Press-Release

For More Information Contact
Thomas M. Tebbe - National Programs Director
Tel 877-394-5268
Email ttebbe@hvacexcellence.org

For Immediate Release

United States Department of Labor to Address the Employment Trends and Prospects for HVAC Technicians

It is no secret that the skilled labor workforce in the United States is aging and retiring in mass numbers. The secret is what jobs will be available in the decades to come. Specifically, what types of jobs will be hot in the HVACR industry.

The United States Department of Labor - Bureau of Labor Statistics will be presenting "An Economic Perspective on the Prospects for HVAC Technicians: A Future in the Green Economy". This presentation will assist HVACR educators in directly their training to the jobs of tomorrow.

In 2004, heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers held about 270,000 jobs in the U.S., with most of these workers employed by plumbing, heating and air conditioning contractors. The remainder was employed by a variety of industries, reflecting a widespread dependence on climate-control systems. As a result of the increasing emphasis on energy efficiency and the greater complexity of these systems is leading to excellent prospects for mechanics and installers with training from accredited technical schools and apprenticeship training. These prospects are even more profound in the fastest growing areas of the country.

Mr. Richard Holden, from the United States Department of Labor - Bureau of Labor Statistics will be providing a great deal of information beneficial to educators in the HVAC industry: Knowing which part of the country will have what types of jobs, What technologies need to be taught, What part of the industry will have the most growth, What part of the industry will have the best paying jobs. Mr. Holden will provide projections of industry demand for these skilled technicians as compared to other occupations and the overall labor force, future earnings prospects, and skills transfer possibilities from related occupations in the context of a “green” economy (energy efficient). All of this information will assist educators and administrators in directing their programs towards the jobs of the future and the money.

Mr. Holden is the Regional Commissioner for the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Pacific Region. As commissioner, he is responsible for the data collection efforts for the Consumer Price Index, Producer Price Index, International Price Index, National Compensation Survey, Employment Cost Index, as well as cooperative statistical programs for employment and wages in his region.

Mr. Holden will be presenting this information to HVACR Educators, Trainers, Administrators and other interested parties at theNational HVACR Educators and Trainers Conference in Las Vegas, March 16-19, l2008 at the Imperial Palace Hotel.

We all know that there will be more jobs in the HVAC industry than applicants in years to come. The key is to know which jobs are the hot jobs of the future, and follow the money.