By Jamie Strickland
From the air conditioning unit pumping cool air through a heat wave to the switch that turns on the lights and the pipes that keep water flowing, our homes rely on the knowledge and craftsmanship of expert trades professionals.
Yet as the demand for skilled labor grows, the pipeline of new workers is not keeping up. The shortage is expected to grow as experienced tradespeople retire faster than new workers enter the field.
In Johnston County, local training programs and industry leaders are working to bridge that gap.
Wayne Hardin, head instructor of Johnston Community College’s HVAC program said enrollment there is up and the program continues to grow as more students recognize the opportunities available in the trades. The program currently has 126 students enrolled, with steady growth over the past four years. He said enrollment increased 15 percent from last year, reflecting both local and national demand for skilled technicians.
Chandler Pernell, owner of Call Pernell Heat & AC recently partnered with the nonprofit Activate Selma to donate a new training unit to JCC’s program, which will help students receive the hands-on instruction they need to enter the workforce.
The Amana S Series inverter heat pump is the latest technology — a high-efficiency system that automatically adjusts its output based on outdoor temperatures, improving energy efficiency.
Hardin said exposure to this type of technology is critical for student success.
“Inverter technology is now standard in premium residential systems,” he said. “Exposure to inverter systems increases job readiness and makes JCC graduates more competitive.”
Employers like Pernell making contributions to training programs helps increase the pipeline of future employees, Hardin said.
Pernell’s family business began in 1977 when his father and uncle started the company in Smithfield. He joined the business full-time in 2003 and bought it in 2019.
Rather than relying only on experienced hires, Pernell works with apprentices, teaching them the trade from the ground up and passing down the knowledge that has kept the family business running for nearly five decades.
“Not enough people think of HVAC as being for them,” he said. “There is a lot of joy and satisfaction when a customer is smiling after you do your job.”
He pointed out that HVAC technicians provide a service that communities depend on year-round and regardless of economic downturns, creating job security for those entering the field.
Hardin echoed that sentiment.
“Skilled trades aren’t going anywhere. People will always need heating and cooling, electricity, plumbing, automotive repair, welding and countless other essential services,” he said. “These jobs can’t be outsourced, automated or shipped overseas.”
“They say ‘college isn’t for everybody.’ I say, the trades aren’t for everybody,” Pernell said. “It’s hard work that takes guts and determination.”
But for those who possess those characteristics, it can be a lucrative career choice. Pernell said trainees in the HVAC industry start at around $16 an hour and with five years of experience a technician can earn between $80,000 and $120,000 per year.
Hardin said rising wages are one of the reasons more students are taking interest in the field.
“I feel like the increase has to do with the pay scale increasing as baby boomers retire,” he said, noting that new grads from the program can start work right away with very little educational debt.
For those who enjoy hands-on work, Pernell said the trades offer a unique combination of problem-solving, independence and service to the community. Technicians spend much of their time diagnosing electrical and mechanical issues, often working independently while helping people stay safe and comfortable, especially vulnerable residents such as the elderly during extreme temperatures.
“Traits that are seen as negative in traditional schools are seen as assets in the trades,” Pernell said. “Like fidgeting with things and not being able to sit still and off-the-wall creativity. We love that. We embrace that.”
Programs such as those at JCC give students the hands-on experience they need, and they’ve recently gained recognition for the skills they’re building. During a recent SkillsUSA HVAC Postsecondary Competition, JCC students competed against peers from across the state in a series of technical challenges designed to test their knowledge and abilities.
One of Pernell’s technicians, Josiah Moore, placed fourth in the competition and three of the five top winners were JCC students.
In the busyness of daily life, the work of skilled trades professionals often goes unnoticed — until our homes get too hot or our water stays too cold. That’s when we reach for help and are reminded that behind every electrical panel or plumbing fixture is someone with the knowledge and training to keep it all running.
As Johnston County grows, the need for skilled hands will only continue to rise. For those willing to roll up their sleeves, the older generation of dedicated tradespeople is more than willing to share their knowledge and pass on their skills to the next wave of people who will keep our communities running.
