National Technical Letter of Intent Signing Day is a successful event that has been held each of the last four years, helping thousands of students achieve their moments of glory at more than 40 schools as they prepare for rewarding careers in the skilled trades.
Five years after appearing on Undercover Boss and working alongside a female service professional in a male-dominated industry, the Women in the Trades (WITT) program launched by Dina Dwyer-Owens and The Dwyer Group Inc. is celebrating an important milestone as it continues to assist and advance career opportunities for women across the service trades.
There are many advantages to getting a technical education in the HVAC industry — students learn the science behind heating and cooling systems, how to troubleshoot and correct problems, and what to expect on the job site, among other critical lessons. Earning that degree or certification can help those pursuing a career in the HVAC trades stand out from the rest, but educational costs can quickly add up.
In my own personal experience, being a woman who has been embraced by the HVAC community, the common devisor is not gender related at all. I believe it to be a perceived lack of opportunity.
Contractors started out 2017 feeling positive about short-term growth, according to ACCA, which reported its January 2017 Contractor Comfort Index (CCI) scored a 78 — up two points from its January 2016 rating.
Finding ways to ensure America’s next generation of workers develop interest in the skilled trades and want to make careers out of the work is in the best interest of all who are part of HVAC.
What the Trump presidency portends for the future is anyone’s guess, but contractors have definite opinions about how their businesses fared in 2016 and what they’re concerned about in 2017.