In recent years, more high school students have started to rethink their plans post-graduation. Many are beginning to realize that a four-year degree might not mean what it did several decades ago, and instead of being guaranteed a job, the only sure thing is a mountain of debt.
Because of this, the trades are becoming a more viable option, and depending on the outcome of a newly proposed provision, could become even more attractive.
The “One, Big, Beautiful Bill,” just passed in the U.S. House of Representatives, would allow 529 plans to be used toward career certifications and training programs. A 529 plan is a tax-advantaged savings plan that is designed to help individuals save for education-related expenses. They have traditionally been used to cover the costs of secondary education.
By allowing these savings accounts to be used for HVACR certifications, licensing, and apprenticeships, Barton James, ACCA president and CEO, said it’s creating a more accessible and affordable entry point into the industry for young people.
“The expansion of 529 eligibility is a huge win for our industry and for families exploring alternatives to the traditional four-year college path,” James said. “This change helps legitimize skilled trades as a first-choice career and not just a fallback—and that shift in perception is critical to strengthening our workforce pipeline.”
Stan Kolbe, executive director of Government and Political Affairs at SMACNA, said this latest development is in line with a scenario they’ve been discussing with Congress for years – what if a parent saves money in a 529 for a traditional college, only for their child to decide they want to pursue a career in the trades?
“We long supported the move to allow 529 plans to assist two-year programs at community colleges and that was helpful to many families with one child remaining at home and a significant college balance in the 529 fund. We endorse allowing the funds to be reassigned to a second child should the intended recipient decline to finish or has a change of heart and seeks another career,” Kolbe said. “Although more can be done, progress is being made on selling the skilled building trades careers of today, the immediate future, and the decades to come.”
Taking Advantage
Should this proposal become law, James said it’s a real opportunity for contractors to help the next generation see the trades as a smart, intentional career choice—not a backup plan.
At ACCA, they’re preparing to get the word out by giving their members the tools to talk about this new option with their teams, new hires, and local schools.
“Just letting people know that 529 savings can now be used for certifications or apprenticeships could open doors for someone who thought college was their only option,” James said. “It’s about having real conversations—during interviews, at career days, or even around the shop—and making sure folks know there are flexible, affordable paths into a great career in HVACR.”
Kolbe said they recognize that this is a longer-term problem to sell investment guidance for creating a 529 plan for skilled trades training, but industry education promotions could highlight that 529 plans are welcome for training assistance.
“We could partner with 529 Plan marketers to feature apprenticeship opportunities as well as the long list of options,” Kolbe said.
Top Priorities
As for what programs potential users of the 529 plans should look at, ACCA strongly recommends starting with EPA Section 608 Certification, as it’s required for anyone handling refrigerants.
“From there, certifications aligned with ACCA’s Quality Assured (QA) programs, and Department of Labor-registered apprenticeships are excellent uses of 529 funds,” James said. “These programs are recognized across the industry and signal a strong commitment to safety, technical skills, and professionalism.”
Kolbe said he hopes the news of 529 plans being eligible for trade use will help boost awareness amongst parents and young adults trying to decide what the future holds.
“There are many careers in the higher skill and higher compensation for apprentices to choose from however, our industry at large, fell short and did not offer a more attractive public relations image to young people also being bombarded with media campaigns promoting technology jobs and service roles requiring far less difficult training and work conditions, often with significant flexibility,” Kolbe said.
Long-Term Political Goals For Industry
The HVAC industry has so many strong advocates, working tirelessly behind the scenes to promote and advance the industry.
For organizations like ACCA, expanding 529 account uses aligns directly with their mission to elevate the professionalism of the HVACR industry and make training more attainable.
While welcome news, James said they aren’t done yet.
“This is a great first step, but we’d like to see further federal investment in programs like Perkins grants, which support skilled trades marketing and recruitment, especially at the high school level,” James said. “One of the most popular ideas at ACCA’s recent Town Hall was to provide tax credits in support of Contractors’ in-house training programs, and we’re discussing the specifics with potential sponsors in Congress. Finally, modernizing how apprenticeship programs are approved and funded—especially for small businesses—would help more HVACR employers bring in and train the next generation of professionals.”
Kolbe said they are viewing potential 529 changes as only a supplement to the multifaceted industry promotional effort.
“Our complex and technology-dominated industry has been in a known skilled labor shortage crisis environment for decades, and every organization has been discussing this crisis being on the horizon for an even longer period,” Kolbe said. “To be candid, many players in the industry were warned decades ago of the immediate need (then) for a far greater individual and association investment and support of all kinds to attract the numbers necessary of middle and high school students. The funding and program outreach needed to promote and sell a skilled trades career path was shortchanged for good and less good reasons.”
Kolbe noted that SMACNA has spoken with very interested Members of Congress and various White House and Department of Labor leaders and their top staff in serious face-to-face discussions over the last decade or more, asking them to promote the value of skilled construction careers.