Dear HVACR Educators and Trainers,

 The HVACR industry is undergoing a profound transformation. While regulatory updates, such as the ongoing refrigerant transition, have captured much attention, the real game-changer lies in technological advancements. The refrigerant shift—a challenge our industry has tackled numerous times before—is just one piece of a much larger puzzle. The real test lies in preparing for the technological revolution reshaping not only HVACR but every aspect of our world.

Consider this: the top return on investment for home upgrades isn’t a new kitchen—it’s comfort cooling. Homeowners today are increasingly prioritizing energy efficiency, and innovative technologies are rising to meet their expectations. However, not all technicians are equipped to install, maintain, and optimize these cutting-edge systems. This gap between technological progress and workforce readiness is where our collective focus must lie.

 In the past few years alone, we’ve witnessed groundbreaking advancements—artificial intelligence, fusion energy, CRISPR gene editing, synthetic biology, commercial spaceflight, self-healing materials, autonomous vehicles, and quantum computing, to name just a few. These innovations are transforming industries and redefining daily life. In comparison, a refrigerant transition might seem modest. Yet, it underscores an essential truth: as technology evolves, so must our education and training.

At this pivotal moment, our role as educators and trainers has never been clearer. We must prepare our workforce not just for today’s challenges but for the innovations of tomorrow. This requires rethinking how we deliver education, updating standards, and refining training programs and certifications to align with the demands of an advancing industry.

To lead this charge, we are strengthening our own leadership team. We were thrilled to recently welcome Dr. James Crisp to our executive team. His expertise and vision will play a crucial role in ensuring our standards, programs, and certifications remain relevant and forward-looking. And this is just the beginning—additional exciting changes to our team will soon be announced to support our shared mission.

We understand that navigating these changes can be time-consuming and complex. Many manufacturers have shared their concerns that HVACR educational programs are struggling to keep pace with modern systems. That’s why we’re bringing leading manufacturers from across the globe to the National HVACR Education Conference. This event is your opportunity to interact with not just one but many top manufacturers and their teams—leaders in innovation who are eager to educate you and provide the resources needed to keep your training programs current.

Together, we can ensure the HVACR industry doesn’t just adapt but thrives in this era of unprecedented technological change. Let’s embrace this moment and prepare our workforce to lead the way.

We look forward to seeing you March 16–19, 2025, at the South Point Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada, where the industry will gather to embrace change.

Learn more by visiting escogroup.org and clicking the conference link, or call us toll free at 800 726-9696.

Sincerely,

 Howard Weiss