E-185 Pool Nation Podcast - Shaping the Future with Omar Placencia on Innovation and Impact

Breaking Down Language Barriers in Pool Professional Training

The pool industry has long recognized the need for professional training and certification, but one crucial segment has been underserved: Spanish-speaking pool professionals. In a groundbreaking episode of the Pool Nation Podcast, hosts Edgar DeJazuz and John J.J. Flawless welcomed Omar Placencia and Todd Pieri from AquaStar Pool Products to discuss an innovative initiative that could reshape how the industry approaches multicultural education.

This conversation represents more than just adding translation services – it's about creating genuine accessibility and inclusion in an industry where skilled technicians are desperately needed, regardless of their primary language.

The Untapped Market: Spanish-Speaking Pool Professionals

During the discussion, the hosts highlighted a significant gap in the current training landscape. While various pool shows and industry events occasionally offer Spanish-language classes, these opportunities are limited and often inaccessible to many professionals who could benefit from them.

There's an untapped resource or an untapped market that I think sometimes gets neglected and that's the Spanish portion of it. And big thanks out to AquaStar for stepping up to the plate and Omar especially offering your services and your knowledge so that we can reach that portion of the market as well.

— Edgar DeJazuz, Pool Nation Podcast

The reality is stark: while Spanish-speaking professionals make up a significant portion of the pool service workforce, comprehensive training in their native language remains scarce. Most available training occurs only once or twice a year at major industry shows, making it difficult for working professionals to access consistently.

Expanding Pool Nation University's Reach

The Pool Nation team has been working on an evolution of their training approach, particularly with Pool Nation University. The goal is to make quality education accessible to every pool professional, especially those just entering the industry.

I think what we're going to be talking about today is the next step or the evolution of what we're trying to accomplish when it comes down to training, especially with the Pool Nation University and reaching out to the one poolers and to the guys and gals out there that don't necessarily have the means to get out to go to these in-class trainings all the time, but most have a telephone, right?

— John J.J. Flawless, Pool Nation Podcast

This approach recognizes a fundamental truth about modern education: accessibility shouldn't depend on geographic location or economic circumstances. By leveraging technology and partnerships with industry leaders like AquaStar Pool Products, Pool Nation University aims to deliver high-quality training directly to professionals wherever they are.

The Partnership with AquaStar Pool Products

AquaStar Pool Products has stepped forward as a visionary partner in this initiative, demonstrating the kind of industry leadership that drives meaningful change. Their commitment goes beyond mere sponsorship – they're actively contributing expertise and resources to make Spanish-language training a reality.

Todd Pieri's presence on the podcast, along with Omar Placencia's specialized knowledge, represents a collaborative approach that other industry manufacturers and suppliers could emulate. This partnership model shows how companies can invest in workforce development while expanding their own market reach.

The collaboration also highlights an important business reality: as the pool industry continues to grow, companies that invest in comprehensive workforce development – including multilingual training – position themselves for long-term success in an increasingly diverse marketplace.

Technology as the Great Equalizer

One of the most exciting aspects of this initiative is how it leverages technology to overcome traditional barriers to education. Rather than requiring professionals to travel to distant training locations or take time off during peak season, the program brings expert instruction directly to learners.

The hosts emphasized that most pool professionals have access to a telephone, making basic technology requirements achievable for virtually everyone in the industry. This approach democratizes access to professional development in ways that traditional classroom-based training simply cannot match.

The podcast discussion revealed how live streaming, interactive sessions, and digital resources can create engaging learning experiences that rival in-person instruction. For Spanish-speaking professionals who may have felt excluded from mainstream industry training, these technological solutions offer unprecedented access to career-advancing education.

Building Industry Community Through Inclusive Training

Beyond the practical aspects of language-specific training, this initiative represents something larger: the recognition that the pool industry's strength lies in its diversity. The podcast's interactive format, complete with live audience engagement and real-time feedback, demonstrates how modern training can build community while delivering education.

Not that there hasn't been other trainings out there, there are when you go to the Western show, the international show, different places or some education that's there where they'll do some classes in Spanish, but it's limited, right? And it's only maybe once a year or twice a year and it's hard for people to get access to it so being able to get good quality information out to our Hispanic folks out there would be a step forward in the right direction.

— John J.J. Flawless, Pool Nation Podcast

The conversation also touched on the importance of ongoing support and community building. Training isn't just about delivering information – it's about creating networks of professionals who can support each other's growth and success.

The Future of Pool Industry Education

As the episode wrapped up, it became clear that this Spanish-language training initiative is just the beginning of a broader evolution in how the pool industry approaches professional development. The success of this program could serve as a model for other specialized training needs and underserved populations within the industry.

The partnership between Pool Nation and AquaStar Pool Products demonstrates how industry leaders can collaborate to address systemic challenges while building stronger, more inclusive professional communities. This approach benefits everyone: individual professionals gain access to career-advancing training, companies develop deeper relationships with their customer base, and the industry as a whole becomes more professional and capable.

Looking ahead, the success of multilingual training programs could inspire similar initiatives focused on other aspects of accessibility – whether geographic, economic, or technological. The key insight from this podcast episode is that when industry leaders commit to genuine inclusion and accessibility, they create opportunities for growth that benefit the entire ecosystem.

The pool industry stands at an exciting crossroads where technology, partnership, and vision converge to create new possibilities for professional development. By breaking down language barriers and expanding access to quality training, initiatives like this one don't just serve individual professionals – they strengthen the entire industry for the future.

Episode Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and Welcome
• 05:00 Identifying the Spanish-Language Training Gap
• 10:00 Pool Nation University Evolution
• 15:00 Partnership with AquaStar Pool Products
• 20:00 Technology Solutions for Accessibility
• 25:00 Building Inclusive Industry Community