The facility, which can be seen from Interstate 75, is a prototype for future buildings for the company. It also has a large garage similar to a firehouse where the company’s service trucks can be parked and worked on.
The office employs 70 people and is looking to hire 10 new plumbers, according to Ron Degner, Roto-Rooter general manager. Degner said it’s been difficult to find people who want to work in plumbing.
“There’s a trend where the younger generation doesn’t want to go into a blue collar trade,” Degner said.
Part of the reason the new center was built was so anyone who decided they wanted to become a plumber could get the training needed. Degner said he would take anyone who works with their hands and has a little bit of background with plumbing work.
Plumbers go through 12 weeks of training at the facility and then are able to go out on their own to homes and businesses.
“When plumbers go out on their own for the first time, they recognize what they need to do because the facility is more realistic,” Degner said.
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