No people, no heat pumps

The second episode of the Heat Pumped podcast is live, and this one is all about the people behind the heat pumps.

This time I sat down with Clay McCombe, a workforce development expert helping build the heat pump labor pipeline in Colorado. Clay didn’t even know what a heat pump was when he got hired to grow the heat pump workforce. Now, he’s running some of the most ambitious workforce initiatives in the country.

🎧 Listen to the full episode

It's available on YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts.

Key Takeaways

🥇 Hire for grit, not resumes

Clay’s career started in reentry programs, helping people leaving prison find jobs. He quickly realized that many were ideal HVAC technicians: hungry for opportunity, willing to learn, and driven by something bigger than a paycheck.

💥 We need more than warm bodies in trucks

There’s a nationwide labor gap in HVAC. But just throwing people into the field doesn’t cut it. Clay talks about programs that aim to attract, train, and support new techs - especially from underrepresented backgrounds - through apprenticeships and mentorships, and wraparound support like childcare and transit.

🧑‍🏫 Old school contractors want to teach

There’s a lot of generosity in the trades. Clay and I both shared experiences of veteran contractors offering time, mentorship, and advice to newcomers. If someone is willing to learn, there’s probably someone else willing to teach.

📦 “Hit the easy button” for contractors

Clay’s team is rolling out a first-of-its-kind “heat pump agent” program in Colorado—dedicated admin support to handle the rebate paperwork, equipment spec matching, and compliance side of installations. That means more time installing, less time at a desk.

🌉 Bridging the gaps

Clay is launching three specialized programs to bring more people into HVAC:

• Returning residents: A training cohort for currently incarcerated folks, prepping them for jobs upon release

• Addressing language barriers: Not just translation, but full programs led by Spanish-speaking instructors

• Youth pathways: Supporting young people exploring trades with mentors and afterschool programs

💡Advice for future workforce leaders

If you’re curious about building a career in climate workforce development, Clay has simple advice:
Ask questions. Show up. Be a sponge.
And don't underestimate how many people want to help you succeed.

Subscribe for more

If you like the episode, make sure to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts! If you missed the last episode, an interview with Nate Adams (also known as the House Whisperer), you should check it out. It’s a good one.