ESCO Group announced the appointment of Renee Tomlinson as executive director of ESCO Institute, and as an executive board member of ESCO Group, effective Feb. 1. Tomlinson joined the ESCO team in 2011 after spending 17 years with the Refrigeration Service Engineers Society. Over the last several years, Tomlinson has worked in various roles within ESCO Group to help the organization meet its long-term goals for industry advancement.
Will Gresham, executive vice president, Dynatemp Intl., said the company plans to focus on its revamped reclamation program, partner wholesalers, and education this year.
So with such an obvious demand for workers, why are kids choosing to enter other industries? Well, findings from the Electric & Gas Industries Association (EGIA) Foundation’s 2018 Industry Study "Bridging the HVAC Employment Gap" point to lack of awareness and poor reputation.
Once only found in mild climates, the technology now stretches across the U.S., thanks to advances in inverter technology and zone controls. On the other hand, the level of sophistication in these systems sometimes makes them difficult to troubleshoot when something goes wrong.
Along with the good news about a booming economy and low unemployment rates come challenges for manufacturers that are trying to hire skilled employees. The National Association of Manufacturers said about 500,000 manufacturing jobs are open, and many experts believe this is due to a severe skills gap.
Much as a doctor performs tests to gather clues about a patient’s ailment, service technicians use tools and procedures to accurately pinpoint why an HVACR system will not function properly. The principles guiding these troubleshooting steps are universal, even if their implementation is not.
NATE certification means something because it involves a commitment and reflects reliability and proficiency. According to NATE, around 34,000 technicians have reached that status, with over 5,300 contractors getting their own certifications.
These technologies continue to evolve and change as systems become more efficient and as new methods are discovered to improve the refrigeration cycle. As such, the importance of continuing education cannot be emphasized enough.