As the HVAC industry confronts skilled-labor shortages, advancing technologies, and an aging workforce, developing the next generation of professionals has become a business imperative. Scholarships, internships, mentorship, and strong education-industry partnerships can create a sustainable pipeline from the classroom to the workforce by removing financial barriers, building real-world skills, and connecting students with meaningful career opportunities. When employers, educators, manufacturers, and industry leaders collaborate through shared apprenticeships, curriculum development, and work-based learning, they do more than fill open positions—they strengthen workforce readiness, improve retention, and invest in the long-term leadership and competitiveness of the HVAC industry.

Larry Edwin Shoemaker is a trailblazer in the plumbing, heating, and cooling industry, with over 20 years of experience as an entrepreneur, educator, and advocate. As the founder and president of Deluxe Plumbing & Heating, he has grown his company into a multimillion-dollar enterprise, employing 46 professionals across plumbing, HVAC, and electrical trades. Beyond his business success, Larry is a passionate educator, serving as the National Education Board Chair for PHCC and Director of Education for PHCCLV, where he mentors the next generation of tradespeople. A champion of industry standards and community engagement, Larry’s leadership and advocacy have made a lasting impact on the trade and those who work within it.