NIBCO and its Webstone brand have donated a custom-built boiler and water heater system training board to Red Rocks Community College in Lakewood, Colorado, giving students another hands-on resource as they prepare for careers in the skilled trades.
The training board was created as part of the Community Over Competition Build showcased at AHR Expo 2026. Organized by Impetus Media and sponsored by NIBCO, the initiative brought together plumbing and HVAC professionals, manufacturers and industry leaders to highlight collaboration across the trades.
At Red Rocks Community College, Terence Chan of Impetus Media presented the system to instructor Noel Sicard. The fully operational board will allow students to install emitters and work directly with equipment similar to what they will encounter in the field.
“The donation of this training equipment provides our students with valuable hands-on experience that reinforces what they learn in the classroom,” Sicard says. “This new board will allow students in our upcoming semester classes to install emitters and work with a fully operational system in our HVAC lab, giving them practical experience with the same equipment they’ll encounter in the field.”
Lisa Lyon, General Manager of Webstone, says the donation demonstrates what can happen when different parts of the industry work together to support the next generation of tradespeople.
“Through our longstanding relationship with Impetus Media, we’ve seen firsthand how bringing manufacturers, contractors and industry advocates together can create meaningful opportunities for the trades,” Lyon says. “We’re proud that this effort will help students gain practical experience and prepare for successful careers in HVAC and plumbing.”
The donation supports NIBCO and Webstone’s broader efforts to strengthen the skilled trades through investments in education and hands-on training.
