Plumbing and Construction Industry Leaders Encouraged Government Officials to Include Skilled Labor in “Expanding Apprenticeships in America” Program

PISCATAWAY, N.J. (September 20, 2017) ― Calling for increased support for apprenticeship programs in the building and construction industry, LIXIL Americas President and CEO Steven Delarge met with key federal officials on September 14, 2017 at the White House.

• Fast track current four-year apprenticeship programs by recognizing accredited high school applied technology training;
• Add construction classes back into high school curriculum nationwide;
• Create a national plumbing license, rather than individual state licenses, to establish uniformity, simplify training, and encourage portability across state lines for employment opportunities.

“To keep our economy strong and our communities healthy and safe, we at LIXIL Americas recognize how critical it is to attract a new generation of talented men and women to the building trades,” said Delarge. “Think of the rebuilding needs from just the past two weeks of storms. We want families and businesses back in their homes and buildings quickly, we need skilled labor to make that happen. We need well-trained labor to assure that those homes and buildings functioning effectively and make everyday life comfortable and secure.”


Ongoing Support for Trade Careers

Encouraging careers in the skilled trades, LIXIL Americas is a founding sponsor of the Generation Next program spearheaded by This Old House. This philanthropic initiative raises money from companies and trade groups in the building and construction industry to provide scholarships for students pursuing careers as plumbers, electricians, carpenters, roofers, masons and other skilled professions.

Additionally, the New Jersey-headquartered LIXIL Americas provides training and career mentoring to high school and adult vocational education programs throughout its home state. This initiative includes tours of its research and design center in Piscataway, N.J., as well as product donations to upgrade training facilities.at local schools. Skilled plumbers, contractors and builders are also provided with product usage training, with a focus on commercial fixtures and faucets, plus a tour of the Company’s product development and testing facilities.

“We are committed to raising awareness of how a career in the skilled trades can be emotionally fulfilling and financially rewarding to young people seeking a vocation. By providing scholarship funds, we can help ensure that we have a talented “next generation” who aspire to these viable trade professions,” explained Delarge. “From helping to fund scholarships to promoting policy change, we are proud to champion these financially rewarding and personally satisfying careers.”


ABOUT LIXIL CORPORATION
LIXIL is a global leader in the housing and building industry. Our unique portfolio spans everything from technologies that revolutionize how we interact with water in our daily lives, to a full lineup of products and services for housing and major architectural projects. Delivering core strengths in water, kitchen, housing, and building technologies, our brands including LIXIL, American Standard, GROHE, DXV, INAX, and Permasteelisa are leaders in the industries and regions in which they operate. LIXIL operates in more than 150 countries and employs more than 70,000 people, bringing together function, quality, and design to make people’s lives better and more delightful – wherever they are.

Learn more at www.lixil.com, facebook.com/lixilgroup and www.linkedin.com/company/lixil-group.


ABOUT AMERICAN STANDARD BRANDS
American Standard Brands make life healthier, safer and more beautiful at home, at work, in the community and throughout the world. Offering total project solutions for residential and commercial customers around the world with respected brands such as American Standard®, Safety Tubs®, Crane Plumbing®, Eljer®, Fiat® and Decorative Panels International®. American Standard Brands is part of LIXIL, a global leader in housing and building materials products and services. Learn more at www.americanstandard.com, or follow us at facebook.com/AmericanStandardPlumbing, twitter.com/AmStandard, youtube.com/AmericanStandard01, Pinterest.com/amstandard, Instagram.com/american_standard.

ABOUT GROHE
GROHE is the world’s leading provider of sanitary fittings and a global brand, dedicated to providing innovative water products. For many decades, GROHE has been committed to the brand values of technology, quality, design and sustainability that all illustrate GROHE’s commitment to creating exceptional experiences and to delivering “Pure Freude an Wasser”. With its engineering, innovation and design activities firmly anchored in Germany, GROHE products bear the badge of quality “Made in Germany”, ultimately strengthening the customers’ confidence in the brand. GROHE is part of LIXIL, a global leader in housing and building materials products and services. GROHE America has an office located in the heart of the Flatiron district that houses the GROHELIVE! Center, an interactive showroom created for inspiration and collaboration.

Learn more at www.grohe.us, or follow us at facebook.com/groheUS, twitter.com/grohe_US, youtube.com/user/GroheAmerica, instagram.com/grohe_us/.



ABOUT DXV
DXV is a portfolio of luxury bath and kitchen products that celebrates the distinguished 140-plus-year heritage of American Standard. DXV reimagines the most influential design movements during that time: Classic (1890-1920), Golden Era (1920-1950), Modern (1950-1990), and Contemporary (1990-Present). DXV is part of LIXIL, a global leader in housing and building materials products and services. The DXV Showroom at Flatiron is open to explore our luxury products and collections. Learn more at www.dxv.com, or follow us at facebook.com/dxv, twitter.com/DXV, youtube.com/DXVLuxury, pinterest.com/dxv, instagram.com/dxvluxury.