Skip to Main Content
Building Safety Journal Logo

Building Safety Journal - International Code Council

Main Menu

Menu

      • April, 2025 Articles
      • March, 2025 Articles
      • February, 2025 Articles
      • January, 2025 Articles
      • December, 2024 Articles
      • November, 2024 Articles
      • 2025 Articles
      • 2024 Articles
      • Deep Dives
      • Member News
      • Personal Perspectives
      • Quick Hits
      • Technical Topics
      • Press Releases
      • Sponsored Content
      • View All
      • Buildings, Construction, Architecture/Design
      • Fire, Wildland-Urban Interface
      • Plumbing, Mechanical, Fuel Gas, Pools/Spas
      • Energy, Solar, Green, Sustainability
      • Disaster Preparedness, Mitigation, Resiliency
  • Subscribe
    • ICC Family of Solutions
    • ICCSafe
    • myICC
    • Digital Codes
    • cdpACCESS
    • Store
    • Support

Join today!

Keep up-to-date on crucial industry news, innovative training and expert technical advice with a free subscription to the award-winning Building Safety Journal.

Subscribe

Sign In or Register Here

Provide your email address
Provide your password
Answer the math challenge
Please enter your e-mail address below. We will email you a link to reset your password.
Provide your email address
Answer the math challenge
To complete your registration, please verify your email address.
Answer the math challenge

We have emailed the address you provided. Please click the link in the email to confirm your email address.

Your account has been marked for password reset. Please change your password.
Provide your new password
Verify your new password
Answer the math challenge 5 plus zero

Only registered ICC members have access to this article at this time.

Explore all the benefits that ICC Membership has to offer and become a member today to gain access to this exciting content.

If you're already an ICC member Sign In Now.

Can We Help?

  • Reset My Password
  • I Need More Help

Spotlighting Mechanical Skills Plumbing Apprenticeship School on World Plumbing Day

In recognition of World Plumbing Day, the International Code Council is highlighting the work of Mechanical Skills Plumbing Apprenticeship School.

March 8th, 2023
by International Code Council
  • Personal Perspectives

World Plumbing Day is celebrated each year on March 11th to spread awareness on the role plumbing plays in our everyday lives and the importance of the plumbing industry in environmental sustainability and the protection of public health.

This day serves as an opportunity to recognize and appreciate all members of the plumbing industry – from pipelayers and plumbers to educators and code developers.

Plumbing schools and apprenticeships are an especially important foundation for the trade. Educating the next generation of plumbers and helping them develop up-to-date technical skills and abilities is crucial for not only success in the field, but in creating a safe and reliable plumbing infrastructure.

 

Mechanical Skills Plumbing Apprenticeship School

In recognition of World Plumbing Day, the International Code Council is highlighting the work of Mechanical Skills Plumbing Apprenticeship School (Mechanical Skills, Inc.). Based in Indianapolis, the school is an important resource for the plumbing industry and is one of the many great apprenticeship training schools across the country.

Mark Fasel, Director of PMG Technical Resources for the Code Council and ICC Certified Residential and Commercial Plumbing Inspector, teaches fourth-year apprentice students at Mechanical Skills, Inc. about the International Plumbing Code® (IPC) and Indiana Plumbing Law as they prepare for their Journeyman and Contractor exams.

“Mechanical Skills, Inc. provides the opportunities necessary for success in the industry,” said Fasel. “It is truly amazing to see the instructors and staff interacting with and educating their apprentices. Each has a unique perspective that resonates with their students.”

Pictured are Mark Fasel and Bill Ciriello, Curriculum Development and Facilities Manager
Pictured are Mark Fasel and Bill Ciriello, Curriculum Development and Facilities Manager

Since its incorporation in 1973, Mechanical Skills Inc. has been providing well-rounded training to apprentice plumbers. In 1991, Frank McCurdy and Ralph Hannebaum reached out to plumbing and HVAC contractors, suppliers and local utilities in the area for support to purchase the school building located at 3535 East Michigan Street in Indianapolis.

Within six months of purchase, the building mortgage was paid in full via donations from industry professionals who graciously gave back.

Today, Mechanical Skills, Inc. has 850 students enrolled in its plumbing apprenticeship program with an impressive 144 students having graduated from the four-year program in 2022.

Student working at the Mechanical Skills Plumbing Apprenticeship School
Student working at the Mechanical Skills Plumbing Apprenticeship School

Recognizing the Work of Key Staff at Mechanical Skills, Inc.

The success of the apprenticeship training school could not be achieved without the dedication of the Mechanical Skills, Inc. Board of Directors, Apprentice Support Manager, Suzie McFarland, Curriculum Development and Facilities Manager, Bill Ciriello, and the many educators devoting their time to training the next generation of skilled trades.

“While speaking with the staff at Mechanical Skills, Inc., I learned a lot about the history of the facility and their mission to make a trade school available in the Indianapolis area,” said Fasel. “Bill Ciriello has invested countless hours ensuring both in-the-classroom and virtual training options are available to the plumbing apprentices.”

Mechanical Skills, Inc. Senior Instructor Paul Hallam was named National Apprentice Instructor of the Year by Contractor Magazine in 2009. A fitting award for Hallam who has taught so many over the years. Hallam’s father, Bob, was instrumental in getting the school program developed when Indiana passed the statewide plumbing licensing law in 1972.

Along with the great staff at Mechanical Skills, Inc., another key individual that must be recognized is the Indiana PHCC Executive Director, Brenda Dant. Dant’s passion, support and advocacy for all Indiana Plumbing and HVAC trade schools have played a significant role in the success of Mechanical Skills, Inc. Programs.

Student working at the Mechanical Skills Plumbing Apprenticeship School
Student working at the Mechanical Skills Plumbing Apprenticeship School

International Code Council Honors Plumbers Worldwide

For World Plumbing Day 2023, the Code Council would like to recognize and honor all those serving in the plumbing industry. Their skills and knowledge are invaluable to ensuring clean, safe and efficient water and wastewater management that many people take for granted.

For more coverage on World Plumbing Day, follow the Code Council on LinkedIn and Facebook and use the hashtag #WorldPlumbingDay when sharing your activities on social media.

If you would like to learn more about resources and support for plumbing code adoption, visit the Code Council’s PMG webpage. 

About the Author
International Code Council
The International Code Council is a nonprofit association that provides a wide range of building safety solutions, including product evaluation, accreditation, certification, codification and training. It develops model codes and standards used worldwide to construct safe, sustainable, affordable and resilient structures.
Submissions
Check out upcoming BSJ topics and send us articles for consideration:
Or send by email

Want to advertise in the BSJ?
Click Here

Share on Facebook
Facebook
Tweet about this on Twitter
Twitter
Share on LinkedIn
Linkedin

  • 25 24862 MTS CLE BSJ WAD 270X270 FINAL
  • 25 24731 BSM BSJ Website 270x270 WAD FINAL
  • 25 24651 TRN WDS BSJ BSJW WAD 270x270 FINAL a
  • tile 3
  • 25 24699 PD TRN SKGA Sub Plan BSJ WAD FINAL 270 x 270 2
International Code Council
International Code Council
International Code Council
International Code Council

Subscribe to the Building Safety Journal

Subscribe

Connect with Us

  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • X
  • YouTube
  • Instagram

ICC Family of Solutions

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Contact Us
  • Accessibility Policy
Txp6mebJQEi7Yt5RYRPDFclOIjq7Kt6QSfPI3hyTUvE=.html