HVAC Blog Blog

HVAC Blog

The HVAC Blog is the place for conversation and discussion about building HVAC control, energy conservation and efficiency, heating, and cooling. Here, you'll find everything from application ideas, to news and industry trends, to hot topics and cutting edge innovations.
Previous in Blog: Not Licensed? Not Cool!   Next in Blog: HVAC Movie Stars
Close

Comments Format:






Change Mode
Close

Subscribe to Discussion:

CR4 allows you to "subscribe" to a discussion
so that you can be notified of new comments to
the discussion via email.

Close

Rating Vote:







Add Vote
7 comments
Rate Comments: Nested

Where are the Techs?

Posted August 28, 2014 12:00 AM by Engineering360 eNewsletter

Business is booming in the HVAC industry as efficient new designs, wireless thermostat installations, upgrades to attain LEED certification, and other tasks are keeping contractors busy. There's just one problem: Finding qualified workers to install and service these systems. Industry leaders say the shortage is due to 1) fewer schools offering the right training programs, 2) HVAC technology that is far more complex than ever before, and perhaps most disturbingly, 3) a lack of interest among younger employees to make a commitment to the industry. The Sacramento Bee spoke to contractors and educators across California to explain what's wrong with HVAC recruitment, and to show how the problem can be fixed.

Editor's Note: This news brief was brought to you by the HVAC eNewsletter. Subscribe today to have content like this delivered to your inbox

Reply

Interested in this topic? By joining CR4 you can "subscribe" to
this discussion and receive notification when new comments are added.

Good Answers:

These comments received enough positive votes to make them "good answers".

"Almost" Good Answers:

Check out these comments that don't yet have enough votes to be "official" good answers and, if you agree with them, vote them!
SolarEagle
Guru

Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: by the beach in Florida
Posts: 33392
Good Answers: 1817
#1

Re: Where are the Techs?

08/28/2014 9:05 PM

This hasn't changed in 40 years....There are a finite number of people that are able and willing to do this type of work....there is always a shortage of good mechanics....

__________________
 All living things seek to control their own destiny....this is the purpose of life
Reply Score 1 for Good Answer
Go to Next "Almost" Good Answer
vtbgiraud
Commentator

Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 80
Good Answers: 4
#2

Re: Where are the Techs?

08/28/2014 11:38 PM

Another thing, low wages. I know of an experienced HVAC mechanic in Spokane WA that makes $11.00 / hour, that is if the customers he services pay their bills. It is the going rate in that city. I told him to come to Canada, lots of work in the oil patch.
Reply Score 1 for Good Answer
Go to Next "Almost" Good Answer
SolarEagle
Guru

Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: by the beach in Florida
Posts: 33392
Good Answers: 1817
#3
In reply to #2

Re: Where are the Techs?

08/29/2014 12:35 AM

He'd be better off getting a job as a truck driver.....there seems to be shortage....in the right market you can clear $100g's....

__________________
 All living things seek to control their own destiny....this is the purpose of life
Reply
3
redfred
Guru
Engineering Fields - Electrical Engineering - Been there, done that. Engineering Fields - Control Engineering - New Member

Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Long Island NY
Posts: 15600
Good Answers: 981
#4
In reply to #2

Re: Where are the Techs?

08/29/2014 10:12 AM

This is a repeating absurdity across multiple businesses. "How can we recruit more high quality workers to our lowest paid ranks?"

__________________
 "Don't disturb my circles." translation of Archimedes last words
Reply Good Answer (Score 3)
No more Good Answers. Go to first "Almost" Good Answer
Doorman
Guru
Hobbies - DIY Welding - Don't Know What Made The Old Title Attractive... Popular Science - Weaponology - New Member United States - US - Statue of Liberty - 60 Year Member

Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Yellowstone Valley, in Big Sky Country
Posts: 7425
Good Answers: 295
#5
In reply to #4

Re: Where are the Techs?

08/29/2014 10:40 AM

Redfred, you have given me yet another pearl.

Well stated, and spot on.

__________________
 Semper Ubi Sub Ubi
Reply
BIN95
Power-User
Engineering Fields - Control Engineering - Control Engineering Technical Fields - Education - Industrial Training Engineering Fields - Manufacturing Engineering - Manufacturing Training Engineering Fields - Electrical Engineering - Electrical engineering Training Engineering Fields - Instrumentation Engineering - Instrumentation Engineering United States - Member - New Member Engineering Fields - Energy Engineering - Become part of the larger group, change your world.

Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Posts: 266
Good Answers: 1
#6
In reply to #4

Re: Where are the Techs?

08/29/2014 3:49 PM

Dito RedFred!

I am not going to go off on one of my rants here, but I did here ...

Manufacturing Career Path Suffers Education Skills Gap

Don

__________________
 AB PLC Training onsite, On-Line, training software and more. BIN95.com
Reply
markar
Power-User
United States - Member - US Navy Veteran

Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you're wrong.
Posts: 301
Good Answers: 22
#7

Re: Where are the Techs?

08/30/2014 11:54 PM

Most things in life are cyclical, we simply reap what we sow.

If you stick around long enough you'll most likely see the greed that's creating this mess come full circle and drastically change the business models, profit margins and unrealistic customer expectations that exist today.

I've personally poured 120% into the HVAC&R industry - and then - turned around and apprenticed to a journeyman level machinist - and walked away from both trades because of the crappy compensation packages and lowering standards.

These were both industries that I thought I would spend the rest of my life in but I had to choose providing for my family over getting the buzz from saving the day or making something from practically nothing.

Companies used to compete to see who could do the BEST WORK - but now it's about who can do it CHEAPEST which is driven as much by the customers as by the business owners. If businesses charge less for their work, they typically pay their help less, and get less of an employee as a result. The customer gets crappy workmanship and/or equipment and then turns around and brags about it.

I preach the importance of apprenticeships as well as compliance with codes and standards to avoid crappy workmanship but most people don't get it.

__________________
 You never know when it will strike, but there comes a moment when you know that you just aren't going to do anything productive for the rest of the day.
Reply Score 1 for Good Answer
No more "Almost" Good Answers.
Reply to Blog Entry
Have a Different Question?
7 comments

Good Answers:

These comments received enough positive votes to make them "good answers".

"Almost" Good Answers:

Check out these comments that don't yet have enough votes to be "official" good answers and, if you agree with them, vote them!
Copy to Clipboard

Users who posted comments:

BIN95 (1); Doorman (1); markar (1); redfred (1); SolarEagle (2); vtbgiraud (1)

Previous in Blog: Not Licensed? Not Cool!   Next in Blog: HVAC Movie Stars

Advertisement

Got Something to Say?
Ask a Question
Start a Discussion

Search this Section
Civil Engineering:
Go

Search this Blog
HVAC Blog:
Go

Recent Blog Entries

CR4 Sections
Aerospace
BioMech & BioMed
Chemical & Material Science
Civil Engineering
Communications & Electronics
Education and Engineering Careers
Electrical Engineering
General Discussion
Instrumentation
Manufacturing
Mechanical Engineering
New Technologies & Research
Software & Programming
Sustainable Engineering
Transportation

Site Directories
Forum Directory
Blog Directory
User Group Directory
RSS Feeds

CR4 Rules of Conduct
CR4 FAQ
Site Glossary

Who's Online (66 right now)
Show Members
Advertisement