Even though the worst recession in recent memory officially ended in June 2009, the unemployment rate has remained above 9 percent, and jobs have not bounced back as quickly as anticipated. One of the reasons for that, noted the not-for-profit organization, ACT (www.act.org), is that a significant segment of today’s labor force does not have the requisite skills that employers demand.
This information probably does not come as a surprise to HVAC contractors, many of whom have complained for years that it is extremely difficult to find skilled workers to fill job openings. There is plenty of blame to go around as some point the finger at high schools, trade schools, or the contractors themselves. Many in the industry have ideas on what can be done differently to ensure there is a larger pool of well-educated, skilled service technicians ready to enter the workforce.