Modigent apprenticeship tops 100 as trades shortage deepens

By AI, Created 9:36 PM UTC, May 28, 2026, /AGP/ – Modigent says its apprenticeship program has passed 100 participants since launching in September 2025, as the company expands trade-school partnerships and training programs to help fill a national skilled-trades gap. The move comes amid forecasts that millions of HVAC, plumbing and electrical jobs could go unfilled by 2030.

Why it matters: - The skilled-trades shortage is widening at the same time demand for HVAC, plumbing and electrical work stays high. - Modigent is positioning apprenticeship training as a direct hiring pipeline, not just a workforce program. - The company is targeting students and job seekers who want a career path that can start earning sooner than many four-year degree tracks.

What happened: - Modigent said its Apprenticeship Program has surpassed 100 enrolled participants since launching in September 2025. - The company announced the milestone in Phoenix on May 29, 2026. - Modigent is a national leader in infrastructure, technology and energy solutions. - Modigent says the program is part of its effort to help address America’s skilled-trades workforce crisis. - Graduates and job seekers can find more information at the company’s professional development page.

The details: - A 2026 JLL report projected that 2.1 million skilled-trades jobs could go unfilled by 2030. - The report includes HVAC technicians, plumbers and electricians. - Studies cited by Modigent show that for every three experienced tradespeople retiring, only one new worker enters the field. - Modigent said the HVAC sector alone faces a shortage projected to reach nearly 40,000 professionals this year. - Summer intensifies demand because commercial buildings run HVAC systems around the clock from June through September. - Modigent said HVAC technicians earn a national median salary of $59,810 a year. - Modigent said experienced specialists regularly earn more than $90,000. - Modigent’s operating company, Pueblo Mechanical & Controls, supported West-MEC’s Signing Day ceremony in Arizona. - On May 20, Modigent’s leadership team toured the West-MEC campus. - West-MEC is a career and technical education institution in Arizona. - Modigent said the campus visit included presentations from the West-MEC team and a look at its training model. - Selene Ball, Modigent talent program specialist, said 70% of U.S. employers report difficulty filling skilled-trade roles.

Between the lines: - Modigent is betting that early exposure matters as much as compensation. - The company’s outreach at trade schools suggests it wants to influence career decisions before students commit to other paths. - The apprenticeship program also functions as a retention tool by giving both new hires and existing employees a defined progression route. - The broader strategy reflects a labor-market reality: employers may need to build talent internally when external hiring stays tight.

What’s next: - Modigent said the apprenticeship program is expanding nationwide after launching at select operating companies. - The company said the model is designed to standardize training quality and improve retention across the organization. - The program uses immersive online simulation learning, weekly hands-on lab sessions and 12-week semesters. - Modigent developed the program with Interplay Learning. - Interplay Learning’s Registered Apprenticeship Program is recognized by the U.S. Department of Labor and state apprenticeship agencies. - Modigent said the program is structured for both new hires and current team members. - Ball said more than 100 people have already started building their future through the program and that Modigent is still growing the effort.

The bottom line: - Modigent is treating the skilled-trades shortage as a hiring opportunity, with apprenticeships, school partnerships and paid training aimed at turning students into workers faster.