Facing a severe U.S. labor shortage in the skilled trades — an estimated 122,000 in HVACR alone — professionals in those fields are joining forces to help local contractors grow technical talent in their back yards.
Explore The Trades (ETT), a nonprofit resource for information about careers in the plumbing, heating, cooling, and electrical (PHCE) trades, along with Ferguson Enterprises and the Nexstar Network of contractors, are spearheading a program that will build up to 10 HVAC and plumbing skills laboratories in high schools and partner those schools with HVAC and plumbing contractors who will help in the new labs with mentoring and support.