Our Story
For decades, the HVAC industry has been experiencing the effects of the labor shortage and the shrinking skills gap. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the industry is expected to see roughly 40,100 job openings each year over the next decade, with many driven by retirement and workers leaving the trade. This underscores the significant workforce gap facing the HVAC industry.
These challenges became the catalyst to create the EGIA Foundation in 2017. The EGIA Foundation was formed by the Electric & Gas Industries Association (EGIA), a nonprofit organization dedicated to contractor success and the advancement of the home services industry. EGIA established a vision and separate board of trustees to govern the EGIA Foundation, with a clear mission: expand access to HVAC careers, strengthen career pathways, and develop a sustainable, job-ready workforce for the next generation.
Through its HVAC HERO Scholarship program, the Foundation provides 30 annual $2,500 scholarships toward in-person trade school tuition and, in partnership with the GRIT Foundation, offers 50 fully sponsored virtual trade school diploma scholarships. Together, these programs meet students where they are, removing financial and logistical barriers, supporting career exploration initiatives, and creating direct pathways from education to employment.
Beyond scholarships, the Foundation works nationally to reshape perceptions of the skilled trades, connect graduates with employers, and advance workforce development efforts focused on underrepresented students and ready-to-hire HVAC talent.
To further close the labor gap, the EGIA Foundation actively pursues federal, state, and local workforce development grants, as well as utility and government partnerships, to scale training opportunities and expand access to high-demand careers. The Foundation also supports green workforce and clean energy education initiatives that open doors for underserved communities while strengthening the future of the industry.
Through strategic partnerships, expanded access to education, and a focus on job readiness, the EGIA Foundation is committed to building the skilled HVAC workforce the nation needs for decades to come.
Our Vision
A nation where undergraduate students, parents and school advisors view HVAC and other home service trades as a first-choice career.
Our Mission
To increase the amount of students entering the HVAC industry by changing current perceptions within the general public and making connections between students and job creators.
Our Method
To encourage students to pursue HVAC careers by providing pathway plans, scholarship opportunities, positive ideals, resources and personal connections.
