The AHR Expo Workforce Development Program fosters partnerships across the industry to encourage and inspire the next generation of HVACR professionals

Growing the future HVACR workforce together

The show offers the unique opportunity to see everything all at once, as well as connect with a broad audience of professionals within the HVACR community. With workforce challenges on the rise we continue to seek avenues that support awareness and industry growth. The AHR Expo Workforce Development Program allows us to partner across the industry to create an experience that inspires young people to consider pursuing a career within HVACR.

This shared experience is a means to introduce future industry professionals to HVACR in a moment when the industry shines brightest – all together under one roof with miles of products and tech on display. 

  • Our workforce is shrinking.

    Dominick Guarino
    National Comfort Institute

  • What can we do to attract the younger generation of people?

    Farooq Mehboob
    ASHRAE

  • You can truly start no matter what your story is.

    Andrew Greaves
    NAVAC Inc., HVAC Tools Division

  • We have a really good story to tell people, and it's a really good career.

    Chuck White
    PHCC

  • This industry has really proven itself with a lot of upside potential.

    Talbot Gee
    HARDI

  • There’s so much career growth in this field, it’s a good place to be.

    Gabriella Ocasio
    Baltimore Aircoil Company

In 2024, AHR Expo welcomed 120 high school students participating in a dual-credit HVACR program in the Chicago Public School district's Prosser Career Academy and Chicago Builds Program, as well as 100 college engineering students as part of ASHRAE'S Young Engineers (YEA) Program. 


HVACR's Future Professionals 

A group of aspiring technicians from Chicago Public Schools, and engineers from colleges and universities all over the world joined us for an introduction to the HVACR industry during its most exciting gathering of professionals. They participated in a panel discussion featuring working professionals from within the community about expectations and guidance as they ignited their careers in HVACR.

2024 Engineering Panel Speakers

  • Adam Botts

    Product Manager
    Viega

  • Matteo Campidelli

    CTO
    Ephoca

  • Patrycja Delcourt

    New Product Development Engineer
    Bell & Gossett

  • Ian McIver

    Product Manager
    Bosch

  • Pradipta Tripathy

    Senior Director, Solution Consulting – Energy & Sustainability
    Honeywell

2024 Technician Panel Speakers

  • Dustin Gregoire

    National Sales Manager
    Bosch

  • Colton Henkowski

    Technical Consultant
    Viega

  • David Rames

    Senior Product Manager
    Midea

  • Bob “Hot Rod” Rohr

    Caleffi

  • April Yungen

    President and Chairwoman
    NADCA

  • Craig Migliaccio

    Owner
    AC Service Tech LLC

Want to get involved in our efforts to build a strong workforce?

“One of the most exciting opportunities for the show is to have a view across the full industry and find common areas where we can lend support. Securing a trained and strong workforce is something that is urgently needed in every professional discipline. What’s more, as the forum for full industry connection, the show has a unique opportunity to bring together many levels of support to promote the opportunities within HVACR.”

Nicole Bush, AHR Expo

 2024 Program Sponsors

Bosch donates equipment to Prosser Career Academy 

Learn more about our full program experience, including a visit to the school to install equipment generously donated by Bosch.

“As the current senior generation of tradespeople begin to retire and leave the workforce, there is a need to fill the gap but there is a lack of visibility to the younger generation about the benefits of joining a skilled trade. I'm thrilled to be working together with the AHR Expo to support workforce development. I personally want to open younger people's eyes to the benefits of a trade life. As someone who started as an apprentice, worked up to foreman and then eventually took my skills to train on the manufacturer side, I want people to see skilled trades bring freedom and boundless opportunities.”

Colton Henkowski, Technical Trainer, Viega