In April 2025, President Trump signed an executive order directing three cabinet secretaries to deliver, within 120 days, a plan to reach and surpass one million new active apprentices in the United States. The goal was ambitious. The deadline passed. And critics say the plan has barely moved off the starting line.

For HVAC contractors already running short on technicians, this is not a footnote. The skilled trades workforce shortage is one of the most immediate constraints on business growth in the industry — and the federal apprenticeship initiative was supposed to be part of the answer. Here is where things actually stand.

What the Executive Order Actually Said

The April 2025 executive order was designed to dramatically expand registered apprenticeship programmes across the US, with a specific focus on skilled trades including HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and construction. The order directed the Departments of Labor, Education, and Commerce to coordinate a national expansion plan.

The stated goal — surpassing one million active apprentices — would represent a significant increase from the approximately 600,000 registered apprentices in the US at the time. For context, countries like Germany, with a smaller workforce, maintain more than 1.3 million apprentices through a deeply embedded dual-education system. The US has historically underinvested in this model.

In April 2025, President Trump directed three cabinet secretaries to deliver within 120 days a plan to reach and surpass one million new active apprentices in the US, with particular emphasis on skilled trades including HVAC, plumbing, and electrical work.

Why Implementation Is Lagging

The Department of Labor has since moved to streamline the process for establishing new registered apprenticeship programmes, reducing some administrative requirements that industry groups identified as barriers. However, critics argue that the broader coordination between federal agencies has been slow, and the specific funding commitments needed to incentivise employers to create apprenticeship slots have been insufficient.

The deeper structural challenge is that creating a registered apprenticeship programme requires an employer to commit to a multi-year training investment with no guarantee of the apprentice staying after completion. For small and mid-sized HVAC businesses — which make up the vast majority of the industry — that investment carries real risk without meaningful government support to offset it.

Industry groups including ACCA have called for more direct financial incentives, including tax credits for employers who establish and complete registered apprenticeship programmes.

The HVAC Hiring Reality in 2026

On the ground, HVAC contractors are not waiting for federal programmes to solve their hiring problem. The most common approaches in 2026 include:

• Direct partnerships with local community colleges and vocational schools to identify and fast-track HVAC students into pre-hire relationships

• Internal apprenticeship programmes that are not formally registered but function similarly — pairing new hires with senior technicians on a structured training plan

• Signing bonuses and retention packages, particularly for certified technicians with A2L refrigerant training

• International recruitment, particularly for Canadian businesses drawing from skilled trades immigration pathways

The honest assessment is that the federal apprenticeship push, even if it eventually delivers results, operates on a timeline measured in years. Contractors who need technicians this summer cannot wait.

What Contractors Can Do Right Now

The most effective strategy for HVAC businesses dealing with technician shortages in 2026 is to build your own pipeline rather than waiting for systemic solutions. That means:

• Establishing a formal apprenticeship track — even an informal one — that creates a clear pathway from entry-level helper to certified technician

• Investing in A2L refrigerant and heat pump training for existing technicians to maximise the productivity of the team you already have

• Building relationships with high school vo-tech programmes and being visible as an employer at career events

• Reviewing your compensation and benefits package against the market — technicians in 2026 have options, and retention is as important as recruitment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Trump apprenticeship executive order?

In April 2025, President Trump signed an executive order directing the Departments of Labor, Education, and Commerce to develop a plan to reach and surpass one million new active apprentices in the US, with a focus on skilled trades.

How many HVAC apprentices are there in the US?

The US had approximately 600,000 registered apprentices across all trades at the time of the 2025 executive order. HVAC-specific registered apprenticeship numbers are a subset of that total, with significant variation by state and region.

Why is the HVAC apprenticeship programme struggling?

Key barriers include the financial burden on small employers to fund multi-year training, administrative complexity in establishing registered programmes, and insufficient federal financial incentives to offset employer costs.

How can HVAC contractors build their own apprenticeship programme?

Start by partnering with a local community college or trade school, create a structured on-the-job training plan paired with classroom instruction, define the pathway from helper to certified technician, and register with your state's apprenticeship agency for potential tax benefits.