Sep 10 2024 17 mins
In this insightful episode, Mechanical Hub hosts Tim Ward and John Messenbrink discuss three major plumbing industry trends: the push towards electrification, artificial Intelligence (AI), and the skilled trade gap, especially as it relates to attracting a more diverse workforce.
Regarding electrification, Tim and John note that while electrification is important for environmental reasons, they caution about the need for a measured approach and improved infrastructure to support this transition.
Tim and John also discussed that while AI wasn’t going to replace skilled labor, it could potentially benefit plumbing businesses in the areas of lead generation, customer support, and inventory management.
This discussion concludes with the estimated need for 80,000 new skilled workers annually across construction trades. While emphasizing the importance of increased funding for apprenticeships, trade schools, and training programs, Tim and John also note the importance of increasing diversity in the North American plumbing industry.
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