ServiceTrade Launches Technician Workforce Program with VSC & Durham

ServiceTrade, a software provider of commercial fire & life safety and mechanical HVAC contractors, has introduced the “Grow Your Own” Technician Workforce initiative. This program, aimed at helping contractors recruit, train, and retain the future generation of skilled technicians, is interactive. The first grant of $5,000 went to VSC Fire & Security. This will help them bring in and train a new apprentice with Durham Technical Community College (Durham Tech). The initiative helps students explore careers and registered apprenticeships in fire and life safety.

ServiceTrade CEO William Chaney underlined the urgency in the industry for skilled labor: “Contractors repeatedly tell us that finding and hiring technicians is their biggest constraint to serving customers and scaling profitably,” said Chaney. “The Grow Your Own initiative is a practical program that puts resources, educators, and our customers together to get in front of that problem. We’re thrilled to team up with VSC and Durham Tech to open the door to rewarding fire and life-safety careers, and to help the industry build the workforce it needs.”

The program responds to some of the industry’s most critical challenges:

• Shortage of Skilled Labor: In its most recent trades survey, 50% of fire and life safety business owners and managers cited the lack of quality candidates as the number one challenge.
• Industry Growth: The worldwide fire protection systems market will increase from around $78–83 billion for the period 2022–2023 to about $128–130 billion by 2030, demonstrating consistent demand for inspections, monitoring, and compliance for life-safety.
• Apprenticeship Development: The U.S. Department of Labor indicates ongoing growth in registered apprenticeship programs across various industries, highlighting an established earn-while-you-learn model for technical careers.

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Barry D. Bandy, VP & Division Manager for VSC Fire & Security, pointed out the need to recruit and promote new hires as senior technicians retire: “We’re thrilled to be involved with the program with ServiceTrade and Durham Tech. By seizing the moment with students where they are, we can describe the influence and security of life-safety work, and guide apprentices into wonderful careers that keep people and property safe each day.

The pilot program consists of:

• Grant Recipient: ServiceTrade customer VSC Fire & Security.
• Use of Funds: Cover costs for hiring and training one apprentice technician. This includes tools, personal protective equipment (PPE), initial coursework fees, and on-the-job mentoring.
• Education Partner: Durham Technical Community College. This program exposes students to registered apprenticeships. It also teaches a curriculum that matches contractor skill needs.

Outcomes Addressed: 

Faster onboarding for apprentices.

Tracking progress toward NCCER-approved completion.

Gaining certifications and job experience.

Achieving permanent employment and job retention.

Durham Technical Community College Career Services Coordinator Gerardo Somarriba spoke to the benefit of such relationships: Our goal is to bring opportunity through education. Working with regional employers such as VSC and industry leaders such as ServiceTrade ties our students to actual apprentice experiences and in-demand, high-purpose professions. This sort of ground-level initiative can really impact our students and the industries they will develop their future in.

ServiceTrade continues to partner with top contractors to enhance technician performance, track customer retention and results, and implement best practices at scale efforts that inform work such as Grow Your Own.