Challenges in Plumbing & Electrical Training | Interplay
A survey by Hanover Research and Interplay Learning reveals that 90% of electricians and 79% of plumbers face significant challenges in training technicians—such as time constraints, ineffective preparation, and inconsistent training across locations—highlighting an industry-wide demand for engaging, scalable, and hands-on training solutions that accelerate technician readiness and support business growth amid labor shortages.
Most electricians and plumbers experience challenges related to training technicians, according to a survey conducted by Hanover Research and Interplay Learning. In an online survey of 289 decision-makers for plumbing and electrical firms, 90% of electricians and 79% of plumbers reported facing training challenges. The most common concerns include training time, engagement, and the effectiveness of training for new technicians.
The top five training issues identified are:
- 1.Finding time for technicians to train
- 2.Training new technicians takes too long
- 3.New technicians do not feel prepared after completing training
- 4.Providing consistent training across multiple locations
- 5.Recruiting new technicians due to labor shortages
While some decision-makers are satisfied with their current training resources—half of electricians with on-the-job training and half of plumbers with training quizzes—the report highlights an industry-wide need for more effective and scalable training solutions for technicians of all skill and experience levels.
The survey also found that plumbing and electrical firms desire engaging and interactive training, with opportunities for hands-on practice in a safe environment. Decision-makers need training that helps ramp up new technicians faster and accelerates profitable business growth.
Tools that can quickly train technicians to be job-ready, while also providing opportunities for experienced technicians to update and grow their skills, are critical for building a skilled and confident workforce necessary for success in today’s marketplace.
Doug Donovan, founder and CEO of Interplay Learning, stated, “Consistent, effective training is critical for success in the plumbing and electrical industries, but it’s clear that companies struggle with providing training solutions that deliver meaningful results. Business owners are looking for training tools that help them overcome the common obstacles they face so they can save time and money and drive the growth of their companies.”
Interplay Learning offers a catalog of expert-led training and hands-on 3D simulations for technicians in service industries, including HVAC, plumbing, and electrical. Their training solutions are designed to be flexible, immersive, and risk-free, allowing technicians to gain critical knowledge necessary to perform their jobs effectively.
Interplay Learning’s offerings are comprehensive, scalable, and customizable to fit the needs of any team. The platform allows plumbing and electrical companies to manage their training programs easily and utilize curated learning paths, ensuring technicians learn the right skills in the right order. This approach supports career laddering, improves engagement, and reduces turnover.
Interplay Learning provides award-winning online and virtual reality training for essential skilled trades, including HVAC, plumbing, electrical, solar, multifamily maintenance, and facilities maintenance. Their immersive learning technology enables hands-on training from a desktop, phone, tablet, or in virtual reality, resulting in highly trained employees who are job-ready in weeks rather than years.
For more information and to view survey results, visit www.interplaylearning.com.
About Interplay Learning
Since 2016, Austin-based Interplay Learning has been building better training, better careers, and better lives for its customers and their employees. Its award-winning online and VR training for essential skilled trades is scalable and more effective than traditional training methods. By leveraging immersive learning technology, Interplay’s customers can train and practice hands-on learning from a desktop, phone, tablet, or in virtual reality. The digital learning platform turns any space into a training lab with short video courses, 3D simulations, knowledge checks, coaching, and connectivity. Recent accolades include recognition by Fast Company’s World Changing Ideas Awards in the Education, General Excellence, and On the Rise categories.
Related
Skilled Trades Workforce Development Training
Interplay Learning’s skilled trades workforce development training partners with community organizations to provide accessible, on-demand virtual reality and 3D simulation training that accelerates job readiness, improves licensing exam success, and creates equitable career opportunities in high-demand trades.
3D & VR Sim-Based Training for Students
Interplay Learning provides online, on-demand 3D simulation and virtual reality training for skilled trades students, offering industry-aligned courses and certifications across various trades, enabling flexible, safe practice environments, curriculum integration, progress tracking, and proven success in preparing students for workforce readiness as endorsed by educators and employers.
Interplay Listed on World's Most Innovative Companies 2024
Interplay Learning, ranked #6 in Fast Company’s Applied AI category for the World’s Most Innovative Companies 2024, is recognized for its AI- and VR-driven immersive training solutions like SAM, an AI-powered mentor that accelerates skill development in the skilled trades to address labor shortages and support workforce growth.
3D & VR Sim-Based Training For Students
Interplay Learning provides online, on-demand 3D simulation and virtual reality training for skilled trades students, offering industry-recognized certifications, flexible practice environments, curriculum-aligned content across various trades, and proven success in preparing students for workforce readiness through partnerships with employers and educational institutions.
SMB - Interplay Learning
Interplay Learning offers online and VR training solutions tailored for small-to-medium skilled trades businesses, enabling faster technician skill development, improved employee retention, reduced callbacks, and measurable business growth, as demonstrated by multiple case studies and high customer satisfaction rates.
Four Misconceptions About Being a Plumber
The article addresses the severe labor shortage in plumbing by debunking the misconception that plumbing only involves fixing toilets, emphasizing that plumbers play a critical role in designing, installing, and maintaining complex water, gas, and heating systems essential for public health, residential comfort, healthcare facilities, and industrial processes.