.bodytext {float: left; } .floatimg-left-hort { float:left; margin-top:10px; margin-right: 10px; width:300px; clear:left;} .floatimg-left-caption-hort { float:left; margin-bottom:10px; width:300px; margin-right:10px; clear:left;} .floatimg-left-vert { float:left; margin-top:10px; margin-right:15px; width:200px;} .floatimg-left-caption-vert { float:left; margin-right:10px; margin-bottom:10px; font-size: 10px; width:200px;} .floatimg-right-hort { float:right; margin-top:10px; margin-left:10px; margin-bottom:10px; width: 300px;} .floatimg-right-caption-hort { float:left; margin-right:10px; margin-bottom:10px; width: 300px; font-size: 10px; } .floatimg-right-vert { float:right; margin-top:10px; margin-left:10px; margin-bottom:10px; width: 200px;} .floatimg-right-caption-vert { float:left; margin-right:10px; margin-bottom:10px; width: 200px; font-size: 10px; } .floatimgright-sidebar { float:right; margin-top:10px; margin-left:10px; margin-bottom:10px; width: 200px; border-top-style: double; border-top-color: black; border-bottom-style: double; border-bottom-color: black;} .floatimgright-sidebar p { line-height: 115%; text-indent: 10px; } .floatimgright-sidebar h4 { font-variant:small-caps; } .pullquote { float:right; margin-top:10px; margin-left:10px; margin-bottom:10px; width: 150px; background: url(http://www.dmbusinessdaily.com/DAILY/editorial/extras/closequote.gif) no-repeat bottom right !important ; line-height: 150%; font-size: 125%; border-top: 1px solid; border-bottom: 1px solid;} .floatvidleft { float:left; margin-bottom:10px; width:325px; margin-right:10px; clear:left;} .floatvidright { float:right; margin-bottom:10px; width:325px; margin-right:10px; clear:left;} The specialty contracting sector, like many other parts of the economy, has a labor problem. Workers in this area install and service heating, cooling and refrigeration equipment, wire buildings and install and service plumbing. However, this work force is aging. According to a recent survey by MEP Jobs, an employment Web site catering to this sector, 78 percent of current workers are ages 31 to 59. Only 10 percent fall into the critical 18 to 25 demographic. In short, over the next few years we will have fewer men and women to build and take care of our wiring, heating, cooling and plumbing needs.

Why the shortfall? Part of the problem is perception. In a society that values a college education, the specialty contracting employers typically require only an associate’s degree and various certifications. A four-year degree is less important than knowledge of specific local, state and government requirements.

There is also the perception that a plumber, electrician or HVAC worker will earn less but work more than a typical office worker. In fact, according to the abovementioned survey, 46 percent of these workers are earning $65,000 or more per year. Many workers move from employee to employer as they gain skills and experience, setting up their own plumbing, HVAC or electrical firm.

In the age of technology and air-conditioned office parks, there is also a reluctance on the part of high school students to seek a career that involves “getting your hands dirty.” Because of all the misconceptions, the industry is struggling to find the people it needs for the coming decades.

What can be done?

Industry leaders are pursuing numerous approaches. Because Hispanics are the largest minority group in the United States, many contractors are reaching out to this segment of the population with special training programs and bilingual supervisory staff. Some specialty contractors are also joining forces with local technical schools and community colleges to provide both financial and technical support for training programs. In fact, some participate in career days at local high schools to spark students’ interest in a specialty contracting career.

The Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute has also partnered with 12 other major industry associations to form the Career Education Coalition, which reaches out to potential employees to educate them about the industry. In addition, many major manufacturers have created training programs and internships specifically designed to reach high school students before they make their final decisions about further schooling and careers.

The bottom line is there is no quick fix. Perceptions are slow to change and recruiting youths to the specialty contracting industry is a task that requires persistence, patience and resources.

However, as industry professionals know, not everyone is interested in becoming a programmer or doctor. They’re counting on a new generation that’s willing to get its hands dirty.

Jeff Dickey-Chasins is vice president of marketing at Industry People Group Inc. and MEP Jobs.