HVACR employers are having a difficult time filling positions, especially for refrigeration and HVAC technicians, which take 44 and 36 days longer, respectively, than the national average of 29 days for similar positions.

The need for more HVACR technicians was one of the issues that took center stage at the recent 2015 HVACR & Mechanical Conference for Education Professionals, where industry educators attended three days of seminars, classes, and networking events designed to foster collaboration within the industry.

The more data the foundation can gather, the better the study will be, and the more useful it can be to you. And, when the study does come out, it stands to be a valuable tool for all in the industry to bring to their local school districts as evidence of the success a career in this industry can create.

The NEWS will examine the results of this survey later this year. The survey is open to all industry educators, and responses are due by April 15. 

Keynote speakers for the HVACR & Mechanical Conference for Education Professionals have been announced today, and they will be featured at the event set for March 9-11, 2015, at the Conference Center at the Maritime Institute in Linthicum Heights, Maryland.

Free registration for the HVACR & Mechanical Conference for Education Professionals is now available for the 2015 conference, to help instructors of training and apprenticeship programs in HVACR and water heating to learn the latest technological advancements and improve their training and teaching skills.

The fact that a worker shortage extends well beyond the HVAC industry means that we must compete with other trades for the same shrinking pool of potential workers.