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Rudy: Welcome to another episode of our podcast for pool professionals. Today, we have a very special guest with us, Rob Romano, the Board Chair of the National Plasterer's Council. Thanks for joining us, Rob.
Rob: Thank you, Rudy. It's great to be here.
Andrea: Rob, could you tell our listeners a little bit about the National Plasterer's Council and what it does?
Rob: Sure. The National Plasterer's Council is a professional organization for the swimming pool plastering and tiling industry. We provide education, training, and certification programs for pool professionals, and we also promote best practices and ethical standards in the industry.
Rudy: That's great. Can you tell us a little bit about your background and how you got involved with the National Plasterer's Council?
Rob: Sure. I've been in the swimming pool industry for over 30 years, and I started out as a pool technician. I eventually moved into pool construction, and I've been running my own business for the past 20 years. I got involved with the National Plasterer's Council about 10 years ago because I wanted to help improve the industry and promote quality workmanship.
Andrea: That's impressive. So, what are some of the biggest challenges that the pool industry is facing right now?
Rob: Well, one of the biggest challenges is the labor shortage. It's becoming harder and harder to find skilled workers in our industry, and that's driving up costs for consumers. Another challenge is the increasing regulation of the industry. There are a lot of new regulations being introduced, and it can be difficult for small businesses to keep up.
Rudy: Those are definitely some important challenges to address. What is the National Plasterer's Council doing to help pool professionals deal with these challenges?
Rob: Well, we're working on a number of initiatives to address the labor shortage. We're partnering with technical schools and vocational programs to encourage young people to consider careers in the pool industry. We're also offering scholarships and apprenticeships to help train new workers. And we're working with industry associations to promote the pool industry as a viable and rewarding career path.
As for the regulatory challenges, we're working with local and state governments to ensure that any new regulations are fair and reasonable. We're also providing training and resources to help pool professionals stay up-to-date with the latest regulations and best practices.
Andrea: That's great to hear. So, what can pool professionals do to get involved with the National Plasterer's Council?
Rob: Well, we encourage all pool professionals to become members of the National Plasterer's Council. Membership is open to anyone in the industry, and it's a great way to stay up-to-date with the latest news and trends. We also offer certification programs for plasterers and tile setters, as well as a variety of training and educational resources.
Rudy: That's fantastic. Thank you so much for joining us today, Rob, and for sharing all of this valuable information with our listeners.
Andrea: Yes, thank you, Rob. And to our listeners, be sure to check out the National Plasterer's Council website for more information and resources.
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