Once only found in mild climates, the technology now stretches across the U.S., thanks to advances in inverter technology and zone controls. On the other hand, the level of sophistication in these systems sometimes makes them difficult to troubleshoot when something goes wrong.
Along with the good news about a booming economy and low unemployment rates come challenges for manufacturers that are trying to hire skilled employees. The National Association of Manufacturers said about 500,000 manufacturing jobs are open, and many experts believe this is due to a severe skills gap.
Much as a doctor performs tests to gather clues about a patient’s ailment, service technicians use tools and procedures to accurately pinpoint why an HVACR system will not function properly. The principles guiding these troubleshooting steps are universal, even if their implementation is not.
NATE certification means something because it involves a commitment and reflects reliability and proficiency. According to NATE, around 34,000 technicians have reached that status, with over 5,300 contractors getting their own certifications.
These technologies continue to evolve and change as systems become more efficient and as new methods are discovered to improve the refrigeration cycle. As such, the importance of continuing education cannot be emphasized enough.
Consider an aging, male-dominated member base, and the Elks’ journey might be relevant not only for contractors fighting personnel shortages but also for some of the organizations that recruit and serve those owners. Indeed, out of the lodge and back in the workplace, a wide swath of professional associations wrestles with its own membership challenges. In the HVAC sector, the risk is a subpar or misinformed talent pool, with unwelcome repercussions throughout the industry.
What’s the difference between HVAC field techs and NFL players? Or how about the difference between owners/managers and NFL coaches? Well, the answer, according to Ryan Harris, who played for the Denver Broncos when they won Super Bowl 50, is nothing, really.
Sherlock Plumbing, Heating & Air chose UEI College as its first educational partner, offering a $500 scholarship to one HVAC student who demonstrated a commitment to excellence and maintaining a strong character.
A committee reviewed the applications submitted this year and actually increased the number and amount of the scholarships awarded to reflect the high quality of the applications received.