Florida HVAC contractors have an opportunity to benefit from an unlikely source when it comes to having a shortage of technicians: Artificial Intelligence (AI). It’s not that AI is recruiting workers into the HVAC trade, AI is reshaping the future of work. College degrees aren’t as valuable as they once were and in response to traditional careers being less secure, young professionals are switching industries and turning to trade work.
Zety’s Gen Z Reroute Report, based on a national survey of 1,000 Gen Z workers and updated on August 14, 2025, found that 65% of them said college degrees won’t protect them from AI-related job loss. The trades are becoming an option: 53% say they’re now considering blue collar jobs or skilled trades. AI has already caused 43% to change their career plans.
The report also found that Gen Zs are uneasy about the longevity of traditional white-collar careers with the advent of AI. 72% believe entry-level corporate jobs will be reduced in the next 5 years with 17% stating the jobs will be eliminated. 18% have little or no confidence that their current careers will exist in 10 years.
The following factors also contributed to Gen Zs considering blue-collar or skilled trade work: Higher pay (50%), more opportunities (44%), flexibility and independence (35%), faster entry into the workforce than college (19%) and no student debt (18%).
There were factors named as causing some resistance to changing careers: Physical labor demands (38%), limited upward mobility ((19%), not enough familiarity with trade careers (16%) and lack of prestige (14%).
Gen Z are exploring careers that necessitate a human touch or physical skill with the top three most AI-proof being:
1) Skilled trades and manual labor, 53%
2) People-focused professions, for example healthcare, education and social work, 47%
3) Creative careers such as content creation, graphic design and branding.
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FROM THE DIRECTOR: We know there are plenty of positions available in Florida and their numbers will only grow in the coming years: According to O*NET Online, a tool developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Florida’s HVAC industry has a projected job growth of 17% or 3,940 annual job openings through 2032. The Zety Gen Z Reroute Report tells us that there is a pool of prospects we can draw from to help fill our needs. HOW DO WE GET IT DONE? I’ll provide some ideas in my next editorial.
Kudos to North Florida Trane in Orlando for inviting 100 local high school seniors to their AirtoberFest event on October 9, 2025. This is the kind of effort we need to reshape our education system’s concepts about the HVAC industry!
Warm regards,
Peter Montana, Director, ACprosite.com
pmontana@ACprosite.com
813.417.6792
