I am lucky enough to talk to contractors, both large and small, all across the U.S. Inevitably, when I ask them about their greatest challenge or greatest future challenge, the answer is always the same: The skilled trades labor shortage.
Much of the problem lies in public perceptions of plumbing and HVAC contractors, and that most people look upon these jobs as being dirty. Couple that with many high schools eliminating their career and technical education programs — often students’ first exposure to hands-on experiences which could influence their decision to choose a career in the trades — and school counselors pushing for college placement, often not even informing students of non-collegiate options, and the message to kids becomes: “You must have a college degree to succeed in the world.” Which, we know, couldn’t be farther from the truth.