Tech Helps Answer Skilled Trades Gap Questions | XOi Blog

Key Takeaways

SNIPS Magazine sat down with XOi CEO Aaron Salow to explore how technology addresses the skilled trades gap — by making every tech more capable.

The answer to the trades gap is on the phone

The skilled trades gap isn't just a people problem — it's a knowledge problem.

Microlearning beats memorization

A 12-step video workflow outperforms a 46-point paper checklist every time.

CEO of XOi Technologies on Improving Contractor Productivity

Artificial intelligence and augmented reality are becoming increasingly relevant in sheet metal work and other skilled trades that continue to face a persistent labor and skills gap.

Companies like XOi Technologies are offering field service managers a range of tools designed to improve productivity, quality assurance, and technician training.

These solutions range from hands-on support tools to automated workflows that reduce administrative burden on technicians.

SNIPS Magazine sat down with Aaron Salow to discuss how technology can help bridge the skilled trades gap and improve contractor performance.

Bridging the Skilled Trades Gap

When asked how XOi helps address the skills shortage, Salow explained that many technologies in the industry were not originally designed with technicians in mind.

Instead of simplifying field work, they often add complexity.

The goal of technician-focused platforms is to:

These tools focus on the “curb-to-curb” experience — the entire lifecycle of a service call from dispatch to completion — where communication gaps often occur.

Real-Time Video and AR Support in the Field

One example of XOi’s technology is live video streaming and augmented reality support, which allows supervisors to assist technicians remotely.

This enables teams to:

Reducing Errors Through Structured Workflows

A key example shared by Salow involved a contractor in Houston performing several hundred HVAC installations per summer.

The company initially relied on a 46-point checklist, but still experienced:

The root issue was not the checklist itself, but inconsistent execution in the field.

Turning Checklists Into Guided Video Workflows

To solve this, the company restructured its process into a simplified, step-by-step video workflow.

Instead of a long static checklist, technicians were guided through:

This approach was deployed to 150 technicians’ mobile devices.

Results of Structured Training

After implementing the workflow-based training system:

The improvement came from standardizing execution and reinforcing learning in real time rather than relying on memory or documentation alone.

Improving Communication Across Stakeholders

A major advantage of this approach is improved communication between:

Technicians can now:

This creates consistent value delivery across every stakeholder involved in a job.

Building Trust Through Transparency

A recurring challenge in the trades industry is customer mistrust, often driven by inconsistent service experiences or unclear pricing and outcomes.

Aaron Salow emphasized that customers frequently seek multiple quotes due to lack of trust in service providers.

Using Technology to Increase Trust

Technician enablement tools help companies:

By showing rather than telling, contractors can build stronger customer confidence.

Driving Growth Through Communication and Visibility

Salow noted that companies that leverage technology to build transparency and trust are positioned for strong long-term growth.

By improving communication between technicians, managers, and customers, contractor organizations can:

The Future of Field Service Technology

As skilled trades continue to evolve, technologies like AI, AR, and mobile workflow systems are expected to play a central role in improving productivity and closing the skills gap.

Companies like XOi Technologies are focused on enabling that shift by helping technicians work more efficiently, accurately, and transparently in the field.

FAQs

What is the skilled trades gap and how severe is it?

The skilled trades gap refers to the growing shortage of qualified field service technicians as the workforce ages and fewer young workers enter the trades. Estimates suggest millions of trade positions will go unfilled over the next decade, making technician productivity and retention critical.

How can technology help field service companies do more with fewer technicians?

By delivering knowledge, remote support, and guided workflows at the point of need, technology enables green techs to resolve issues they'd otherwise need to escalate — reducing second truck rolls, improving first-time fix rates, and increasing capacity without adding headcount.

How did XOi help one HVAC contractor reduce re-services and callbacks by 85%?

A Houston-based contractor condensed a 46-point installation checklist into a 12-step video workflow in XOi — pushing it to 150 technicians' phones. Techs watched each step, created video to validate completion, and moved on. Re-services and failed inspections dropped 85%.

What is a microlearning workflow and how does it work in XOi?

A microlearning workflow breaks a job into small, sequential steps — each with a brief video or instruction — delivered directly to the technician's phone. Techs learn the right process in the flow of work, building skills without pulling them off the job for training.

How does XOi support technicians in the field without increasing support costs?

XOi Mentors — an in-house team of experienced technicians — provide live virtual support via video call, guiding techs through complex repairs remotely. This eliminates the need for expensive in-house technical support staff and frees up senior techs to focus on their own jobs.