“Fieldpiece’s dedication to this field extends well beyond just equipping field professionals with the highest quality and most innovative tools so they can do their jobs faster, easier and better,” said Rachel Newport, director of marketing at Fieldpiece Instruments. “Fieldpiece is also committed to supporting the next generation of up-and-coming HVACR professionals in this fantastic trade. We’ve recently launched free online training resources via Fieldpiece University, an online platform designed to keep industry professionals at the top of their game; and today, we are delighted to announce the Fieldpiece and SkillsUSA #MasteroftheTrade scholarship to further give back to the industry.”

Through the partnership, Fieldpiece Instruments is addressing a shortage of trained labor in the HVACR industry. According to an article published by HVACR Business in September, “80,000 HVACR technician jobs are currently unfilled — representing 39% of the total industry workforce. At the same time, the industry is losing an estimated 20,000 technician jobs per year due to the retirement of an aging workforce or basic career attrition rates.”

“We sincerely thank Fieldpiece Instruments for supporting America’s future skilled workforce,” said Chelle Travis, executive director at SkillsUSA. “There is a critical need for more HVACR technicians. We are rolling up our sleeves every day to provide career and technical education, and to forge meaningful partnerships between education and industry that result in a better-trained HVACR workforce and a shrinking skills gap. Working together with Fieldpiece Instruments, we can make this happen.”

To apply for the #MasteroftheTrade Scholarship, applicants must be SkillsUSA members enrolled in its HVACR or general construction programs who plan to study HVACR at the college or postsecondary level in the 2022-23 (high school seniors) or 2023-24 school year (high school juniors). The scholarship application must include a résumé and either an essay (300 words or fewer) or a video (1-3 minutes) answering the question: “Why have you chosen a career in HVACR?” The scholarship opens Dec. 1 and applications must be submitted by March 1, 2022. Scholarship recipients will be announced on May 16, 2022.

Scholarships will be awarded based on the merit of the application including the essay or video and the proficiency of the SkillsUSA Framework skills demonstrated in the application materials. To receive the funds, scholarship recipients must provide an acceptance letter from their postsecondary education program or their first semester tuition invoice. The funds will be distributed directly to the school.