Flathead Plumb-Rite Wins Award for Apprenticeship Program at Flathead Valley Community College

In a notable recognition of its pioneering educational initiatives, Plumb-Rite Plumbing has received the 2025 FVCC Business and Industry Award. The award commends the company for its innovative plumbing apprenticeship program developed in partnership with Flathead Valley Community College (FVCC). This groundbreaking program is aimed at addressing the imminent skills shortage in the plumbing industry, which is expected to see a deficit of over 550,000 professionals by 2027.

Kirk Katzenmeyer, the owner and a master plumber alongside Emily Larsen, the team manager, have been instrumental in shaping a curriculum that leverages hands-on training to complement academic learning. Participants in the program not only undergo rigorous coursework but also gain direct field experience under the guidance of seasoned professionals from Plumb-Rite Plumbing. This dual-learning approach ensures apprentices are not only educated but also ready to tackle real-world plumbing challenges immediately after their training.

“Plumbing combines technical expertise with critical thinking and personalized service—elements that technology alone can’t replicate,” Emily Larsen said during the award ceremony. With an emphasis on complex problem-solving and nuanced service skills, the program addresses the needs of an industry where the human touch is irreplaceable by artificial intelligence (AI).

Lisa M. Blank, Ph.D., Executive Director of Workforce Development at FVCC commented on the initiative’s broader impact: “By combining academic instruction from master plumber Dave Micone with on-the-job training, we are partnering to prepare students for long-term success in a field that will always require human expertise.” The program not only fills an emerging gap but also strengthens the workforce by equipping upcoming professionals with both theoretical knowledge and practical experience.

Plumb-Rite Plumbing has been serving the Flathead Valley and beyond since 2003, committed to delivering high-quality plumbing services and playing a pivotal role in community education. The apprenticeship program’s success and the resultant award underscore the company’s commitment to innovation and community service in an era increasingly dominated by automation.