SPRAYTechnology & Marketing Commentary Ava Caridad, Editorial Director SPRAY’s sister publication, Indoor Comfort Marketing, recently published an excellent article titled “Bridging the gap: Finding a new generation of HVACR technicians” (HVACR stands for heating, ventilating, air conditioning and refrigeration). The gist of the article was that, as baby boomer technicians retire, they take decades of technical knowledge with them and a significant void will be left in their place. Fewer young adults are drawn to trade careers, and those with interest tend to be less mechanically inclined than their predecessors. Further complicating the workforce gap is the increased technical complexity of HVACR systems (ditto systems in the automotive and other technical fields). The very same skill-gap challenges face the aerosol industry, as learned aerosol veterans retire, or, in some cases, are let go, along with their hard-learned wisdom, in favor of younger and less costly employees. While many universities offer programs in packaging engineering and design, not many offer aerosol-specific courses. As our multi-billion dollar industry continues to grow, it will need the right people to grow with it. Bill Smith, President & CEO of KIK Custom Products, spoke about this very thing at the joint NAA/WAIB meeting held in California back in March. He said that the “entire aerosol industry is built on tribal knowledge,” and “We don’t represent a sexy, attractive industry to young educated people starting careers.” It isn’t too difficult to envision a country where there are opportunities in the aerosol industry offered at every level: high school recruiting, paid internships, courses in aerosol technology in both trade schools and grad schools (with scholarships!). The cosmetics industry and others have done it with success. Why not the aerosol industry? It’s worth considering getting into the schools to groom a good employee rather than waiting and hoping your company finds a perfect fit from “out there somewhere.” Easier said than done, I know, but it may be a path that many industries are going to have to take in order to face the challenge of an imminent skilled-worker shortage. It will be worth the investment, as investing in people always is. 6 Spray June 2015 Cynthia Hundley Publisher chundley@spraytm.com Ava Caridad Editorial Director acaridad@spraytm.com Greg Dool Assistant Editor gdool@spraytm.com Montfort A. Johnsen Technical Editor montyjohnsen@att.net Susan Carver Vice President, Administration scarver@spraytm.com Doug Bacile National Sales Manager dbacile@spraytm.com Donald Farrell Production production@spraytm.com Joy Cunningham Reader Service Coordinator readerservice@spraytm.com Circulation circulation@spraytm.com Member: CAPCO Volume 25, No. 6, June 2015 Industry Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. No part may be reprinted without written permission from the Publisher. Spray Technology & Marketing (ISSN No.1055-2340) is published monthly by Industry Publications, Inc. Correspondence for editorial, advertising and circulation to: 3621 Hill Road, Parsippany, NJ 07054 Phone: 973-331-9545 • Fax: 973-331-9547 Subscription inquiries: circulation@spraytm.com Internet: spraytm.com, twitter.com/SprayTechnology Periodical postage paid at Parsippany, NJ and at additional mailing office. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Spray Technology & Marketing, 3621 Hill Road, Parsippany, NJ 07054. Subscription rates: U.S. 1-year $50.00; Canada & Mexico 1-year $60.00. Airmail Rates to foreign countries: $130.00/yr. Single copies of current issues: $12.00. Directory Issue (Buyers Guide) $27.00 (includes shipping). Missing issues: Claims for missing issues must be made within three months of the date of the issue. Printed in the U.S.A. Industry Publications, Inc. also publishes Indoor Comfort Marketing The opinions expressed in this publication are not intended to be, nor should they be interpreted as, a replacement for professional, legal advice. Replacing tribal knowledge... Editorial Director
Spray June 2015
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