From handyman to House history: HVAC mogul Joe Strada pushes trade schools, business mindset in Florida race

Joe Strada, a Florida HVAC and plumbing business owner running for the US House, says his experience building a large company would help him address problems facing families and small businesses. He argues that trade careers can offer young people a route to financial security without the heavy student debt associated with university, and says Washington should do more to support practical solutions.

Strada started out repairing equipment in a bowling alley and now employs about 4,000 people across 13 states. He says a shortage of skilled workers threatened his company’s growth, so he created a training programme and now works with trade schools and high schools to encourage recruitment. He also argues that people receiving government assistance could be given opportunities to enter the trades.