Brian Torchio Earns Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling Contractors' Award

From MetroWest Daily News, March 26, 2009
Picture from Keefe Tech files

FRAMINGHAM — Keefe Technical School senior Brian Torchio of Framingham was recently granted an award from the Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling Contractors (PHCC) of Massachusetts.

Torchio, who will graduate in June after being trained as a plumber and plans on beginning a career in the plumbing field, received $900 worth of plumbing tools for his performance in his career technical field.

“Brian has become very focused on his career this year,” noted Gregory Stephanos, the Keefe Tech teacher who nominated Torchio for the award. “He’s shown so much initiative and is looking forward to a promising future in the field of plumbing.”

The PHCC of Massachusetts annually awards tools to students from each of the state’s career technical schools for being most improved in the plumbing field and who plan on pursuing an industry career.

“This award will really give Brian a great head start when he begins his first job,” added Stephanos. “He will already have all the tools required to be successful in the trade.”

The PHCC of Massachusetts is the state chapter of the oldest trade association in the construction industry, established in 1883. The PHCC represents the interests of Massachusetts plumbing, heating, and cooling contractors and is dedicated to the education, training, promotion, and advancement of these industries.

The Keefe Tech Plumbing Career Technical program consists of three years of related theory, math, and science, as well as shop time covering an introduction to the trade and the basic skills needed to become a successful plumber. As seniors, students have the opportunity to work on the Keefe Tech house building project or to go to work for a plumbing company on co-op. Upon completion of this three-year program, students can receive up to 1,700 hours of work experience and up to 330 hours of related classroom hours towards their Massachusetts Journeyman Plumbers License. Graduates of the program may build a career as a Licensed Apprentice, Journeyman, or Master Plumber, Oil Burner Technician, Service Plumber, Residential or Commercial Plumber, Solar Thermal System Installer, or Pipefitter/Welder.

Keefe Tech, is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. In addition to 13 vocational programs, Keefe Tech offers a complete college preparatory program to students from the communities of Ashland, Framingham, Holliston, Hopkinton and Natick.

By John Hilliard/Daily News staff
The MetroWest Daily News
Posted Mar 26, 2009 @ 12:10 PM