The HVAC/R Talent Crisis Just Got a Major Fix—Here's How Lincoln Tech and Hussmann Pulled It Off

The refrigeration and HVAC industry has been screaming about one problem for years: there simply aren’t enough skilled technicians to meet demand. Lincoln Tech and Hussmann just proved that with the right partnership model, you can actually solve this. Their specialized tech program just hit a major milestone—106 graduates in two years, with the 100th student recently crossing the finish line.

When Industry Demand Meets Training Innovation

Walk into any supermarket and you’ll see Hussmann refrigeration units everywhere. But here’s the kicker—finding people qualified to install, repair, and maintain that equipment? Nearly impossible. The commercial refrigeration sector, like most technical trades, faces a critical skills gap that has only gotten worse.

That’s where Lincoln Tech stepped in. The company operates 22 campuses across 14 states and specializes in hands-on career training for skilled trades. When Hussmann approached them about creating a specialized training pathway, they didn’t hesitate.

Building the TechX Advantage

The collaboration started in early 2018 at Lincoln Tech’s Grand Prairie, Texas campus. Together, they built the TechX Training Center—a facility equipped with actual Hussmann commercial refrigeration units and real-world equipment. This wasn’t classroom theory; students were working directly with the technology they’d deploy on the job.

The two-month intensive program removes friction from the entire recruitment pipeline. Hussmann covers all costs: tuition, housing, relocation expenses—everything. The company essentially pre-hires before graduation, offering full-time technician positions to every graduate who completes the program successfully.

By The Numbers: What Success Looks Like

• 106 total graduates in just two years
• 100th milestone graduate recently completed the program
• 13 students in the latest graduating class alone
• 100% job placement into Hussmann positions
• Zero financial barrier for accepted applicants

Lincoln Tech draws applicants from its network of campuses nationwide, creating a national talent recruitment funnel that feeds directly into Hussmann’s operations across the United States.

Why This Model Actually Works

According to Scott Shaw, Lincoln Tech’s President and CEO, the key is matching supply with demand: “Lincoln Tech has responded by graduating class after class of trained HVAC/R specialists who can help fill that skills gap.”

Ashley Turner, Hussmann’s VP of Branch Operations, frames it as a mutual investment: “The refrigeration industry has struggled to attract and train talent needed to deliver on our brand promise. This program delivers exactly what we need.”

The partnership proves that when employers take ownership of their talent pipeline—funding training, removing barriers to entry, and guaranteeing positions—the pipeline actually flows. It’s a model that other technical industries are watching closely.