • Discrimination-Free Workplace
  • Emergency Response Planning
  • First Aid and Safety
  • Fundamentals of Hazardous Materials
  • Hazardous Waste Management
  • Heat Stress of Combustible Liquids
  • Indoor Pool Air Quality
  • International Swimming Pool & Spa Code Training
  • Introduction to Fluid Hydraulics
  • Introduction to Fiberglass Pool Sales and Construction
  • OSHA Training 30-hour
  • Peer Leaders: Why You Need Them
  • Personal Protective Equipment
  • Pool Construction 101
  • Recreational Water Illnesses
  • Secual Harassment for Employees
  • Start with a Plan: Introduction
  • Class Pass: PHTA Webinar Series
  • Pool Operator Primer
  • Aquatic Play Features

Please note, the As-Assigned courses listed in the appendix are also available for those businesses wishing to expand knowledge of their apprentices.

We make it simple for you to enroll in the Pool Installer Technician Apprenticeship Program. There are 3 simple steps—and above and beyond that, we offer a "concierge" service supported by a team of consultants to ensure you have the support you need to engage in the program.

Get started today.