August 12, 2026The Future of HVAC Starts with the People Who Make It Possible
The HVAC industry is changing quickly. Equipment is becoming more advanced, controls are more sophisticated and customers are looking for solutions that can meet increasingly complex needs. As technology evolves, so do the skills needed to install, service and support it.
At Daikin Applied, we know that our ability to keep pace with those changes starts with our people.
That’s why this past June, we broke ground on a $30 million Solutions & Technical Institute in Plymouth, Minnesota. The 64,000 square foot facility is being built around one simple concept: people learn technical work by doing technical work.
.jpg?sfvrsn=5504cf0a_1 "Training Center Groundbreaking - 2026 - ELT Team (PR Newswire)")
Employees will train on 50 fully functioning HVAC units, including chillers, boilers, compressors, airside equipment and controls. There will be dedicated space for electrical and refrigeration training, brazing and soldering, wiring, variable frequency drives, building automation systems and compressor teardown.
The goal is to give people the chance to learn on the same kinds of equipment and systems they’ll encounter in the field – and to keep building their skills as the work changes.
That readiness is also how we bring new technologies to market faster and keep customers confident that the people behind our systems are ready for what comes next. And in some areas, it’s changing especially fast.
Data centers are one example. Demand for AI and digital infrastructure continues to grow. As these facilities become more powerful and complex, so do the systems that support them – and the expertise required to keep them running.
Whether it’s advanced controls and automation or next-generation cooling technologies, technicians need hands-on experience with the equipment and systems they’ll be expected to install, service and troubleshoot. Building that expertise early is part of how we bring new solutions to market and help customers adapt as technology continues to evolve. For customers, that means access to teams that are prepared to support increasingly advanced HVAC systems, troubleshoot complex applications and help bring new technologies online with confidence.
---rendering-courtesy-of-gensler.png?sfvrsn=a3b0d9d2_1 "DAA - Solutions & Technical Institute (Exterior) - Rendering courtesy of Gensler")
Building the Workforce the Industry Needs
The HVAC industry is facing a growing skills challenge as systems become more complex and demand increases for high-performance environments. At the same time, much of today’s HVAC training remains focused on residential systems, leaving fewer opportunities to gain hands-on experience with advanced commercial equipment, controls and technologies.
The Solutions & Technical Institute will help address that need by creating more opportunities to build in-demand skills, deepen expertise and grow careers at Daikin Applied. The benefit reaches well beyond our own teams. Customers, representatives, engineers, contractors and service partners all gain from a workforce that is fluent in the advanced technology behind today’s commercial systems. It will also help introduce the next generation of talent to HVAC careers and the innovation that drives them.
At Daikin Applied, our approach to
people-centered management is grounded in giving people opportunities to learn, grow and take on new challenges. The institute is one way we’re putting that commitment into practice.
The facility will provide access to up to 120 structured learning pathways and a state-of-the-art digital training studio that can extend training opportunities to employees and partners around the world.
Investing in Our People
Our desire is to provide a workplace where employees can come not just for a job – but for a career.
The Solutions & Technical Institute is designed to support that growth, from employees who are new to the industry to experienced professionals looking to deepen their expertise in emerging technologies and applications.
As our industry evolves, we want to make sure our people have the tools, training and opportunities they need to succeed. The institute is an investment in their future and in the future of our business. It is also an investment in our long-term market leadership, giving us a faster path from innovation to real-world application and a stronger foundation for the customers who rely on us.
Because when our people grow, so does our ability to support customers, solve complex challenges and help move the industry forward.
We look forward to sharing more updates as the project progresses and welcoming employees to the facility when it opens next year.
Interested in building your career with Daikin Applied? Explore current opportunities on our
Careers page.