Local heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) companies are partnering with CareerEdge and Suncoast Technical College (STC) to offer a free fast-track HVAC Installation and Maintenance program which will launch in January.  The employers are looking for a way to recruit and rapidly train people for a very specific skill set, namely the installation and maintenance process, and then develop these employees further over time through internships and apprenticeship programs. CareerEdge brought the employers and college together to determine the industry’s workforce needs and to identify the specific curriculum components of this program, which will be a condensed version of STC’s HVAC Technician program.  The tuition-free class will begin January 21, 2020 and run through June with classes held in the evening Monday-Wednesday from (5:30pm - 9:00pm) at STC’s main campus 4748 Beneva Rd., Sarasota.  The program will also include CareerEdge’s Bridges to Careers soft skills training. HVAC company representatives will volunteer to teaching modules in the class in order to enhance the hands-on, real-world nature of the program.

Funding for the program is made possible by the Eppard Family Foundation and the generous support from the local HVAC business community. No technical experience is required for this training and all interested applicants, will need to apply for the free program and be screened by the college and employers. Interested applicants must apply by Friday, November 22, those selected will be notified and must attend a mandatory information session. For more information, visit careeredgefunders.org/bridges-to-careers/