First HVAC students earn Level 1 certification
This summer, close to 30 Collin College dual credit and night students will earn their Level 1 certifications. For student Steve Pierce certifications translate to a new career and a larger salary—two things he is excited about.
“My boss gave me the opportunity to move up,” said Pierce, whose title will change from fleet manager to HVAC apprentice at Air Conditioning Innovative Solutions, Inc. (ACIS). “I am very grateful. I like being challenged. I want to thank the leaders of Collin College for allowing this program to exist. It is so convenient for me. I live in Farmersville, and I am able to go to school straight from work in McKinney.”
HVAC is in growing demand, and Collin College is answering the call. Right photo: Kenneth Hetzel, Steve Pierce and Kevin Self of Air Conditioning Innovative Solutions, Inc. (ACIS).
Kenneth Hetzel, ACIS vice president of service, says he hears about the many new things Steve is learning almost every day.
“I am real proud of him,” Hetzel said. “We threw it out there, and he took the bull by the horns. We have more than 150 employees, but we have a family feel. I told Steve with these skills and certifications he can go anywhere in the world and get a job.”
Kevin Self, vice president and co-owner/cofounder of ACIS, couldn’t agree more.
“This program is an opportunity for someone who has topped out at his salary to be able to go out in the field and earn more for his family,” Self said. “Nationally, on average we are 57,000 HVAC technicians short, and our average technician is more than 50 years old. There is a high demand for talent, and with a high demand for talent you can demand high pay. If anyone is thinking about taking HVAC classes at the college, they should definitely do it. It is a small investment with the potential for great reward.”
Century A/C Supply donates HVAC equipment
HVAC equipment donated by Century A/C Supply. Left to right, Todd Shadden and Brian Sanders.
Collin College recently received an HVAC equipment donation valued at more than $30,000 from Century A/C Supply. Housed at the Princeton ISD HVAC lab, the new residential HVAC equipment includes outdoor condensing units, 18 Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) heat pumps, modulating gas furnaces and the controls to operate them.
“It is about community,” said Todd Shadden, vice president and general manager for Century A/C Supply. “We are donating enough equipment to stock four labs. Our technician pool has gotten really lean. Now, colleges are pushing people back to the trades. You can go to college for a year and a half and get a job making $50,000-$60,000 annually. We are really trying to help bring good people into our industry.”
According to Brian Sanders, Collin College HVAC lead professor, Collin College has 30 dual credit students and 18 night students currently taking HVAC classes at Princeton ISD.
“With this generous donation, the Princeton ISD lab is competitive to any lab or training facility in the area. We have the hands-on training equipment right here for Collin College dual credit and night students.”
For more information about Collin College HVAC classes, contact Brian Sanders at bsanders@collin.edu.