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What is Going on With our Labor Market? | What Does This Mean to You? | What Can YOU Do About it? |
Today's labor market is considered a "job seeker's market" or a "tight labor market", however, locally we see some employers are more selective now in their hiring practices. | Essentially, this means there are more available jobs than people looking for one, though it is still very beneficial to be well-prepared with your application and interview-preparation. | You have time to be strategic in your job search in order to find an employer that would be a good fit for you! FSET is one resource that can help you with this! |
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HVAC Technician (Heating, Ventilation, & Air Conditioning) |
| HVAC professionals are responsible for the installation and maintenance of the comfort systems in homes and businesses. These systems are used to heat and cool the space, as well as provide improved indoor air quality. As one of the many “trades” careers available and in need of skilled/trained workers, a career in the HVAC industry can lead to secure, well-paid employment! The average salary for an HVAC technician in Wisconsin is $49,500 per year. However, salaries can range between $25,500 to $93,500, depending on various factors, including skills, experience, employer, bonuses, tips, and more. |
Education Requirements to work in HVAC: HVAC training programs usually take anywhere between 6 months to three years to complete.
Locally, Mid-State Technical College offers an HVAC Installer Technical Diploma, which will ready you for an entry-level position in the HVAC fields. The program is done in-person, during the daytime, full-time or part-time, with 16-week classes or a varying class schedule.
It is a short term 25 credit program with fall and spring start dates. Total estimated cost for tuition, fees, books, and supplies is $5,188.80 (as of September 2023, per mstc.edu website). However, this program IS eligible for full Financial Aid. The FSET program can assist you in formulating your education goals, and seeking employment, if you choose to pursue an HVAC career.
There may also be apprenticeship opportunities available, which your case manager and the Career Services team can help you investigate.
Skills Required: What skills do you need to be a successful HVAC professional? 6 essential skills:
1) Problem-Solving Abilities & Critical Thinking - (an HVAC technician must be able to identify a problem & fix it!)
2) Communication Skills & Customer Service (such as, listening to customers and explaining their service options)
3) Trustworthiness & Responsibility (you are entering people's homes & businesses)
4) Time Management Skills (showing up to jobs at the specified time, and completing jobs on time)
5) Comfort Working with Heavy Objects & Machinery/Maintenance
6) Familiarity with Computers (looking up products, parts, ordering needed items, trouble-shooting, taking notes, billing, etc.)
Upon completion of your HVAC education,
you may enter the career field in a variety of positions, including:
Building Controls Technician,
HVAC Installer,
HVAC Mechanic,
or enter into an Apprenticeship for continued growth and experience!
The employment prospects are very high for HVAC Technicians in Wisconsin and elsewhere!
Ask your FSET Case Manager for more information
on the support opportunities available
for your HVAC education and employment goals!
ALSO - DID YOU KNOW?!...
How can your FSET Case Manager assist you in landing a new job?
Resume assistance
Help identifying skills, experience, interests.
Mock interviews
Job and interview readiness
Soft skills training
HSED and Driver’s License funding for classes
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NorthCentral Region Unemployment Rates Unemployment statistics pulled from Bureau of Labor Statistics run by the United States Department of Labor. For more information, go to https://data.bls.gov. (not seasonally adjusted) |
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Childcare as a Barrier to Employment (Source: Wisconomy) |
According to Wisconomy, caregivers are one of the biggest groups in today's labor market that is consistently absent from the workforce, and this is in large part due to the high cost and low availability of childcare options. As availability in childcare begins to decline, the cost of maintaining childcare continues to increase, and existing childcare providers are unable to open more spaces because they are having trouble finding workers. Take a look at the monthly cost of childcare in Wood, Marathon, and Oneida counties, and see how these costs compare to the average monthly cost of childcare in Wisconsin!
While it may seem easy to say that caregivers should find employment in childcare, there are other things to consider. For example, most childcare workers do not receive job-based benefits like healthcare and paid vacation. And according to Wisconomy, the average hourly wage for a childcare worker in Wisconsin is $11.57/hour. Childcare remains one of the greatest barriers to employment in Wisconsin and is a topic that is currently being discussed and debated at the level of state government. |
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