With the pending retirements of the baby boomers, the lack of interest of future generations in pursuing the skilled trades, the increased complexity of new equipment and the aging of existing equipment and infrastructure, we are in the midst of a major maintenance crisis.
What do you recommend that we do to fight back?
You're right.
It seems to be both generational and cultural. Baby boomers grew up as a hands-on generation. My friends and I learned quickly how to fix your own car and then later on how to modify it to suit your personal taste.
Today, in many parts of the country, that is an illegal practice.
Today they learn how to write code to do about anything on a computer. NOBODY sticks his head under the hood of a car.
Seems we've made it illegal or "uncool" to tinker and thus to learn. Without that initial stimulus to learn a mechanical or electrical skill, the bright young minds of today are moving to a vocation that rewards their mental challenges and rewards that they desire: THE COMPUTER. Why not? It pays better, and you don't have to get your hands dirty.
All of our contractors are singing the same song: "We can't find qualified HVAC techs or electricians anymore." Most of the ones that are out there are "Car Guys" like me with a 60s or 70s car at home in the driveway.
I don't see the current culture changing in the forseeable future. We seem to be headed down the road with a generation that has never owned a screw driver.
Me? I'm keeping track of E85. My next "Tinkering" project.
Joel, BOMA recently developed the Young Professionals Committee in our area. They have recognized the need to foster the younger professionals and help mentor them. This may not get new blood into our industry but will hopefully keep them in. I am also glad to see MyFacilitiesNet has a young professional’s forum.
Part of my hiring strategy is to hire a well rounded crew. About 10% 1 to 3 years of experience, 50% 3+ to 10 years of experience and about 40% 10+ years of experience. Right now I have found the market in my area is flooded with people in the 10+ years of experience and as you said not that many in the 1-3 years of experience.
We see the same trend. We’re a national safety inspection company, and our largest market is boiler inspection throughout NYC. Finding inspectors can be a big challenge. the The current generation of inspectors--many of whom are licensed plumbers with specialty certifications--is aging toward retirement, and workforce trends show little prospect for their replacement in adequate numbers.
P&C insurers who have traditionally carried out the bulk of the inspections are also finding it increasingly difficult to secure and retain qualified inspectors. Jurisdictions that carry out their own inspections are encountering similar challenges, compounded by the competing demands of limited municipal tax dollars.
Nationally, it is a fragmented industry characterized by pencils and clipboards. We have developed proprietary technology to make our inspectors as efficient as possible, and increase accuracy.