The initiative is part of ACCA's broader effort to address a growing skilled trades workforce shortage by sparking interest in HVAC and plumbing careers at the earliest possible age.

With an estimated shortage of 110,000 technicians, the industry faces an urgent need to attract new talent. ACCA believes the solution starts long before a student sets foot in a trade school — it starts in the first grade. 

"The best time to show a kid that a career in the trades is exciting, rewarding, and worth pursuing is before anyone has told them otherwise," said James. "That's what these books are about — meeting kids where they are and letting them see themselves in this work."

James visited his own children's school in Arkansas last week to read The Air Came to a Stop to three first-grade classes. The visit drew enthusiastic responses from students and teachers alike, and underscored the simple but powerful impact of bringing a champion of the trades directly into a classroom.

The campaign also taps into a growing cultural shift. As artificial intelligence continues to reshape the workforce, skilled trades are increasingly recognized as some of the most future-proof careers available — hands-on, problem-solving work that cannot be automated. The number of parents who view career and technical education as the right path for their children has nearly tripled since 2019.

"We're not just addressing a workforce shortage — we're working to change the story about what a successful career looks like in America," James said. "The trades deserve the same respect and excitement as any other profession, and we're starting that conversation in classrooms."

To learn more about ACCA's children's book outreach program or to volunteer for a reading in your community, visit the ACCA website.