We aim to assist our clients in future planning while ensuring our candidates stay informed about the job market so you can attract the best talent to your organisations. We achieve this through our continuous market surveys and our highly regarded annual candidate Pulse survey. We asked, in September 2023, over 115 engineers, senior engineers, managers and directors from across different parts of the sector:

What are the most important factors when considering a new role?

Simple, short and sweet. But the findings from this simple question will help you build, grow, and manage your teams into 2024 and beyond. The three most important factors for candidates are in autumn 2023:

Figure 1 - A graph showing what motivates HVAC engineers in their role

Salary and financial stability rule

A sign of the times we are living in, in line with many candidates in many sectors and the inflationary pressure on salaries and wages. With 67% of respondents emphasising this factor, it is evident that financial stability plays a crucial role in their career decisions. Employers in the facilities management sector must recognise the significance of competitive compensation and the potential for extra earnings through overtime in attracting and retaining top talent.

Alignment of interests with the type of equipment they work on

The second key insight is the importance of aligning professionals' interests with the type of equipment they work on. The survey reveals that 40% of respondents prioritise this aspect. HVAC and refrigeration professionals take pride in their work and often have preferences for specific equipment or systems. Employers who understand and accommodate these preferences can enhance job satisfaction and productivity among their workforce.

Growth opportunities and development matters

The third crucial insight is the emphasis placed on career growth and development. A significant 39% of respondents rated "Chance for progression or development" as a top consideration. The HVAC/R sector is dynamic, and professionals want to continually enhance their skills and advance in their careers. Employers that offer clear paths for growth and invest in their employees' development are more likely to attract and retain top talent.

In addition to these insights, the survey also highlighted the significance of company culture and reputation, job security, and the balance of travel requirements. Understanding and addressing these factors can lead to better recruitment, higher job satisfaction, and the overall success of HVAC/R companies in a competitive market.

Want to know more?

We ask further questions on salary and compensation, and this will be covered in our next blog. “Salaries are not cooling in the HVAC/R sector”.

Here at Calibre, we’re talking to our extensive network in the FM markets, every day. Not only with active job seekers, maybe those in a live recruitment process, but our network of people across the UK day in and day out to keep our teams part of the network.

We’re here to help our clients understand the market to make sure they can effectively manage and build teams today and to better plan.

By understanding your candidates’ motivations and interests, you’ll understand what elements you need to prioritise to help you attract the best talent.

If you would like to discuss this further, please call John Cassidy on 0113 234 6047 or email fm@calibresearch.co.uk To find out more about our FM team please press here.

Follow Calibre for more information and look out for our next extensive candidate market survey, Calibre Pulse, due out in Summer 2024.