ASHRAE Journal - August 2024 - 13

PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS
difference now, and we need to spread the word-shout it
from the rooftops!
So, let's go back to 1974. That fi rst day on the job, my
tools were a graphite pencil, a couple of plastic triangles,
a straightedge and a piece of paper. With these simple
tools, I learned to describe, in two dimensions, how
to construct large, complex power plants. People have
used these tools for 600 years or more, at least since the
Renaissance. Yet they've been made obsolete in less than
50 years.
In the late 1970s, I learned computer-aided drafting
(CAD), which has been almost completely displaced
by building information modeling. The cycles of
obsolescence and innovation get shorter and shorter.
Because of this, we need to continue to upskill and
provide new tools to our existing workforce. Continuous
learning opportunities must be available to all of us
throughout our careers.
Today, rapidly changing technology and artifi cial
intelligence (AI) are transforming the building
science industry and presenting numerous career
opportunities. Advanced automation and AI-driven
systems will offer more energy-effi cient and intelligent
building systems solutions while enhancing comfort and
indoor environmental quality. HVAC&R and building
science professionals can use their skills and leverage
these cutting-edge technologies, creating a demand
for specialized expertise. The growing emphasis on
sustainability, resilience and resource effi ciency
in building design and operation opens up career
opportunities focused on green building technologies
and renewable energy integration. Our work has a direct
impact on improving the human condition.
Numerous studies show the link between indoor
environmental quality and the health and wellbeing
of building occupants. New career paths
create opportunities to stimulate breakthroughs in
sustainability, resilience, health and well-being, human
comfort and productivity. Those who understand these
practices and become skilled at implementing them will
have plenty of career opportunities.
As technology advances, people of all ages are
becoming more accustomed to adapting to new tools
and processes. By strategically leveraging the power of
technology alongside the power of human creativity,
both experienced professionals and new talent can
collaborate to drive progress within our entire industry.
A U G U ST 2 0 2 4 ashrae.org ASHRAE JOURNAL
13
Addressing the Workforce Crisis
So, how can we drive more talent to our industry?
ASHRAE will introduce three initiatives this Society Year
to help address our workforce crisis.
Education About Industry Role and
Contributions
First, to raise our profi le, staff and volunteers are
collaborating on a grassroots campaign to educate others
about our industry's role and contributions. We will
promote the current work and future opportunities in
HVAC&R that will impact indoor environmental quality,
climate change and sustainable development for all
humanity. This work-our work-will have an even more
signifi cant impact as the world's population grows from
8 billion today to 9.7 billion in 2050.
Every ASHRAE member can be a messenger and an
ambassador! One way we will do that is by sharing
new tools and resources that each of you can tailor
to include your own personal stories, observations,
passions and motivations. These resources are on the
ASHRAE website at ashrae.org/president. These tools
will allow us to make a case for the rewards of choosing
WORKING
IN HVAC:
On the job and
receiving ASHRAE
award in 2014.
http://www.ashrae.org/president http://www.ashrae.org
ASHRAE Journal - August 2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of ASHRAE Journal - August 2024
