IIAR

The Refrigeration Service Engineers Society (RSES) will be merging with the Refrigerating Engineers & Technicians Association (RETA) to help build awareness of industrial refrigeration careers and increase the number of technicians entering the industrial space. “We believe we will be better together moving forward,” said Jim Barron, executive director of RETA.

Michael Hawkins, manufacturers’ representative for Midatlantic Refrigeration and the current RETA president, said that up until 1933, RETA and RSES were one organization, and RSES split off to form their own organization when residential air conditioning systems got smaller, and that market took off. “It only makes sense that with the focus on natural refrigerants, we come together again as one organization,” he said.

This merger should be complete by the end of 2024. Barron said there is an overall shortage of skilled technicians as a whole, including in industrial refrigeration, HVAC/R, plumbing, electrical and welding. “We have millions of Baby Boomers who are and will be retiring in the next few years, and we have a ratio of about seven leaving and three entering our industry. We will have a major shortfall of qualified operators and technicians in all our trades,” Barron said.

There is an overwhelming amount of knowledge that will leave the industry as older employees retire. “We need to embrace those folks and encourage them to share their experiences with the new folks we do have in the industry,” Hawkins said. Lori Schiavo, senior director of operations for RSES, said, as is the case with RETA, RSES would like to see HVACR company owners, manufacturers and distributors embrace training by providing it to their techs of all levels.

“At the rate our industry is changing today, combined with the lack of techs entering the field, it is absolutely dire that these groups offer continuing education to their employees,” Schiavo said. “It should range from basics/fundamentals through to advanced courses.

This will guarantee that all levels of professionals can continue on their respective paths of learning while serving customers in need of HVACR service.” As part of the merger, RSES plans to improve its education and certification,” Schiavo said. “RETA has the blueprint for creating the gold standard for that. We’re looking to do the same thing on the HVACR side because right now, it is the Wild West out there.”

BUILDING A TALENT PIPELINE
To help attract new entrants to the industry, RETA regularly attends job fairs at the high school level to share information about the refrigeration industry with students. “We need more companies nationwide to do this,” Barron said. The earlier the better when it comes to exposing students to the opportunities in the refrigeration industry and other trades, Hawkins said. “If companies can participate in school career fairs, etc., that would be wonderful, and it is something we need to embrace across the country,” he explained.

“There is an overwhelming amount of knowledge that will leave the industry as older employees retire. We need to embrace those folks and encourage them to share their experiences with the new folks we do have in the industry.”

–Michael Hawkins, manufacturers’ representative for Midatlantic Refrigeration and the current RETA president

RETA also visits junior colleges and technical schools. “RETA and RSES both are currently working with some technical colleges and vocational tech schools to build awareness and hope to expand on these relationships,” Hawkins said. “Through the RETA Training Institute, we have programs focused on folks transitioning out of the military, women, and youth and young adults.”

Schiavo said that compensation that meets the basic needs of individuals, as well as a path to proceed upward into the company, is crucial to attracting workers. “An investment in employees’ education and providing a living wage will certainly incentivize new talent,” she said, adding that employees also value the opportunity to obtain continuing education.

SUPPORTING THE INDUSTRY
Hawkins added that there is an ongoing need for financial donations to support RETA so it can continue recruiting and training individuals. “With financial donations to the RETA Training Institute, we can continue to train and recruit folks into our industry,” Hawkins said. “Once folks are hired, we need the industry to continue to support these individuals with additional training and certification.”