I have been tabulating a lot of replies to a survey I recently took of Ferris State University students, enrolled in the college’s two- and four-year HVACR programs. I asked students to tell me why the HVACR profession is a good career choice and why it is difficult to get others interested in it. I also asked them what they are looking for in a future employer.

Check back soon with the interesting results from the 114 replies.

As I tabulated reasons why the HVACR trade has difficulty attracting young and experienced people, it occurred to me that there is a very fine line between an understanding of what HVACR really is and what HVACR really is. No, I didn’t accidentally repeat myself. I meant to say the same thing twice. Bear with my cerebral thinking for a moment. Some of the answers the students gave were along the lines of “people have no idea what HVACR is.” Other answers included “people think HVACR is dirty and low tech.” Looking at both replies, I wonder if people are uninformed or misinformed.

In the case of HVACR as a career, I believe people are both uninformed and misinformed. Being uninformed is simply a lack of knowledge — people just don’t know what HVACR is. Being misinformed is people getting the wrong impression of HVACR from others — without knowing the facts.

We, as a trade, have to address both responses. And all it takes is one thing: spreading the good word about HVACR. Knowledge is king; and it helps overcome ignorance, too.

See where the fine lines cross each other? Let’s get together and spread the knowledge.