The Importance of Continuing Education
The HVAC industry is always changing. New technologies such as app-driven systems and touchscreen thermostats are entering the industry every year. Manufacturers are constantly making improvements on products. How can HVAC contractors keep up with these changes? Through continuing education classes.
Continuing education (CE) classes are important for every contractor in the HVACR field. These classes help contractors to stay on top of industry trends and newly introduced technologies. When you are better informed, you are a more valued consultant to homeowners. You earn their trust by having up-to-date knowledge. You can provide them with better options for their home comfort because you understand the ins and outs of the products that are available. Contractors are more likely to land repeat customers when they are a trusted source for this type of information.
According to the largest HVAC training organization in North America, NATE, there is a shortage of properly trained HVACR technicians. Currently, just over 34,000 of them are NATE certified.
Continuing education classes help contractors to keep up with their competitors and maybe even get ahead of them. Knowing information about products they haven’t kept up on will give you a boost with clients over other HVAC contractors. These classes also allow you to renew your contracting license.
The NATE website also states that half of the homeowners surveyed put off retrofit jobs and new installations because they weren’t sure which contractors had knowledgeable technicians. These homeowners live in less comfortable homes simply because they aren’t sure which contractor to trust.
If you can tell homeowners that you’re educated on the current industry, you’ll give them a better sense of security. Your clients will know that a trusted, valued consultant is getting the job done right.