The United Pool Association is launching new initiatives to educate members while experiencing rapid growth.
The trade group is offering a new benefit to help its California members become licensed. UPA arranged with its insurance broker to subsidize educational materials that members can use to study for a contractors exam to obtain a C-61/D-35 license.
Dale Given, UPA president, said the home study program includes DVDs, textbooks and access to online resources. The “contractor’s kit” costs members $125, down from a retail price of around $500.
The Golden State mandates pool service professionals have a C-61/D-35 license to legally make any repair valued at $500 or more. The state is enforcing the law through sting operations, wherein unlicensed contractors are lured by state agents posing as homeowners seeking pool repairs.
It’s easy for well-meaning service techs to get snared.
“You change a motor and add some other minor repairs and you’re in that [$500] number,” Given cautioned.
UPA doesn’t require members to be licensed, but it’s encouraged.
“We say this is good for your business and we’ll give you all the tools to be successful,” Given said.
The course has a 97% pass rate, Given added.
The initiative comes as UPA expands into a new region. Officials say the organization’s competitive insurance rates are prompting members of other trade groups to consider alternatives. Last year, UPA’s insurance provider began offering dividends, allowing members to earn back as much as 20% of their insurance premiums.
The association recently launched two chapters in the Phoenix metro area with about 80 members combined, bringing its nationwide total to nearly 2,000. The Phoenix chapter formed in October of last year and a West Valley chapter came on board earlier this month. Kurt Schuster, a former IPSSA regional director, oversees the two new UPA chapters.
“We still have chapter meetings and sick route coverage,” said Schuster, owner of Phoenix-based Badger Pool Service. “We like the comradery.”
UPA is also actively trying to bring younger professionals into the fold – a demographic that has, to some degree, eluded legacy trade organizations. In the minds of some industry veterans, young techs tend to be turned off by meetings and bylaws.
That’s why UPA is taking a more modern approach to education and group functions. The association is creating a digital library of instructional videos, exclusive to members, to help pros solve problems in the field. The group is also streaming its leadership meetings online, allowing people to attend virtually. (IPSSA recently announced plans for a video initiative of its own.)
UPA says it has other benefit programs in the works.
“We want to be the Costco of trade associations,” Given said. “We want to offer the best value to our members.”
