Hiring the right people in any industry has always been a challenge. Despite the rise of job boards, social media, and online forums, high-quality talent has never been harder to find. It is no secret the skilled-trade industry struggles with this issue, and there is perhaps no sector where this problem is more apparent than in HVAC and Plumbing.

Current State of the Hiring Market

According to the National Association of Homebuilders, 80% of HVAC contractors and 83% of Plumbing contractors are experiencing labor shortages. The skilled-trade job market is not seeing nearly enough new entrants to replace retiring workers. Home Depot estimates that for every 3 retiring workers, there’s only 1 new entrant. Most business owners would agree this trend is worrying, especially as demand for their services continues to increase. According to Zillow’s State of the Trades report, HVAC and Plumbing are among the most in-demand trades today (above electricians, carpenters, and appliance repair). Simply put, there are not enough tradespeople to fill jobsites — and it’s not even close.

But it’s not all bad news for HVAC and Plumbing business owners. More young adults are opting for trade schools than ever before, as enrollment in traditional universities and colleges is continuing to decline. According to the Wall Street Journal, the number of students enrolled in vocational colleges rose 16% last year, and this rate is continuing to rise. Affordability, job security, and attractive first-year salaries are among the top factors motivating this change.

We are optimistic that the skilled-labor shortage will soon see resolution as higher levels of young adults enter the workforce. This influx of new talent will present a different challenge for employers. Sourcing, managing, and hiring qualified talent will get more complex and competitive as the HVAC and Plumbing labor landscape continues to evolve. Businessowners who adopt modern, industry-specific solutions will gain a competitive edge and get first access to the best talent in the industry. Those who use outdated processes will struggle to source and retain quality candidates.

How TradeRunner is Built to Solve Hiring Challenges

TradeRunner was built with this trend in mind. We’re building an HVAC and Plumbing specific recruiting solution that will provide business owners with the ability to find, qualify, hire, and manage skilled workers in one platform. In a nutshell, the software solution will match employers directly with qualified workers — no applications, resumes, or conversations with unqualified candidates. Employers will simply specify the criteria they are looking for in a candidate, and TradeRunner will match them with a host of candidates that meet those specifications. Employers can then interview candidates and manage their hiring process on the platform. TradeRunner will be a streamlined, hassle-free solution for both employers and jobseekers.

Our founding team has a history of working alongside and investing in blue-collar focused software companies, and we’ve seen the positive impact they can have on their customers when used correctly. We’re hoping that TradeRunner will provide an easy-to-use, modern hiring solution for HVAC and Plumbing businesses that have been underserved by technology for far too long.

If TradeRunner sounds like it can help your company, please feel free to check out our website listed below. We’re working hard to have the solution ready by the end of Q1 2025. If you’d like to sign up for early access, you can do so by completing a form on our website or contacting us anytime. We are eager to connect with professionals in the industry to continue learning how we can tailor our solution to best serve you.