HVAC

Service Experts Career Academy (SECA) is partnering with the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) to offer a debt-free path to a lifelong career as an HVAC technician or plumber. The SECA program is training dozens of apprentices across the country to meet the growing demand for HVAC technicians and plumbers. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 401,100 job openings for HVAC technicians are expected every year for the next decade. After a positive response to the HVAC training program, SECA and NCCER will also train aspiring plumbers beginning January 2023.

Service Experts welcomes any applicants interested in starting their professional careers debt-free. While trade schools, four-year colleges, associates degrees and other hands-on training programs can cost $7,000 or more annually, SECA pays HVAC apprentices throughout all four years of the training program, while giving them virtual, hands-on and ride along learning opportunities.

“We are opening our doors to anyone interested in taking that first step,” says Tom Essing, a SECA technical trainer in Michigan. “Whether you have prior experience or are a fresh mind with no experience at all, we want good, quality people who are enthusiastic about learning and are looking for a fulfilling career.”

“The construction and maintenance workforces are aging and it’s important we recruit and train the next generation of craft professions,” said NCCER President and CEO Boyd Worsham. “It will take all of us working together to make a real impact on the industry as we strive to fill the skills gap.”

In a traditionally male-dominated field, SECA is making strides by reaching out to women who might be interested in HVAC technician training. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, women only make up 1.5 percent of HVAC professionals and 2.1 percent of plumbers in 2021; however, nine percent of students in SECA are women.

“I’ve always had trouble finding a job that I could grow in. Thankfully the apprenticeship program has allowed me to do just that and get my certification in HVAC,” said Kailey Scott, a current apprentice in SECA. “In this field there are no limits, and I’m more than excited to exceed beyond my limits thanks to this program.”

“When I started working in HVAC, it was a male-dominated field, and now it’s changing to be more diverse,” says Essing. “It’s positive to see this shift and we look forward to continuing to support anyone interested in the HVAC field.”

In addition to paying apprentices, SECA offers a comprehensive employment benefits package made to support each student and their families on day one of their training. According to Essing, SECA wants to attract recruits away from other jobs by offering them the rounded benefits of a career, including two weeks of paid time off, a 401(k) plan with company matching and health insurance programs. Students also get a $1,000 tool kit with hand tools, gauges, electric beaters and more that is theirs when they complete the program. SECA graduates can also take advantage of Service Experts locations spread across the country. Service Experts serves over 90 locations across America, and certified program graduates have the opportunity to work with any Service Experts location, from San Francisco to Miami.

The pay, opportunities and benefits aren’t the only way that SECA accommodates aspiring HVAC technicians.

“Going virtual has helped get everyone together, all at the same time,” says Ken Benedetto, a SECA technical trainer in New York. “Having virtual class in the morning has been a huge benefit, students are ready to learn before they start their day.”

After completing their SECA training and earning their NCCER credentials, program graduates can earn more than many fields that require a four-year college degree, without having to navigate their lives around repaying expensive school loans.

“If you are looking for a career that will support you for your entire lifetime and give you four years of schooling without debt, jumpstart your future with Service Experts Career Academy,” said Jim Hughes, SECA director.

While skill-level is important, customers are considering other traits before hiring and recommending Pros.  Lowe’s State of the Pro report found that homeowners are nearly twice as likely to use personal recommendations or referrals (84%) than external recommendations or referrals (48%). Learn more about strengthening your relationship with customers here.

Manufacturer’s Industry Forward™ charitable giving program provides strategic grant funding and donation of 10 heat pump water heaters to support ECA’s workforce development training and low-income assistance program

Bradford White Corporation, an industry-leading American manufacturer of water heaters, boilers and storage tanks, announced today a $30,000 grant and the donation of 10 65-gallon AeroTherm® heat pump water heaters to Pennsylvania’s Energy Coordinating Agency (ECA).

The grant, part of Bradford White’s Industry Forward™ initiative supporting workforce development and public awareness of plumbing and HVAC industry careers, will directly benefit ECA’s Philadelphia Youth Pathways to Clean Energy Careers program, which introduces low-income minority students to clean energy career paths.  The program offers 100 hours of classroom and hands-on experience for students in five possible career tracks, including commercial HVAC installation, HVAC maintenance and repair, and heat pump water heater installation and maintenance. The program will sharpen their technical skills, help them acquire needed credentials and advance them toward job placement.

As part of this workforce education grant, Bradford White training experts will lend their expertise throughout the year to ECA staff and students by providing in-person and online training to further advance their knowledge and complement the education offered by ECA.

“The skilled trades offer a variety of rewarding career opportunities that many rising jobseekers aren’t aware of,” said Rebecca Owens, senior manager of communications for Bradford White. “These jobs offer competitive salaries and benefits, career advancement, job security and satisfaction. We’re proud to partner with ECA and advance their work to ensure that students from all backgrounds have full access to these potentially life-changing opportunities.”

ECA also received 10 Bradford White AeroTherm® heat pump water heaters, which were delivered by Rich-Tomkins, a manufacturer’s representative for the company. Two units will be used in ECA’s heat pump training lab and eight will be donated to qualifying families through the Philadelphia Water Heater Emergency Fund. The heat pump lab will further expand their efforts to train local residents on this product, allowing them to be prepared for future conversions to this energy-efficient technology in Philadelphia.

“It’s a privilege to partner with Bradford White, the industry leader on this technology, and to receive this generous support from their Industry Forward program,” said Steve Luxton, chief executive officer, ECA. These funds will give underserved Philadelphians the skills they need to install the AeroTherms and open doors to good-paying plumbing and HVAC jobs. Every week we receive calls from low-income seniors and families living without hot water. This support will help meet that need, and at the same time, help the city meet its goals for electrification.”

For more information about Bradford White Corporation’s Industry Forward™ initiative, visit https://www.bradfordwhitecorporation.com/giving/.

Tip of the Week: According to Lowe’s State of the Pro report, 76% of Pros say they rely on suppliers and retailers more than ever for extra support, with nearly 90% of Pros saying it’s important for retailers to have valuable loyalty programs. By signing up for Lowe’s MVPs Pro Rewards Program, Pros get a true business partner in addition to earning gift cards, exclusive offers, like free select drinks and snacks, access to business tools, Paint Rewards, a chance to win prizes, and newly introduced MVPs Bonus Days!

For more information please visit Lowes.com/Pro.