Dean, co-founder of ADL Air Conditioning, raised concerns in a recent conversation with Robert Lawton, owner of Coventry-based copper tube manufacturer Lawton Tubes.
He said: “Air conditioning is a future-proof career.
“You can work anywhere in the world, and there will always be a job for you.
“But colleges can’t keep up with demand.
“Our apprentices face waiting lists and outdated training that doesn’t reflect the reality of the job.”
Dean, from Hornchurch, has grown his business from two people during lockdown to a team of 14, but said the skills pipeline is struggling to keep pace with soaring demand.
ADL’s apprentices face a six-person waiting list for a college course, with the nearest provider 45 miles away.
He said: “We are busier than ever.
“People now see air conditioning as essential, just like double glazing or central heating.
“To help meet this demand, we need more classes in colleges and practical, real-world training to get young people into this sector.”
Dean won last year’s series of BBC show The Apprentice, securing £250,000 investment into his air conditioning business.
