Smart buildings represent our urban future but we will need a workforce with new skills to make that happen. Job opportunities in facilities management are at an all time high as adoption of smart systems increase. Those with strong abilities in the connected buildings systems space are in high demand, and command significant wages, while those exploring their first career path would be very wise to move into this space. However, not many young people today dream of becoming heating and cooling technicians, and that’s a big problem for the future ambitions of the smart building industry. The Skills Shortage Problem According to the US Department of Labor, Labor Statistics (BLS), the demand for heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVACR) mechanics and installers is projected to increase by 15% between 2016 and 2026, well above the average across all occupations. Yet, only 3% of students are very familiar with the concept of HVAC and […]