This post is an excerpt from an article in Contractor Magazine. To read the full article and learn more about the skills required to succeed in the HVAC and plumbing industries, click here.
According to industry data, more than 3.1 million skilled trades jobs will go unfilled in the next two years, making recruiting new industry professionals even more challenging than it is already. In states like Idaho, Washington and West Virginia, where a study by the Workforce Development Foundation found job postings are already going unfilled for 5-6 weeks on average, the problems will be even more severe.
Manufacturers like Copeland can help look across the industry and provide the platform for training, offer tools that address challenges and develop technology that brings greater efficiency to skilled trades workers.
Hands-on Instruction
Copeland’s Greenlee business provides commercial and residential electrical certifications via trade schools across the country with its GreenApple Labs. GreenApple Labs was introduced to address the skills gap that is impacting the electrical trade. When a student completes the program, they have developed the necessary skills to perform the industries required tasks, allowing them to provide value on day one of entering the workforce. The program includes a standardized curriculum taught in a classroom environment, as well as competency-based, hands-on work in a simulated work environment.
The RIDGID brand offers custom, hands-on training by expert instructors to students, teachers and apprentices in schools and union halls. The company supports SkillsUSA, SkillsCanada and the national PHCC with donations of RIDGID tools and expertise.
Copeland Educational services helps contractors stay abreast of the fast-changing HVACR industry, offering online and instructor-led courses in topics like compressor applications and technologies, failure avoidance and system technologies, and a hands-on AC/refrigeration simulator.
Copeland’s Industry Partnerships
Copeland has partnerships with and has members on the board of several leading trade schools, so we do a lot of work with young people. We promote the industry through our affiliations with industry groups like NATE, ACCA, PHCC and PAHRA.
Additional industry partnerships in the electrical industry through the Greenlee business include NECA, IBEW, NC3 (National Coalition of Certification Centers) and IEC. Through our affiliations with industry associations and trade schools Copeland works to elevate and build skilled trades as a career option.
Copeland provides scholarships through PHCC and donates tools as prizes to winners of state and local SKILLS competitions. The company’s Greenlee business has also supported the skilled trades through donations of tools for student competitions and graduations.
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