Field GuidesComprehensive Learning ProgramStructured Learning Interplay Learning, the leading provider of immersive training for the skilled trades, today announced the launch of its new In-the-Field Guides. These mobile-optimized, interactive resources are part of a comprehensive, structured development program that extends learning to maintenance technicians at the exact moment they need it most: in the field Read more
Skilled Trades
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Interplay Learning, the leading provider of immersive training for the skilled trades, today announced the launch of its new In-the-Field Guides. These mobile-optimized, interactive resources are part of a comprehensive, structured development program that extends learning to maintenance technicians at the exact moment they need it most: in the field.
Field Guides
Purpose-built for real-world troubleshooting, these step-by-step digital guides complement structured learning with just-in-time instruction and help reinforce key repair and diagnostic tasks. With an intuitive, mobile-first design, technicians can easily access the guidance they need while on the job, without halting their workflow or waiting for support from a supervisor.
The initial launch focuses on high-demand repair scenarios in the multi-family industry, with training on critical equipment such as electric and gas water heaters, electric ranges, dishwashers, refrigerators, washers and dryers, and heat pump systems. These are among the most common systems technicians encounter in the field and are often associated with service calls that demand quick, confident action. Additional scenarios, including mini split systems, will be added soon to expand support even further.
Each In-the-Field Guide offers a structured, yet interactive experience that walks technicians through identifying system components, locating parts, and taking accurate measurements. At each stage, short knowledge checks are integrated to keep technicians engaged and to reinforce proper decision-making. Most importantly, the guides are fully optimized for mobile devices, making them easy to reference during live troubleshooting without returning to the shop or a training room.
Comprehensive Learning Program
These new guides act as a powerful extension of Interplay’s comprehensive learning program, helping bridge the gap between training and real-world application. By pairing the guides with hands-on instruction, foundational coursework and assessments, organizations create the cohesive learning experience that’s necessary to build true competence and confidence on the job. Together, these tools ensure technicians are not only prepared for the moment but are continuously developing the skills they need to grow and succeed over time.
A well-rounded training program helps companies achieve meaningful improvements in performance and consistency. Teams are better equipped to improve first-time fix rates and reduce downtime. With In-the-Field Guides, they can also reinforce standardized troubleshooting processes on the job while boosting technician confidence and reducing the need for callbacks or outsourcing.
Structured Learning
“When something breaks, techs don’t need to pause and search for answers. They need guidance in the moment,” said Doug Donovan, CEO and founder of Interplay Learning. “In-the-Field Guides are designed to extend structured learning into the flow of work, giving technicians real-time, situational support. When paired with foundational training, they help build a more confident, capable workforce that’s ready for whatever the day brings.”
The launch of In-the-Field Guides is a major step in Interplay’s commitment to delivering modern, performance-driven training solutions. More mobile-first tools are already in development and will be released later this year, continuing the company’s mission to meet learners where they are and provide the real-world support today’s technicians need. To learn more, visit www.interplaylearning.com.
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Skilled Careers Coalition Study Reveals Closing the Knowledge Gap is Key to Inspire Young People to Pursue a Skilled Career Los Angeles — The solution to closing the widening skilled labor gap and filling the millions of jobs anticipated between now and 2031 in sectors like manufacturing, logistics, and other skilled industries, can be found Read more
Skilled Careers Coalition Study Reveals Closing the Knowledge Gap is Key to Inspire Young People to Pursue a Skilled Career
Los Angeles — The solution to closing the widening skilled labor gap and filling the millions of jobs anticipated between now and 2031 in sectors like manufacturing, logistics, and other skilled industries, can be found among the U.S.’ more than 65 million youth between the ages of 10-24. The challenge however, according to the Skilled Careers Coalition (SCC), a nonprofit organization focused on bringing the youth of today to the skilled careers of tomorrow, is ensuring young adults and those who influence their career decisions understand a skilled career vs. the more traditional college or military track.
With skilled trades in high demand, Skilled Careers Coalition commissioned the Skilled Trade Insight Research Study to better understand why skilled careers are not being pursued by more young people.
“Our study found the leading obstacle preventing more young people from pursuing a skilled career is not a lack of interest, but a lack of information,” said Mark Hedstrom, Co-Executive Director, Skilled Careers Coalition. “Students have a clear idea of where a four-year college degree or military education can take them, however, they have little to no understanding about vocational schools and apprenticeships, and the dozens of high-paying, skills-based careers that exist across hundreds of industry sectors.”
Students, counselors and parents surveyed shared their perceptions on skilled trades vs. college and military career paths as part of the SCC study which found financial security is the top motivator for youth when choosing a career path, with 76% agreeing that a career in the skilled trades can lead to owning a business and entrepreneurial success. Students surveyed were also drawn to other key aspects of a skilled trade career including job stability, less debt, high quality of life, and high-income potential.
And yet, the SCC study found that only 15% of students surveyed were considering a technical or vocational school or apprenticeship post high school. A lack of information – cited by students, parents and counselors surveyed – emerged as the barrier keeping more youth from considering a skilled career path.
According to the SCC study, a majority of parents (80.3%), counselors (91.3%) and students (92%) surveyed agree that skilled trade workers are as important as first responders and service members. Additionally, when asked if society views those with a traditional college degree as more successful than those who pursue another option, 27% of counselors, 21.3% of parents, and 25.2% of students disagreed. Additional findings from the Skilled Careers Coalition study include:
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Students: 69% said it is outdated to assume a four-year degree is the best pathway to success; while more than 43% said they need more information on technical or vocational schools as an option.
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Parents: While 80% said they have the most influence on their child’s decision-making; less than half (48.8%) admit they do not have enough information about starting the technical or vocational school process for their child. Meanwhile, 84% believe skilled trades provide a stable career path, less time in school, less debt and an overall better quality of life.
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Counselors: Despite their positive perceptions about the skilled trades, more than half (53.9%) of counselors surveyed cite a lack of resources to help guide students who are interested in pursuing skilled trades or vocational programs; while 57% cite workload challenges preventing them from being able to properly understand what future path is best for a student. The majority of counselors surveyed (90%) agree they need to share more information with students and parents about a skilled career option.
Click here to download the complete nine-page Skilled Careers Coalition Skilled Trade Insight Research Study report.
According to SCC, colleges, universities and the military spend as much as $2.3 billion combined marketing to young adults with the goal of recruiting high school students post-graduation. However, for millions of high schoolers, these two options either lack appeal, or just don’t work.
Added Hedstrom, “Millions have built meaningful lives and careers in the skilled trades sector, which is experiencing the greatest demand as the skilled labor gap continues to widen. Skilled Careers Coalition is committed to working with our partners and stakeholders to address the knowledge gap that exists and advance a reimagining of skilled careers as a meaningful and fulfilling career path for younger generations.”
About the Study In June 2022, Skilled Careers Coalition conducted an online survey and series of focus groups in partnership with the American School Counselor Association (ASCA). SCC’s Skilled Trade Insight Research Study methodology included students, counselors and parents and a total of 665 respondents with a margin of error of +/- 3.9%.
About Skilled Careers Coalition The Skilled Careers Coalition is on a mission to close the skilled trades gap in America with a three-pronged strategy to 1) INSPIRE the next generation of youth to see skilled careers as a pathway to lifelong happiness, financial success and career fulfillment; 2) CONNECT the disaggregated ecosystem of skilled trades across America by convening stakeholders across the workforce development landscape of private industry, educators, government, youth, and other interested career seekers; and 3) CONVERT interested Americans into the workforce of tomorrow through available and nascent job training platforms. For more information or to get involved visit https://skilledcareers.org.
Local Students to Gain Hands-On Experience at Citizens Bank Park on April 24 and August 1 Philadelphia—The Philadelphia Phillies and NEST, the pioneer of integrated facilities management, are joining forces to launch the Skilled Trades All-Star Program, a dynamic initiative aimed at guiding Philadelphia-area youth towards promising careers in the skilled trades. The initiative kicks Read more
Local Students to Gain Hands-On Experience at Citizens Bank Park on April 24 and August 1
Philadelphia—The Philadelphia Phillies and NEST, the pioneer of integrated facilities management, are joining forces to launch the Skilled Trades All-Star Program, a dynamic initiative aimed at guiding Philadelphia-area youth towards promising careers in the skilled trades. The initiative kicks off with a series of educational events at Citizens Bank Park this season.
On April 24, students from Mercy Career & Technical High School will inaugurate the program. Subsequent events are scheduled for Aug. 1, featuring participants from MyWIC, an all-girls construction camp. These future industry professionals will learn the intricacies of stadium operations, covering aspects from HVAC and groundskeeping to carpentry and maintenance.
“Partnering with NEST allows us to inspire future generations right here at the home of the Phillies,” said Carolyn DiGiuseppe, General Manager of Facility Services at Citizens Bank Park for Oak View Group (OVG). “The Skilled Trades All-Star Program isn’t just about a single day at the ballpark; it’s about sparking a lifelong interest in the trades that build and sustain our communities. This is a great opportunity for students to go behind the scenes and experience firsthand the impact of the building trades on the day-to-day operation of the ballpark.
Based in South Jersey, NEST helped establish the Skilled Trades Advisory Council (STAC) in 2023, uniting industry experts across the country to champion skilled trades as viable and rewarding career choices. The Skilled Trades All-Star Program is a direct extension of STAC’s mission, seeking to illuminate the path for youth toward these essential roles.
“Rejuvenating the skilled trades has been a priority for us at NEST and the founding members of the Skilled Trades Advisory Council, and we are making incredible progress,” said Rob Almond, CEO of NEST. “The Phillies share our passion for the trades and will play a key role in helping shed light on these amazing career opportunities for the next generation.”
The urgency for such programs is underscored by a report from Associated Builders and Contractors, which indicates the construction industry needs to hire an additional 500,000 workers in 2024 alone to meet labor demands.
Tacoma plumbing service provider advocates transformational thinking about trades while building next-generation workforce with immersive Harts Academy initiative Harts Services, a top-rated Tacoma-based plumbing company founded in 2013, urges jobseekers to consider the many rewarding, high-paying career opportunities available in the essential skilled trades. “Whether you’re just entering the workforce or you’re frustrated in your Read more
Tacoma plumbing service provider advocates transformational thinking about trades while building next-generation workforce with immersive Harts Academy initiative
Harts Services, a top-rated Tacoma-based plumbing company founded in 2013, urges jobseekers to consider the many rewarding, high-paying career opportunities available in the essential skilled trades.
“Whether you’re just entering the workforce or you’re frustrated in your current job and want to make a mid-career change, we encourage everyone to think about the trades as a meaningful alternative to the traditional career path,” said Rich Hart, co-owner of Harts Services. “Many of us have been taught that attending a four-year college is the only way to have a successful and satisfying career. But we’re starting to see that college doesn’t necessarily pay off for everyone. That’s leading a lot of young people to look for other options.”
Harts Services, a top-rated Tacoma-based plumbing company, supports jobseekers considering a rewarding, high-paying career in the essential skilled trades with its innovative Harts Academy in-house training program.
As the cost of a college education continues to rise, the long-term financial value of a four-year degree is steadily declining. At the same time, an ongoing shortage of skilled labor is driving up demand for trained workers in home service industries such as plumbing, electrical and HVAC. Experienced technicians in those fields are highly employable and can demand premium salaries as well as signing bonuses, paid training and opportunities for rapid advancement.
“Instead of treating trades as a fallback, we want people entering the trades to be energetic and enthusiastic,” Hart said. “Being a plumber or electrician requires training, focus, problem-solving and people skills, just like any other profession. It’s a dynamic and engaging field with a lot of upside, especially in today’s labor market.”
In 2022, Harts Services launched Harts Academy, an innovative in-house apprenticeship program that prepares motivated trainees for immediate employment.
The Harts Academy program includes four weeks of comprehensive classroom education and immersive hands-on experience in the Harts Academy plumbing platform. Classroom sessions are followed by two to three years of supervised field training with licensed plumbers, with pay raises to match experience, testing and skill level. Harts Academy also provides preparation assistance for the plumber licensing exam.
“We created Harts Academy to help meet the needs of our industry overall and transform how younger generations think about the trades,” Hart said. “We’re investing in the creation of a truly trained and expert team not only here at Harts but throughout the Pacific Northwest. It’s part of a major disruption that we expect to unlock new opportunities for young people, drive economic growth and ensure that homeowners have access to the services they need.”
Harts Academy apprentices support plumbing leads in the warehouse and on jobsites while actively learning core skills. A valid driver’s license and clean driving record are required. Apprentices must be able to lift up to 50 pounds and are expected to work in crawlspaces, operate machinery, climb ladders and stairs, and other physical work in the warehouse and on jobsites.
For more information about Harts Services, please call (253) 470-8766 or visit www.hartsservices.com.
For more information about Harts Academy or to apply, visit https://hartsservices.com/academy-apprentice-program/.
NEST, the pioneers of integrated facilities management, has teamed up with leaders across the construction, retail, and skilled trades industries to create the Skilled Trades Advisory Council (STAC). Aimed to combat the crisis facing skilled labor in the U.S. and Canada, STAC’s founding advisors will leverage their resources, knowledge, and network to elevate the skilled trades Read more
NEST, the pioneers of integrated facilities management, has teamed up with leaders across the construction, retail, and skilled trades industries to create the Skilled Trades Advisory Council (STAC). Aimed to combat the crisis facing skilled labor in the U.S. and Canada, STAC’s founding advisors will leverage their resources, knowledge, and network to elevate the skilled trades as high-paying, honorable, and often heroic career paths, including electrical, plumbing, HVAC, janitorial, construction, and other essential jobs that require a rejuvenated workforce.
Founding STAC advisors include:
- Rob Almond, CEO of NEST
- Sara Angus, Director of Construction, Starbucks
- Julie Starzynski, Director of Construction & Design, Floor & Decor
- Andrew Brown, Founder and CEO of Toolfetch
- Sarah Hammond, Owner and President of Atlas and Treasurer of Women in HVAC
- Kam Washington, Owner of PMA Construction
- Kate Cinnamo, Executive Director of Explore the Trades
- Mónica Muñoz, Senior Director of Capital Programs at DaVita Kidney Care
- Mary Gaffney, President of NAWIC Philadelphia Foundation and GEM Mechanical Services
“I’m encouraged that so many others share my passion for growing the trades and ending the stigma that surrounds jobs in the industry,” said Almond, who spearheaded the initiative. “STAC is a way for many of us to work together and find ways to encourage youth to consider a career in the skilled trades. There are many viable, lucrative, and creative opportunities to explore.”
According to online recruiting platform Handshake, the application rate for young people seeking technical jobs dropped by 49% in 2022 compared to 2020 (source). Staffing firm PeopleReady estimate 40% of the 12 million people in the skilled trades workforce are over the age of 45, with nearly half of those workers over the age of 55 (source).
Associated Builders and Contractors reported that the construction industry will need to attract an estimated 546,000 additional workers on top of the normal pace of hiring in 2023 to meet the demand for labor (source).
“The U.S. and Canadian workforces are struggling to fill a massive gap in the skilled trades, and we need to unite as an industry to reverse the trend,” added Almond, who is based in the Philadelphia area. “This group of founding advisors shares that passion across many sectors that make up the industry.”
To learn more about the Skilled Trades Advisory Council, follow STAC on LinkedIn or the platform formerly known as Twitter.