Author

Debbie Trecek Volkens

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According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, our current labor market faces significant challenges, with 9.4 million open jobs and only 6.3 million unemployed workers available. Even if every unemployed person joined the labor market immediately, the market itself would still face a deficit of 3.1 million positions. The declining labor force participation rate – from 63.4% pre-pandemic to 62.8% today – reflects deeper structural changes affecting employee turnover rates and workplace culture. This…

The pest control industry is undergoing a remarkable transformation. From smart traps that monitor pest infestations in real-time to eco-friendly Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques, innovation is reshaping every aspect of pest control operations. But who will guide this evolution, balancing cutting-edge technology with traditional pest control methods? Enter NPMA’s Emerging Leaders Program (ELP) – an initiative designed to nurture the next generation of pest management professionals. This year’s class brings together a diverse group…

As a field service business owner, you’ve likely noticed an uptick in chatter around private equity funds over the past few years. This isn’t a coincidence – the field service landscape, particularly pest control, lawn care, cleaning services and more – has become a hot target for private equity investment. But what does this mean for you and your service company? Together with Potomac, WorkWave hosted a panel featuring PE experts and field service providers…

Artificial intelligence (AI) is seemingly everywhere. Across industry events, conferences, expos and meetings, AI is the topic that everyone wants to hear more about. The pest control industry is no different. Pest business owners are hungry to know how AI can be embedded into daily workflows to make operations leaner, faster and more efficient.We sat down with WorkWave’s Senior Director of Artificial Intelligence Strategy, Dr. Robert Coop, to discuss how AI is changing the pest…

Private equity firms are showing an invested interest in field service industries like lawn care, pest control, cleaning and other sectors, while M&A activity is skyrocketing across these industries at the same time. Sources cite the resiliency of essential services, predictive recurring revenue and business model growth opportunities enabled by technology, training and development as being reasons behind the interest. In fact, Lawn and Landscape’s most recent roundup of the top 100 green industry companies…

As recently as last year, women only made up around 31% of all employed persons across several sectors of the field service industry – janitorial and cleaning, physical security, pest control, landscaping and groundskeeping, electricians, pipelayers, plumbers and steamfitters, and HVAC mechanics and installers.  In some sectors, women make up a scant 2% of total employed individuals in field service. Percent of total employed, 2023Total EmployedWomenJanitors and building cleaners2.2 million38.7%Maids and housekeeping cleaners1.38 million88.4%Security guards925,00024.9%Pest…