European HVAC installers still prefer face-to-face training over online training

The European HVAC installers are grappling with a persistent labor shortage crisis According to recent findings from our European Mechanical Installation Monitor’s Q4 2023 report, approximately 61% of all European installers face significant challenges due to the scarcity of skilled workers. The situation is even more dire, in Germany and the Netherlands, with nearly 80% of installers reporting severe shortages.

Fig. 1: preferred methods of training among installers in the six surveyed countries, European Mechanical Installation Monitor, Q4 2023.

According to the HVAC installers their key strategy to to mitigate the labor shortage problems is the recruitment of non-qualified staff. This necessitates comprehensive training programs. The demand for training among European installers is notably high, with over three-quarters actively participating in training sessions. German and Polish installers exhibit the highest engagement in training, while French installers show the least interest.

Despite the prevalence of labor shortages and heavy workloads, face-to-face training remains the preferred method across all six European countries surveyed. Installers in the Netherlands and Belgium express the highest preference for face-to-face training, with approximately 8 out of 10 installers favoring this mode of instruction. Conversely, installers in the UK and Poland display lower preferences for face-to-face training but still exhibit a significant inclination towards it compared to online alternatives.

The preference for online training among European installers is relatively low across all countries, with Poland showing the highest inclination at 11%. However, there is an expectation among installers that the future will witness an increase in online training options, alongside a mixed-method approach incorporating both traditional and digital formats.