Alarming Statistics…

•  “Average” job growth; 7-13% thru 2016* – Replacement/service

for recent homes – Service for complex

equipment –  IAQ focus – Hi-efficiency products

*US Dept. of Labor Occupation Outlook Handbook, 2008

“Prospects”

•  Considered “excellent”* – Jobs available vs.

job applicants –  “Labor shortage”

•  Organic growth – new opportunities

•  Experienced techs retiring

*US Dept. of Labor Occupation Outlook Handbook, 2008

More Statistics

•  Over next 6 years…* – Plumbing jobs ↑ 17% – HVAC jobs ↑ 29%

•  Add annual retirements – Some 60,000

plumbers – 27,000 HVAC techs

*Source: PHCC

What’s It all Mean?

•  Need 700,000 new bodies by 2014! •  Can’t be

outsourced •  Can’t be sent

overseas •  Who’s gonna

fill ‘em?

What About Now?

•  91% of PHCC companies say finding qualified help is most important business issue!

Carl D. Perkins Act

•  For Vocational & Technical Education

•  1984 – many revisions – Career

development – all students

– $3 Billion annually to fund vo-tech programs

2006 Revision

•  By May 2008: – All states submit multi-year plan to

DOE – To “develop more fully the academic

and career and technical skills of secondary education students and post secondary education students who elect to enroll in career and technical educations programs.”

What Can We Do?

•  Trade associations: – Promote trade in all schools – Lobby, alliances, programs

•  Manufacturers: – Application based

training – Meaningful level

of achievement

What Can We Do?

•  Reps & Wholesalers – Promote manufacturer/trade

association training

– Not just tech training!

What Can We Do?

•  Contractors – Run biz profitably – Education your

people – NATE/NORA

certifications