FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                Contact: Megan Fitzgerald
July 15, 2003                                                (703) 683-9312; mfitzgerald@acteonline.org


Alexandria, VA? Heating, ventilating, air conditioning, refrigeration (HVACR) and plumbing jobs are expected to increase significantly through 2010 according to the U.S. Department of Labor. With each new home, mall, factory, office building and school, there is an increased need for plumbers, HVACR installers and service technicians.

?Help Wanted? signs are posted throughout the fast-paced, multi-billion dollar industry which requires at least 57,000 new workers annually ? 20,000 as HVACR technicians and 37,000 in plumbing. Yet, due to lack of awareness about the high demand for these workers, there are empty seats at many high school and post secondary career and technical training programs.

?With unemployment so high in our country it is a shame that more people do not take advantage of programs that can provide them with the skills for a lifelong career with good pay and entrepreneurial opportunities,? says Robert S. Bates, an instructor in refrigeration, heating and air conditioning at Delaware Technical & Community College in Georgetown, Delaware.

To ensure that the technicians get the career skills they need, the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) has dedicated itself to the advancement of education that prepares both youth and adults for today?s careers. Career and technical education provides students with the opportunity to learn academic and technical skills, explore different career options and discover ways to balance life and work roles.

The U.S. Department of Labor?s Occupational Outlook Handbook states that employment opportunities in the HVACR industry are predicted to increase faster than the average for all occupations at 21 to 35 percent, while the plumbing industry will employ 10 to 20 percent more workers through 2010. Because of the increased sophistication of the systems these technicians work on and the equipment they use, job prospects will be considerably better for those with technical school or formal training.

Because of the universal need for the services of heating, air conditioning and plumbing specialists, they can work in any area of the country, on land or sea and in many foreign countries. There are few other industries that can boast this complete choice.

In addition to the positive career outlook, the HVACR and plumbing industries offer a great variety of occupations good benefits and excellent pay. Beginning HVACR technicians and plumbers can expect to earn over $35,000 a year, while a seasoned technician, contractor or engineer can earn up to $100,000 a year.

The HVACR and plumbing industry is working hard find competent workers to serve as installers and repair technicians. It has formed the Career Education Coalition (CEC), comprised of 12 industry organizations, which is alerting applied technology training centers and the general public to the need for tens of thousands of skilled workers through its Web site at www.coolcareers.org.

The Web site contains extensive information about the HVACR and plumbing industry for students, teachers, parents, school counselors and others searching for information about a rewarding career that will last a lifetime.

The Association for Career and Technical Education is the national professional association for the field of career and technical education. Now in its 77th year, ACTE?s membership numbers more than 30,000 teachers, counselors and administrators at the middle school, high school and postsecondary levels.

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July 15, 2003                                  NR#03-017