ServiceTrade and the Heavy Metal Summer Experience: The Next Generation of Techs Won’t Settle for Just a Wrench

The skilled trades are facing a demographic cliff. With five workers retiring for every two entering the field, the stakes are high. In the U.S., nineteen open positions remain unfilled for each new skilled technician that is hired. Manufacturing alone is projected to have 2.1 million unfilled jobs by 2030, and nearly half of current skilled trades workers are over 55. Without a new generation entering the trades, the shortage will strain the economy and threaten the infrastructure communities rely on. The skilled labor shortage is critical.

This summer, we rolled up our sleeves and partnered with the Heavy Metal Summer Experience (HMSE). HMSE introduces students to the real value of a trade career through hands-on experiences and mentoring. Through the experience, it became clear that the next generation of techs is looking for more than a steady job. They want a meaningful career supported by modern tools. HMSE is helping to solve the skilled labor shortage by introducing young people to the trades.

HMSE shows young people that a career in the mechanical industry is a smart choice. We learned why technology is key to attracting and keeping them.

Getting a close-up view by getting involved

At first glance, a software company might seem out of place at a trades camp. But as we explained over lunch with the students, today’s technicians need more than wrenches and gauges—they need digital tools to plan, document, and communicate their work. ServiceTrade helps contractors do just that, making service more efficient, visible, and valuable to customers.

It’s a critical time to reach young people. Rising tuition, student debt, and a shifting job market are leading young people to look for alternatives to four-year degrees. Since 2011, college enrollment has dropped by about two million students. A Harris Poll found that 50% of the Gen Z population is considering alternative careers. And, 77% say the idea that a degree is essential is outdated.

Trade careers offer good pay, meaningful work, and job security. Many trades start around $70,000 annually without the burden of college debt. And, unlike some careers that fluctuate with the economy, service work is steady. Broken equipment must be fixed no matter what. Because every day brings a different facility, system, or challenge, service careers offer variety and growth potential.

Showing the Human Side of Service Work

At HMSE, Billy Marshall and I joined students for meals and conversations about how the skilled trades keep people safe, comfortable, and productive. We emphasized that maintenance is the most valuable type of service. It prevents breakdowns, saves money, and builds trust with customers. 

Using examples—like how Amazon keeps customers informed through tracking updates—we explained that good service isn’t just about fixing problems; it’s about showing customers the value of your work. But, like the riddle of a tree falling in a forest, work that goes unseen can be taken for granted. Documenting and sharing that work through smart technology is key to how modern service companies build a reputation and a business.

Hands-On Learning

At one camp, students ran diagnostics on a working HVAC system. At others, where equipment wasn’t available, we vividly described a service technician’s day: problem-solving in new environments, meeting different people, and using both physical and digital tools to get the job done.

The message was clear: service technicians are essential to keeping businesses running. They save customers money, avoid costly disruptions, and provide security and comfort that impacts everyone.

Why It Matters

The skilled trades are the backbone of our economy. The skilled labor shortage affects everyone. Without technicians, hospitals couldn’t guarantee safe air, schools couldn’t keep classrooms comfortable, and countless industries would grind to a halt. Solving the labor shortage isn’t just the responsibility of trade schools and contractors—it requires the involvement of the entire industry, including technology partners like ServiceTrade.

By supporting programs like HMSE, we can open more eyes to the opportunities in the trades, provide a realistic picture of the work, and equip the next generation with the tools they’ll need to succeed.

Bottom line: The skilled trades aren’t the fallback—they’re the foundation. And with the right awareness, training, and support, they can offer a fulfilling, stable, and well-paid career for years to come. ServiceTrade is proud to be part of that message.

Learn more about ServiceTrade’s support of HMSE on the recent SMACNA podcast featuring William Chaney, ServiceTrade CEO, and Angie Simon, Co-Founder/Executive Director of HMSE and SMACNA National Past President