Recruiting the next generation requires that you understand how the people you are seeking to hire view their career choices. Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) confirms what contractors already know about trying to hire new employees – there are more job openings than qualified people to fill them. Projections show more than 80,000 new job openings for plumbers, pipefitters, and HVAC technicians every year for the next decade. The financial cost to the economy for just those unfilled plumbing and pipefitter roles was approximately $33 billion in 2022, according to Bloomberg research. While the need for more workers is making news, there is evidence of changing viewpoints about careers in the trades that may help. This information was gathered by the PHCC Educational Foundation.

Recruiting and retaining the next generation requires you to think about it beyond the tactical approach of putting out an advertisement, going to career fairs, or hoping a good candidate walks in the door. PHCC contractors know the trades are a great career choice, but sometimes communicating that to a potential hire is difficult. We have identified seven key points that can help you convince workers to consider the trades as you build your own recruitment and retention strategy. Here are the first three:

• Earn while you learn. Apprenticeship programs offer the students the ability to work and earn while they are attending classes. This can make lifetime earnings greater than others who struggle to find work and bounce across low-paying jobs.
• Lower education costs for an in-demand career that will pay as well, if not better, than a traditional college degree - and will not be easily replaced by artificial intelligence.
• High earnings possible. The workforce shortage means demand for workers and huge potential for rewarding pay. Median salary data from the BLS shows plumbers and pipefitters earning an average of $60,090 in 2022; the highest 10% earned more than $101,190.
• Job security. The 80,000 new job openings per year means opportunities to find work is plentiful. Plus, the skills learned in trades education are very foundational. – plumbers and HVAC technicians are ideal candidates for project management roles, sales, estimating, and starting your own contractor business. While spending a career at a plumber or HVAC technician is a great way to build wealth, those who are interested can pursue even greater growth.
• Not a “dirty job.” Most people immediately equate plumber to fixing clogged toilets, but the job is so much more. HVAC technicians have less of this issue but still get labeled a dirty job. All PHCC members need to help eliminate this stigma in order to get more people interested.
• What you learn is higher education. We live in a society that has incorrectly pushed 4-year traditional college degrees for decades as the only way to have the “American Dream.” The 4-year apprentice program that is required by the State of Indiana, and the curriculum for HVAC training that most PHCC members follow provides good, if not a better, preparation for financial stability. Mathematical skills, physics, and quite a bit of psychology (when dealing with customers) are what should be taught in college.
• Finally, remind the recruits and their parents that plumbers and HVAC technicians are critical to the public health of the residents of Indiana. Without clean water and clean air, the health of our nation would suffer.

So let us come together to help our industry continue to recruit and retain the next generation.