The HVACR industry is still struggling to reach young people, which is essential to build the workforce of the future.
It remains one of the biggest challenges the HVACR industry has struggled to overcome, according to panellists participating in an ARBS seminar dealing with training, skills development and apprenticeship programs.
Panellists included TAFE and university representatives, trade bodies and Apprenticeships Victoria.
Participants outlined key programs and initiatives to help build capability across the HVACR sector.
Air Conditioning & Mechanical Contractors Association (AMCA) president, Ben Hawkins, said participants agreed a collaborative effort was required to deal with the visibility issue.
“HVACR is an industry with plenty of opportunities. Regardless of your interests there is a role for you in our industry,” Hawkins said.
“We just need to do a better job of selling those opportunities to young people.”
Hawkins said it isn’t just about securing an apprentice, but maintaining them.
“It can be a challenge keeping an apprentice on track in such a rapidly changing industry,” he said.
“We also need to make it easier for employers to take on apprentices, it really is a collaborative effort.”
Recent data from Jobs and Skills Australia show that employers are finding it harder to fill vacant roles.
The latest Occupation Shortage Report for the March quarter 2026 found the national vacancy fill rate fell to 68.2%, down from 69.1% in the December quarter 2025 and 3.3 percentage points lower than a year earlier.
Vacancy fill rates also declined across all skill level occupation groups over the quarter, but Skill Level 3 or Certificate III occupations remained the most difficult to fill.
The fill rate for these roles stood at 55.5%, well below the roughly 70% recorded across other skill groups.
The results suggest employers face workforce shortage pressures despite softer labour market conditions nationally.