Okay so here's the thing. When we launched Skill Badges, we wanted to celebrate every step you took. You opened a course? Badge. You learned what a thermostat is? Badge. Honestly, good for you, thermostats are confusing.

But we've been thinking. You're out here putting in real hours, passing real exams, learning real skills. You deserve badges that actually mean something when you show them to an employer.

So we fixed it.

What are Skill Badges?

Skill Badges are proof of what you can actually do in the field. Not what you watched a video about. Not what you scrolled past at 11pm. What you genuinely learned and demonstrated by passing a final exam. That's it. That's the bar now.

What's new

We're adding 10 new badges, all earned by passing a final exam. Here's what you can now earn:

Identify Residential HVAC Systems

Identify Refrigeration Cycle

Interpret Superheat & Subcool

Identify HVAC Electrical Components

Identify Split System Components

Identify Gas Furnace Components

Identify Ductless System Components

Interpret Refrigerant Pressure

Identify Essential HVAC Tools

Apply HVAC Jobsite Safety

Perform Evaporator Maintenance
​
Here's what they look like:
​

The completed badges will change to orange and the incomplete ones will be gray

What's changing

Some of the older badges are being retired. They were part of our early badge beta and were awarded just for completing courses, which was a great start, but we can do better. If a course you completed is getting a new badge, it'll automatically show up on your account. No action needed on your end.
​

If some of your badges disappear and there's no new one to replace them, we know that stings a little and we're sorry. You earned those fair and square, and we genuinely appreciate the effort you put in. This refresh is about making your next badges worth even more, not about taking away from what you built.

What's next

More badges are coming. We're building them around the skills that actually matter in the trades and we think you're going to want to collect them all. Consider this the start of something good.

Got questions? Hit up our support team at support@skillcatapp.com. We're always here.

We've updated the names of some of our programs and certifications to actually reflect what they are and what they can do for your career. The content hasn't changed at all. Same courses, same learning, same value. We just finally gave them names worthy of the work you're putting in.

Here's what changed:

Trade School Diploma Category is now Trade Career Launch Programs. Because that's what they are. Not just a diploma, a launchpad.

HVAC Trade School NEW May 2026 is now HVAC JobReady Certification. The name now actually tells you what you'll be after completing it. Job ready.

Electrical Trade School Diploma is now Electrical Basics Certification. Simple, clear, no confusion.

Appliance Repair Trade School is now Appliance Repair Theory Certification. Same content you know and love, better name.

HVAC Trade School [Old] is now HVAC Theory Certificate. It finally gets the name it always deserved.

​

The certifications you earn have also been updated to match, so everything is consistent across the board.
​

What does this mean for you?

If you're enrolled in any of these programs, the name might look different next time you open the app. Your progress, your completions, and your certificates are completely safe. You're exactly where you need to be.

Anything looks off or you have questions? Our support team is one message away. Email us at support@skillcatapp.com

​

The five elements of the Training Flywheel are what make training a permanent engine for growth and development.

Think of it like pushing a heavy wheel. It turns slowly at first, but with persistent effort it gains speed with every rotation. Training isn't an isolated effort. It's connected to the other gears of your business, and when the five elements work together, they build lasting momentum. It's a continuous cycle: attract, qualify, educate, mentor, and refine your technicians into 5-star professionals.

THE 5 ELEMENTS OF THE TRAINING FLYWHEEL

1. Attract Talent: Bring the right people in the door. Hire for character, train for skill.
2. Qualify Training Candidates: Identify who's ready to train and set them up to succeed.
3. Educate with Structured & Intentional Training: Deliver clear, deliberate training rather than ad-hoc learning.
4. Field Mentorship to Support Training: Pair technicians with mentors who reinforce what they learn on the job.
5. Refine Skills to Become 5-Star Technicians: Keep developing skills until techs reach top-tier performance, then the wheel turns again.

—

Ready to build your momentum? Join the upcoming Power Hours: https://skillcat-training.lovable.app/

Questions? Visit our Help Center: https://support.skillcatapp.com

A successful training launch doesn't happen by accident. This recommended path aligns your departments, prepares your team, and ensures your LMS is ready for day one.

THE 3 ESSENTIALS OF AN EFFECTIVE TRAINING PROGRAM

1. A Clear Owner Training needs an owner or primary point of contact — like a field supervisor — who understands the goal and is accountable for the results.
2. A Time-Bound Cycle Run training as a defined cycle with a clear, specific objective, selected content, and a way to measure progress — such as an LMS with skill badges and checkpoints tied to due dates.
3. The Right Students Identify who the training is for. It can be voluntary for existing technicians, or mandatory for new hires, career advancement, or performance improvement plans. Be sure to follow state and local policies.

—

Ready to plan your launch? Join the upcoming Power Hours: https://skillcat-training.lovable.app/

Questions? Visit our Help Center: https://support.skillcatapp.com

Mentorship goes beyond "years of experience." It's consistently executing with integrity and intentionally helping peers reach their true potential. Choosing the right people to mentor others is essential to your long-term success.

THE 4 MENTOR COMPETENCIES

Use these to identify who's ready to mentor on your team.

1. Communication: Clearly communicates ideas and expectations through verbal, written, and non-verbal methods, ensuring understanding across varied personality types.
2. Emotional Intelligence: Maintains self-awareness, manages emotions in challenging situations, listens openly to others, and uses feedback to grow while supporting positive interpersonal interactions.
3. Relational: Establishes constructive, respectful relationships with diverse individuals, promoting a healthy, collaborative team dynamic.
4. Growth Mindset: Demonstrates continuous learning and supports others' development to drive strong performance and future readiness.

Download your resource (preview below)

—

Want your team in the next session? Join the upcoming Power Hours: https://skillcat-training.lovable.app/

Questions? Visit our Help Center: https://support.skillcatapp.com

We just added over 1,000 hours of NexTech TechBuilder content to your dashboard across three trades:

HVAC TechBuilder Levels 1-4 — 446 hours*

Plumbing TechBuilder Levels 1-4 — 338 hours*

Electrical TechBuilder Levels 1-4 — 218 hours*

*NOTE: Hours includes on the job assessments that are not yet directly in the app. More coming soon on the assessments.

What is Tech Builder content?

NexTech TechBuilder is contractor-designed, test-gated training built to take your techs from inexperienced to independent and revenue-generating. Every level ends with a test so you know they're ready before they move on.

What's the difference between the SkillCat Content?

SkillCat HVAC level names have changed.

We renamed the existing SkillCat HVAC levels to better match what each plan actually covers. Same content, same progress, clearer names:

Level 1 → HVAC Electrical Foundations Level 2 → HVAC Systems & Theory Level 3 → Residential Equipment & Service Level 4 → Commercial HVAC Systems

Quick answers:

What do the E, P, and H labels in course titles mean? Some courses are universal across trades but include a trade-specific focus. E = Electrical, P = Plumbing, H = HVAC. The core content is the same, but examples and scenarios are tailored to that trade.

Already have techs enrolled in Trade School or SkillCat levels? Keep them going. Their progress is saved, and any completed course will automatically carry over to future plans. Layer in TechBuilder as the next step when they're done.

Not on Pro Tier? NexTech TechBuilder is available exclusively on Pro Tier. Email support@skillcatapp.com to learn more about upgrading.

This is the April Power Hour: From Technician to Mentor. We went over what it means to be a mentor, the importance, and the ways it can help your business.

First and foremost you must build trust. Language and the way you communicate is so important. Try these tips:

• Empathy: Meet mentees where they are. "Don't sweat it — let's try this instead."
• Expertise: Know your stuff and know when to look it up. "It's been a while — let's check the training app."
• Expectations: Set them early, make them two-way. Unmet expectations erode trust faster than anything.
• Invitation: Ask "What do you need from me?" — trust is a partnership, not a lecture.

Be sure to sign up for our next power hour and join in on the conversation!

We're hosting monthly tech trainings for new techs to attend. You can check out our training hub page for all upcoming live events where participation and learning from one another are encouraged.

April Highlight: Developmental track

Where are you in your career? Are you on the path of growth you envisioned?

Think about how intentional:

1. You are
2. Your company is
3. The people you're surrounded by are

in supporting your goals and how you get there.

Join us next time to hear more and learn how we can help.

Where techs see growth opportunities

Here is a word map of the most common areas techs think they can find growth. Some are humorous, some are heartwarming, most you can probably relate to. They're all backed by a story and we're so grateful to be a part of helping them achieve success.

Thrown off by Taco Bell? Training = smarter work = more business = more pay = more company outings to Taco Bell 🌮🔔

ICYMI we're hosting an onboarding webinar series to help you create the training program your business needs.

Check out the highlights of the first webinar and be sure to register for the upcoming sessions.

What does it mean to treat in-house training like PTO?

Why you need to be the CRO of your training program!

Job Board

Looking for a job as an apprenticeship for maintenance? Apply with Harbor Group Properties today!

New Rochelle, NY: Maintenance Apprentice | Dayforce Jobs

Elmsford, NY: Maintenance Apprentice | Dayforce Jobs

Phoenix, AZ: Maintenance Apprentice | Dayforce Jobs

New Courses

Interview Skills (1.5 hrs)

Practice making strong first impressions, expressing strengths with confidence, and using professional tone, body language, and written communication. The course also covers digital communication tools and habits, helping technicians build trust with employers and customers alike.

HVAC Career Path Intro (1.5 hrs)

The realities, pathways, and opportunities within the HVAC industry. This course covers daily work conditions, career progression options, and the importance of building strong foundations before EPA certification.

Meet us at Installar Show in NYC!

We’re excited to be joining the Installer Show on March 18th and 19th. We hope to see you there!

InstallerSHOW is bringing its first US edition to the Javits Center, NYC, on 18–19 March 2026, co-located with New York Build Expo.

Find us at Booth 2141 Register Now →

What's in the News?

💻 For AI to survive, more trades workers needed

Help Improve SkillCat!

Take a 5 minute survey on our course content.