Trades Shortage Case Study - Steve Youdowitch

How did you get started in the trades?

I’ve been physically active my whole life - I’ve ran 148 marathons!

My friends always joked that I should get into something with air quality, so I did. Initially, I worked for two large HVAC companies, but then, 13 years ago, I decided to start my own company, which I still run now.

So far, the journey has been great. Although, of course it’s not without its challenges. The key is to remain focused on your goals and keep measuring your progress. In my view, if you do this the natural outcome is success. And that’s certainly what running my company has given me, as well as all the freedom and lifestyle that it has allowed me and my family to experience.

Jobs like these, however, were not encouraged when I was at school. The ideal path was thought to be a university degree, before pursuing a career in white collar vocations. That wouldn’t have worked for me; I’m not an office person at all.

What do you enjoy most about the work you do?

My favourite part of being a contractor is undoubtedly the people - I love dealing with people. Plus, regardless of the path you choose, you can’t accomplish anything big without the help of other people. This is why I surround myself with people who are a lot smarter than I am, and who do the day-to-day things much better than I could ever do. It allows me to work in the background, and continue to strengthen the business.

In my job, the one thing I learned really quickly is that you have to treat your fellow technicians with the respect they deserve. My company would be nothing without good technicians, and you can only have that if you treat them well.

It’s also the biggest challenge, hiring the right technicians, and keeping them happy and fulfilled. The right technicians will allow any company to grow at the rate and scale they desire. But it requires communication. Feedback from your technicians will allow them to feel heard and understood, as they’re the ones out in the field everyday. Much like a customer will refer you to their friends, appreciated technicians will connect you to other possible technicians who are looking for a new company.

What advice would you give to someone who’s thinking about getting into the trades?

For any young man or woman looking to pursue a career in the HVAC contracting world, if you love dealing with people, solving big problems, and lead by example, the sky is the limit with what you can achieve.

Look around you and observe other people in your industry. If someone is creating the result you wish to create, you can do the same, or even better, if you have the will and desire to do it. Just remember to keep focused on your goals, measure your progress, learn from your mistakes, and, most importantly, never let anyone tell you you can’t do something. If you can see it in your mind, you can hold it in your hand.