General Motors' loss = HVAC contractor's gain?

John R. Hall

Now that General Motors has announced massive layoffs, thousands of workers with mechanical skills will join the unemployed ranks. That does not bode well for businesses here in S.E. Michigan who depend on these people as customers.

A lot of these people are very "employable" and would probably make a career switch in order to support themselves, their families, and their PRIDE. Some might filter into the HVAC trade, which wouldn't be a bad thing. If some inventive out-of-state contractors could find a way to market to these people, they might be able to lure some good workers away to good paying jobs and careers. I'd rather have these folks stay in this region but they need jobs now, anywhere.

If anyone has any ideas on how to match these workers up with good paying jobs in the HVAC trade, I am all ears.

[Deleted User]

Response to a recent article i did on our labor shortage...

Hi Mark,

Just caught your article in Contractor. Very well communicated, and finally
you're someone who provided a drilled down example of how it will "hit home".

Please let me know if I can provide any perspective regarding this topic...it's
what we do. Industry People Group dba MEPatWORK.COM is the largest talent
database and job board in the HVACR, Electrical and Plumbing industries. We are
growing quickly, and just one fresh example is that Carrier Residential just
signed a contract with us to add their top 1,500 contractors to individual
on-line recruitment packages with us. We currently serve over 4,000 contractors
and industry service companies, and boast an average visitors per month of over
200,000 people in the MEP industries.

Bottom line is an online solution like ours doesn't in real terms provide
"supply" . What it does provide is one big pool for those that "are" looking,
effectively speeding and simplifying the search for qualified help. We've earned
our stripes in testing this for over 10 years now (formerly HVACjob.com).
Carrier has a contract with us because they "tested" us for over 1 year before
moving forward.

You may wish to incorporate IPG's take on at least part of the solution for one
of your subsequent issues. I would be happy to accomodate your
schedule/deadline.

Thank you for your contribution just the same to the industry both you and I
love. Would enjoy talking when you can.

Marc Sampson, President-CEO
Industry People Group Inc.
www.industrypeoplegroup.com
toll free 888-482-2562 x 210

John R. Hall

Delphi is Deep trouble

The plan to downsize GM's biggest supplier was announced yesterday. It is devastating news to a lot of people, especially in Flint, Mich. I know what it is like to lose a job but it never happened to me as a father or husband. I can't imagine what is going through the minds of people who thought they could support their families now and themselves in retirement. All these people wanted was a secure job and secure future. Now they have neither. Keep them in your thoughts, my friends.