Mission: HVAC has officially launched for a fifth year! This program was created with the intention of equipping students for success in the HVAC field and to bring awareness to the hard work that is required to pursue a career in the industry.
Three students were chosen from trade schools/programs to participate in 10 HVAC-themed missions aimed at giving them real-world experiences similar to ones they can expect to encounter working in the HVAC field.
Meet this year’s students:
- Blake Hodge, Ferris State University: Blake aspires to spread awareness of the HVAC field. As an HVAC engineering major at Ferris State University in Big Rapids, MI, Blake hopes to continue his family’s 50-year (and counting) legacy in the HVAC industry. He is most interested in HVAC design and controls.
- Michael Clemons, Des Moines Area Community College: Michael is ready to continue his knowledge of the HVAC field. He’s intrigued by the growing industry and is excited to gain even more experience in all things HVAC.
- Brenan Vogt, Des Moines Area Community College: Brenan is dedicated to working toward starting his own business. He loves working in the field and gaining the hands-on experience it provides. He recognizes that HVAC work is in high demand and wants to learn everything necessary to be successful and capitalize on the industry’s potential.
But seeing the industry through students’ eyes is only part of the story. So, this year, as an added twist, we set out to find passionate and dedicated educators representing the trade schools that are training up the next generation of HVAC pros. From that pool, we selected one instructor to embark on a series of missions that will provide even more insight – from an education perspective – about the skilled trades gap and what we can do to bridge it.
Meet this year’s instructor:
- Chris Walters, The Training Center of Air Conditioning & Heating, LLC: Chris has worked in the HVAC industry for over 40 years. He hopes to help educate the industry on proper installations and avoid common mistakes that can be detrimental to home building. Chris wants to help students learn as much as possible and to emphasize the importance of having a solid foundation of industry knowledge before fully going into the field.
Blake, Michael, Brenan and Chris have a lot of fun ahead – be sure to check back to see where their missions take them.