Overcoming a Shortage of Skilled Technicians

Finding the Labor Force to Support a Growing Industry

Last year the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics forecast that technician jobs in the HVAC industry have a potential growth rate as high as 34 percent. That’s triple the national average.

Nationwide, that’s nearly 30,000 workers per year just to replace retirements in the field, and the industry is still growing.

The needed labor can’t simply be outsourced, and that means special effort needs to be undertaken to make the industry more attractive to young workers looking for a great career.

Better Communication & Education

In part, it’s just a matter of communication. Career minded students are simply unaware of the range of opportunities available in the HVAC industry, with increasing demand and job security only a part of the equation.

Improving product technology, advances in green HVAC, energy efficiency, and the use of sophisticated software and equipment like robotic total stations mean that a career in HVAC can present a life-long challenge in continuing education and advancement.

With a network of 38 campuses in 17 states, the Lincoln Group of Schools is one career training school that has taken on the challenge and recognizes both the need and the potential in the field. Two of their HVAC schools, one in New Jersey and the other in Texas had been granted six year HVAC Excellence Accreditation.

Of course every HVAC contractor, fabricator, and B.I.M. service provider that sees its own critical need for a sustained labor force should be working closely with their local technical schools to encourage the talent needed now and in the years ahead.

Mentorship Programs

What the schools can’t do, HVAC companies often find themselves doing on their own. Mentorships and apprenticeships are another answer to filling in the labor gap, especially as it becomes more critical with every passing year.

The cost of training and assisting new workers in achieving their certifications might once have been seen as an unnecessary expense.

Today, finding highly motivated workers and doing whatever it takes to integrate them into your workforce is an investment in the future, and, for some businesses, and investment in survival.

Recently, Jon Hill of Hill & Company was interviewed in The Oklahoman about his company’s approach to mentorship.

Innovative Hiring Services

Yet another answer is turning to innovative hiring services to help recruit the talent you need to succeed. One of these is BirdDog, a dedicated recruiting solution for the skilled trades which provides a mix of software and services to help you avoid panic hiring and find the right talent in the most in-demand fields.

At Birddog, their goal is to be a one-stop-shop for all your recruiting needs and to offer a complete screening, compliance reporting, and applicant tracking solution.

In July of 2014, BirdDog completed a $4 million financing deal with Next Level Ventures to scale the company, expand its Software as a Service product offering, and grow its customer base.

No matter how big or small your project:

No matter how demanding the project, ZEN Industries has the experience and expertise you need.  To learn more, Contact ZEN Industries today!

ZEN Industries provides all or part of your HVAC needs. HVAC ductwork manufactured according to your schedule, meeting 3rd Edition 2005 SMACNA standards. Contact Drew McCaffrey - Sales & Estimating at 877-600-0274.

Success in our business is about service.

Success in our business is about service.  The quality of our HVAC duct work is of the highest caliber and our price competitive with the best in the industry. Nonetheless, quality and price are default items today in sheet metal fabrication. They give us access to the playing field. Service is where ZEN Industries Inc. gains its edge, and service means people - it's about our experienced personnel and the relationships we build with each and every customer.

Learn more at www.ZENIndustries.com or at www.ZENMEP.com

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