Episode Overview
The invitation to compete in the first-ever ServiceTitan HVAC National Championship competition came out of the blue to Mack Shwert. Initially, he was reluctant to do a televised program, but he endured the bright lights, ignored the tension and was crowned the winner.
The HomeServe, USA technician from Massachusetts, expressed gratitude that such a competition was created.
“I'm so thankful for ServiceTitan and all the sponsors that they even wanted to put this on for the trades,” Shwert says. “And for bringing awareness to the trades.”
The idea of being filmed for a TV show gave him pause. At first. Then he realized he often does his job in front of an audience.
“Homeowners want to watch what you do,” Shwert says. “And that never bothers me. I'm like, ‘Pull up a chair. We'll figure it out together.’ So having somebody watching me really doesn't bother me while I'm working. So that kind of made the competition easier.”
Shwert has more than a decade’s worth of experience working for a few trade companies. He’s seen the upside and the downside of workplace practices and attitudes within the industry.
“The best techs are positive people,” he says. “It's really easy to be negative, I guess. So the best techs I run into always want to learn, want to do the training and are willing to work hard. They don't give up on a job. They want to figure it out.”
The reigning national HVAC champ also says connecting with customers is simpler than some might believe.
“[As a technician], you break down a lot of barriers with homeowners when you’re friendly with them,” Shwert says. “Do that and they end up trusting you.”
Take it from a winner.
Mack Schwert recently joined ServiceTitan’s Jackie Aubel as part of Season 7 of the “Toolbox for the Trades” podcast, which included Shwert’s thoughts on:
(3:02) The ServiceTitan HVAC National Championship 2022 experience
(11:59) How the trades offer employment security
(15:14) Hiring customer-focused technicians and training
(19:19) Best and worst boss experiences
(25:18) Technician salaries and good retention practices
To hear more stories from the trades, subscribe to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, our website, or anywhere you get podcasts.
