The skilled labor shortage has been a persistent topic across the trades, but for many service businesses, it’s no longer just a talking point, it’s an everyday operational challenge.

That reality feels especially relevant as the industry recognizes National Skilled Trades Day, a reminder of the critical role technicians play in keeping systems running and businesses moving. It also highlights a growing concern: who will fill those roles in the years ahead?

Across the industry, companies are facing a widening gap between the demand for skilled technicians and the available workforce to meet it. Experienced workers are reaching retirement age, fewer young people are entering the trades, and at the same time, the work itself is becoming more complex. New equipment technologies, evolving customer expectations, and the need for faster, more reliable service are all raising the bar for what today’s technicians need to know.

For contractors and service organizations, that combination creates real pressure. Jobs are harder to staff, training takes longer, and the margin for error continues to shrink. The question is no longer whether the industry needs more people, it’s how to build a sustainable pipeline of talent that can keep up with both current demand and future growth.

Some companies are beginning to rethink how they approach that challenge, moving away from traditional models that rely on experienced hires or formal trade school pathways. Instead, they are investing earlier in the process, focusing on accessibility, hands-on training, and creating clearer entry points for individuals who may not have considered a career in the trades.

Kristen Nowak, president of field service at Unlimited Service Group, is seeing these shifts firsthand. Working closely with technicians, service teams, and manufacturer partners across the country, she brings a practical perspective on where the workforce gaps are forming, what’s driving them, and how new approaches to training and development are helping reshape the talent pipeline.

Kristen Nowak, president of field service at Unlimited Service Group. Image courtesy of Unlimited Service Group. 

With demand for skilled trades workers continuing to rise, what are you seeing on the ground in terms of workforce gaps, and how urgent is the need today?

The need for skilled trades workers is very real across the foodservice repair industry. We're seeing more experienced technicians reach retirement age and not enough new workers entering the trades to fill the gaps. At the same time, the volume and complexity of service needs continue to grow as our manufacturer partners develop new technology for their equipment.

While there is a clear need for skilled talent, meeting this demand starts with attracting people who want to become technicians and are seeking a hands-on trades career path. Then, we can lean into providing high-quality training, apprentice opportunities and resources into the future. To make the trades more accessible and prepare technicians for today’s complex market, we need clear, attainable pathways to the training individuals need to succeed. Not investing in these training resources for new talent results in a gap that puts real pressure on service businesses and customers alike.” 

Training Unlimited flips the traditional model by hiring first and training second. What led to that approach, and how is it changing the way new talent enters the trades?

“By investing in the training and development of our technicians, we are investing in the future of the commercial foodservice industry. We know that service technicians are the backbone of our industry, and like many in the trades, we've faced challenges in hiring.

Traditional paths into the trades often require unpaid schooling or time spent without income, which can be unrealistic for many. Commercial foodservice equipment repair is also a specialized field that requires a unique set of skills and training that can take time. 

Unlimited Service Group flipped the script by building our Training Unlimited School. Training Unlimited provides those with little to no experience, but a strong willingness to learn, an opportunity to get into a great industry with a strong career path. The program teaches the skills needed for technicians to be safe as they learn to support our customers and manufacturer partners across our more than 40 local service companies. We are not just filling positions, we're welcoming technicians into our industry, into the Unlimited Service Group family and setting a benchmark for quality in the field. 

Unlike other training programs, Training Unlimited is guided by Unlimited Service Group’s dedication to the successful relationships with our community of leading hometown service organizations. As the field service arm of the larger Parts Town Unlimited organization, Training Unlimited is founded on the organization’s core values: safety, integrity, community, passion, courage, and innovation. 

We set our graduates up for success as they gain foundational skills and work towards increasing first-time fix rates, helping to reduce equipment downtime and enhance overall performance and customer experience. This unified training approach ensures customers receive consistent, high-quality service from knowledgeable technicians, resulting in faster solutions and long-term, trusting relationships.”

One of the biggest barriers to entry is cost. How does offering paid training with no tuition or student debt impact recruitment and completion rates? 

“Training and schooling costs are one of the biggest barriers to entering the trades, and we see that firsthand. When people can complete training and earn a paycheck without taking on additional tuition costs or student debt, it completely changes the game. This approach allows trainees to focus on learning instead of worrying about finances or repaying loans, and they’re more likely to succeed.

To date, Training Unlimited has seen 110 successful graduates and 21 graduating classes. We also invest in additional education after Training Unlimited graduation, having sponsored 61 CFESA certifications. This training approach sends a powerful message to trainees that this is an investment in their long-term career, not a temporary job. It provides a sense of stability that in turn has proven to help drive engagement and commitment from day one.”

For younger generations who may be reconsidering the traditional college path, what makes a career in commercial foodservice equipment repair an attractive and sustainable option?

“A career in the trades can provide younger generations with long-term stability as there will always be a need for people in the equipment repair industry. Field service technicians perform hands-on work that cannot be easily replaced or replicated by AI, making it a sustainable career with strong, long-term job security.

Commercial foodservice equipment repair can also provide meaningful work with a clear career progression track and strong earning potential. Those who start in the field can work their way into field specializations or grow into leadership and management roles. Every community relies on essential restaurant and food services such as schools, hospitals, nursing homes and correctional facilities, meaning technician work remains critical and in demand even amid economic downturns.

Those in commercial foodservice equipment repair solve real problems for customers who rely on their equipment every day, and it’s a career in an industry that will always need a human touch.”

Looking ahead, what more needs to be done—by companies, educators or the industry as a whole—to bring more untapped talent into the skilled trades?

“There’s an entire generation of untapped potential, and the service industry needs to rethink how it attracts and invests in that talent. In commercial foodservice equipment repair, that starts by establishing clear training pathways and creating workplaces where skilled people can build successful, long-term careers.

Investing in early training, mentorship and professional development makes the career path through the trades more visible and attainable for new trainees. Introducing trades education as early as middle and high school can also build awareness sooner and help younger generations see the trades as a viable and respected pathway to career success.

As an industry, we need to modernize how we talk about the trades, highlighting the stability, growth and long-term opportunities this career offers. There’s a large, ready talent pool waiting to get started, and by investing early and committing to establishing clear, accessible training resources, we can bring the next generation of talent into the field.”