Now I realize that people are reading this article in late January and those resolutions that you proclaimed so loudly three weeks ago are barely a faint memory. But this is also a good time to come up with some New Year’s resolutions for your business.

These comments concern whether there’s a huge need for new, skilled employees, and what individuals have done to promote HVAC as a career to high schoolers.

When it comes to encouraging high school students to pursue post-secondary studies in vocational programs such as HVACR, the fall guys for failure to do so are usually the high school counselors. Well, it just might be the blame rests not with the counselors but with those who are telling the counselors what to push and promote.

HVACR industry trade shows are a wealth of information for all members of the trade, from manufacturers to suppliers to contractors. Shows are also a great way for newcomers to the trade – such as vocational students – to learn about the industry.

The Energy Conservatory announced that Frank Spevak, VP of sales and marketing, will be a featured co-presenter at the 2011 ACI Home Energy Trainer Conference being held Nov. 1-2, 2011, at the Hilton Charlotte Center City, Charlotte, N.C.

The demand for technology-driven education is rising, and many colleges and vocational schools are pushing their programs to find new ways to further incorporate technology and hands-on experience into instruction.

The not-for-profit organization, ACT (www.act.org), notes 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.

Lincoln College of Technology’s new Denver campus offers an Air Conditioning, Refrigeration and Heating Technology program.