High 5 Plumbing Prepares Apprentices to Become Licensed Residential Plumbers in
18 Months
Key Successes:
- Increased company revenue by almost
500% since implementing Interplay’s
supplemental training - Promoted Field Apprentices to Installers
in 60 days - Produced licensed residential plumbers
in 18 months - Achieved callback rates below the
industry average for 100% of apprentices
who underwent Interplay training - Developed top performers out of
Interplay-graduated apprentices - Retained over 50% of apprentices as
licensed plumbers
About High 5 Plumbing
- Top-rated residential plumbing company
in Denver, CO - Operates three locations
- Created a robust apprenticeship program
fostering technician development through
a supportive, growth-oriented culture.
Training Challenges:
- High industry turnover posed apprentice
retention issues - The ongoing labor shortage created difficulty in
sourcing and acquiring skilled talent - The absence of engaging supplemental learning
tools lengthened apprentice ramp time.
Summary
- High 5 Plumbing collaborated with Interplay to
refine its apprenticeship program, enhancing
structure, efficiency, and talent development. - Apprentices undergo 6 to 10 hours of paid
weekly virtual training, accelerating skills
progression and leading to swift transitions
from field apprentice to installer within 60 days. - Utilizing fundamental videos and VR-enabled
simulations, High 5 expedited apprentice
development, producing licensed residential
plumbers in 18 months—six months faster than
traditional training. - Technicians completing the training program
exhibit top performance, demonstrating
heightened proficiency, consistency, and
callback rates lower than the 10% industry
average. - High 5 Plumbing’s culture and strategic
plumber progression pathways have propelled
the company to a remarkable 500% revenue
growth since 2019.
Training Goals:
- Implement a structured training program to
grow an in-house workforce and address the
labor shortage. - Develop a consistent pipeline of apprentices
who become licensed plumbers. - Upskill efficiently and retain a team of highly
skilled plumbers that increase headcount and
revenue growth.
“The first three apprentices to complete the program are our top three most consistent plumbing technicians across the board. They started with the least amount of plumbing knowledge, and now they’re smoking our experienced plumbers in all KPIs. They have the highest conversion rates, get the most 5-star reviews, and their callbacks are all below the industry average”
levi torres
President
Taking Matters Into My Own Hands
Levi Torres, Owner of High 5 Plumbing, grew
frustrated with the persistent plumber shortage.
He decided to take matters into his own hands,
stating, “I was tired of hearing people complain
about the plumber shortage without offering any
solutions. That’s when we realized we had to
make a plan to create our own people.”
Teaming up with Interplay, Levi strategically invested in supplemental online training, including VR. This initiative brought enhanced structure and additional learning opportunities that helped them establish an accelerated talent pipeline from apprentices to licensed plumbers.
Company Culture
At High 5 Plumbing, the emphasis on company culture shines through in their innovative training and skill development approach. Their Warehouse Director, Jason Delgado, ensures apprentices receive dedicated time for Interplay training. Additionally, creative initiatives, such as developing an apprentice handbook, serve as tangible tools for apprentices to track their progress and gain valuable experience under supervision.
High 5 runs regular contests tied to Interplay to further motivate apprentices to get to the next level of their training. One example is awarding $50 gift cards to individuals with the highest points over the month. Incentives like these have boosted engagement and motivated ongoing skill improvement off the clock.
Levi explains, “There’s no way to sugarcoat it; being an apprentice in the trades is not fun. You have to do the work nobody else wants to do; so we must create reasons to keep them around and motivated.”
Enhancing the Apprentice Journey with Interplay
High 5 Plumbing’s Department of Labor-approved apprenticeship program follows a meticulously planned timeline for optimal skill development. Apprentices receive 6 to 10 hours of paid virtual training per week over the 24-month program. Out of the 3,400 hours of on-the-job experience required for the licensing exam in Colorado, 100–120 RTI hours are supplemented through Interplay.
In the initial phase, apprentices spend the first six months as warehouse apprentices, familiarizing themselves with plumbing parts and terminology. The subsequent six months transition apprentices to Interplay video courses, focusing on foundational skills and critical safety lessons.
From months 12–18, apprentices graduate to the field apprentice level. At this stage, they begin incorporating VR training for safe practice and repetition before applying their new skills in the field. Following Interplay’s preset plumbing pathways, apprentices can advance through courses at their own pace. Levi notes that apprentices at this stage often ramp up their engagement with the online training.
“We don’t like to hold people back. With Interplay, we can let them grow at the pace they want. It’s not uncommon for someone to leave the warehouse after a year and totally dive into VR. Their hands-on skills skyrocket, and they advance so much faster in the field because they’re confident.”
From 18–24 months, field apprentices progress to the Installer level, armed with a solid foundation built on field experience and virtual reality training. At this point, apprentices can handle plumbing installations independently. Those who go above and beyond in their training can sit for their residential plumbing license before their 3,400 hours are complete and get licensed early.
Outcomes:
A Fast-Tracked Apprenticeship Program
The program’s success is evident in the rapid progression of apprentices, with many transitioning from field apprentices to installers within as little as 60 days.
By combining warehouse training, field experience, and engaging virtual learning, the structured program has significantly reduced the overall program training time, producing licensed residential plumbers in approximately 18 months — six months faster than traditional methods.
Company Growth
The company’s consistent year-over-year growth is attributed to its robust culture, emphasizing superior client experiences and technical excellence. Between 2019 and 2024, the company is projected to achieve an almost 500% increase in revenue.
While adopting virtual reality training through Interplay is just one aspect of their success, it significantly contributes to shaping proficient, confident, and knowledgeable plumbers who play a crucial role in the company’s continued growth.
Employee Performance
The apprenticeship program’s incentives, clear progression pathways, and vibrant company culture have accelerated skill development and boosted learner confidence, leading to exceptional performance, retention, and client satisfaction.
Technicians who have completed the program consistently achieve callback rates below the 10% industry average.
Jose’s Story
Jose started as a warehouse apprentice without previous plumbing knowledge and was the first to undergo Interplay’s training. In just three years, he rapidly transitioned from the warehouse to an installer and is well on his way to pursuing Journeyman status. Jose sits in the top three for technician performance and boasts a remarkable recall rate of 5.2%, surpassing industry standards.
Jose exemplifies the program’s transformative impact on individuals willing to invest their time and energy into a fulfilling career. Jose shares, “Interplay is an awesome stepping stone. It allowed me to gain experience in a low-risk environment. Then, when I was ready to get into the field, I could apply the skills I learned virtually in the real world.”
Additionally, the impact of the program on employee retention is evident in the company’s ability to attract and retain apprentices, with over 50% remaining with the company as licensed plumbers. Due to the program’s popularity, Levi consistently turns away potential candidates and has a growing waiting list to join.
Summary
High 5 Plumbing addressed the national shortage of plumbers by creating an extensive training program that swiftly transformed their apprentices into licensed residential plumbers.
Emphasizing employee development and fostering a robust company culture, High 5 consistently achieves significant YOY growth. Their dedication to investing in the workforce, coupled with innovative training methods like Interplay’s VR, positions them as industry leaders poised for national expansion.
