Training and Education

Google Announces $50M Commitment to Supporting Skilled Trades

chrisgray@achrnews.com (Chris Gray) — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 11:00:00 -0400

Google is committing $50 million to help develop training programs across the country to meet the demand for skilled trades workers in HVAC and other sectors.

HVAC Workforce Crisis Expands Beyond Technicians to Instructor Shortages

chrisgray@achrnews.com (Chris Gray) — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 07:00:00 -0400

A lack of qualified instructors is hindering the HVACR industry’s ability to fill the 40,000 job openings projected annually over the next decade.

Heat Pump Hype to Hands-On Reality: The HVAC Skills Gap Contractors Can’t Ignore

Sat, 06 Jun 2026 07:00:00 -0400

As heat pumps and other advanced systems become more common, the gap between what’s possible and what’s practical will depend largely on workforce readiness.

Addressing the AI Training Gap in HVAC

chrisgray@achrnews.com (Chris Gray) — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 07:00:00 -0400

A survey from BuildOps shows the AI training gap present in HVAC. In this Q&A, learn how to overcome this gap, which can simultaneously address the workforce shortage.

HVAC Contractor Tackles Skilled Labor Gap with Donations, School Visits

chrisgray@achrnews.com (Chris Gray) — Wed, 27 May 2026 11:00:00 -0400

Eagle Pipe Heating & Air in Washington demonstrates the power community involvement has in making the trades attractive to the next generation.

Manufacturer Q&A: Bridging the Knowledge Gap in HVAC Training

chrisgray@achrnews.com (Chris Gray) — Wed, 20 May 2026 07:00:00 -0400

HVAC manufacturers share how they’re stepping up to ensure new technicians, and the instructors who teach them, are keeping up with modern technology.

3 Ways for HVAC Contractors to Drive Growth in 2026

Sat, 16 May 2026 07:00:00 -0400

BDR’s study showed that regularly reviewing financial statements and KPIs is closely tied to optimism, both about business growth and the broader economy.

Employer-Directed Skills Act Could Reimburse HVAC Training Costs

chrisgray@achrnews.com (Chris Gray) — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 13:00:00 -0400

The Employer-Directed Skills Act has been reintroduced to both chambers of Congress, offering a way to make training new hires easier and more affordable.

HVAC, Plumbing Sees 10% Fewer Workplace Fatalities in 2024

chrisgray@achrnews.com (Chris Gray) — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 16:00:00 -0400

The Bureau of Labor Statistics’ latest fatal injury workplace report shows an overall decline in incidents in the HVAC and plumbing category.

Employer-Directed Skills Act Could Reimburse HVAC Contractors for New Hire Training

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 13:00:00 -0400

Federal workforce dollars could soon flow directly to HVAC employers instead of training institutions

Closing the Skills Gap, One HVAC Technician at a Time

Fri, 06 Mar 2026 07:00:00 -0500

As the HVAC labor shortage intensifies, contractors and manufacturers are investing in training programs to prepare technicians for the field.

6 Ways to More Effectively Provide In-Field Training for New HVAC Technicians

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 07:00:00 -0500

Training HVAC technicians in the field does not have to come at the expense of productivity or day-to-day operations.

Beyond PowerPoint: Smarter, Gamified Ways to Train HVACR Technicians

bellolih@bnpmedia.com (Hannah Belloli-Oster) — Fri, 06 Feb 2026 07:00:35 -0500

Not every technician learns the same way, so why are they still being trained as if they do? By combining all types of learning styles, meeting techs where they are at, and gamifying activities, technicians retain more, apply more in the field, and feel more confident in their skills.

Rheem Reveals Sustainability Goals for 2035

chrisgray@achrnews.com (Chris Gray) — Mon, 02 Feb 2026 18:00:00 -0500

Rheem is raising the bar on sustainability with a new commitment to train more than a million HVAC contractors and industry professionals worldwide over the next decade.

From Jobsite to Instagram: How HVACR Influencers Are Recruiting Gen Z

mattjachman@achrnews.com (Matt Jachman) — Wed, 28 Jan 2026 07:00:00 -0500

Three young HVACR influencers talk about what they do on social media platforms to interest young people in HVACR.

Old School, New Risks: Why Standing Still Isn’t Safe in HVAC

mariataylor@achrnews.com (Maria Taylor) — Fri, 19 Dec 2025 07:00:00 -0500

“We’ve always done it this way” may just be the most dangerous phrase in the industry.

How Contractors Can Help the UA Recruit 30,000 Technicians — and Build Their Own Pipeline

bellolih@bnpmedia.com (Hannah Belloli-Oster) — Thu, 04 Dec 2025 07:00:00 -0500

The United Association’s push for 30,000 new HVACR professionals isn’t just about training — it’s about partnership. Contractors who engage with local trade programs and advisory committees are finding early access to the next generation of skilled technicians.

From Retirement Cliff to Renewal: How One HVAC Firm Got Younger

Sun, 23 Nov 2025 07:00:00 -0500

Most HVAC shops are staring at a retirement cliff. One Georgia contractor refused to wait for résumés that never came — and today his average technician is just 26.

The Mission Continues: Why America’s Veterans Belong in the Trades

mailto:chris@reputationigniter.com (Chris Lollini) — Tue, 11 Nov 2025 13:00:00 -0500

The trades are starving for skilled hands while thousands of veterans are quietly wondering what comes next.

Solving the HVAC Labor Shortage, One Internship at a Time

Sat, 18 Oct 2025 07:00:00 -0400

This wholesaler-school partnership offers students hands-on experience across the HVAC supply chain.

The Trades Are Back: HVACR Programs See Nearly 30% Enrollment Spike

mattjachman@achrnews.com (Matt Jachman) — Fri, 10 Oct 2025 07:00:00 -0400

A new wave of future technicians is entering the pipeline.

Are You Working to Enhance the Pro in Your Professional Technician Role?

Sun, 14 Sep 2025 07:00:00 -0400

From surgeons to pilots, the best never stop training — HVAC technicians shouldn’t either.

New HVAC 101 Training for Distributors in Development at HARDI

mattjachman@achrnews.com (Matt Jachman) — Thu, 11 Sep 2025 07:00:00 -0400

HVACR industry veteran Don Gillis has worked on both sides of the counter, as a technician and, later, a wholesaler. He’s now brought his technical training expertise to HARDI.

I Wasn’t Taught That: Things HVACR Techs Only Learn From the Field

bellolih@bnpmedia.com (Hannah Belloli-Oster) — Tue, 09 Sep 2025 07:00:00 -0400

In this article, three technicians shared the things they wish they’d known starting out, the mistakes that taught them the most, and the “unwritten rules” a tech can only learn on the job.

HVAC School ‘For Techs, By Techs’

bellolih@bnpmedia.com (Hannah Belloli-Oster) — Mon, 04 Aug 2025 07:00:00 -0400

HVAC School isn’t your typical training program — it doesn’t follow a set curriculum, nor does it operate out of a classroom. Instead, it’s an online resource and community created “For Techs, by Techs.”

83-Year-Old Texas Man Earns HVAC Degree

mattjachman@achrnews.com (Matt Jachman) — Fri, 04 Jul 2025 07:00:00 -0400

Octogenarian Rafael Aguirre didn’t let age get in the way of his pursuit of a degree in HVAC technology. Next, he plans to study automobile electrical systems.

What Makes an HVAC Apprenticeship Program Great?

bellolih@bnpmedia.com (Hannah Belloli-Oster) — Wed, 02 Jul 2025 13:00:00 -0400

What separates a good HVAC apprenticeship program from a great one is more than just textbooks and a curriculum — it’s about mindset, mentorship, and modern training methods that keep pace with an ever-evolving industry.

Legislation Could Expand 529 Plans to Include Trade Programs

bellolih@bnpmedia.com (Hannah Belloli-Oster) — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 17:00:00 -0400

A newly passed provision in the U.S. House could make entering the skilled trades more accessible.

Beat the Heat: Quick Safety Tips for HVAC Technicians

Tue, 24 Jun 2025 07:00:00 -0400

HVAC technicians are going to be called upon to keep others safe during this heatwave, but they need to remember to keep an eye on each other, as well

New Tech for New Techs: Using VR to Train and Retain Technicians

bellolih@bnpmedia.com (Hannah Belloli-Oster) — Wed, 11 Jun 2025 07:00:00 -0400

A mid-sized HVAC company in Virginia used VR to turn training into a competitive edge — and their approach might be the future of skilled trades education.