RACINE — Juniors and seniors at Southern High School learned about career opportunities in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC).
Journeyman Service Technician Eric Perry and General Manager Chris Carver of Columbus Building Services Inc. were guest speakers on Monday, September 28.
Both professionals told students that HVAC can be a rewarding, in-demand career, particularly as experienced workers retire from the industry.
Carver said applicants must be 18 years old to apply for an apprenticeship through Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 189 or 577, which accepts applications online. If accepted, apprentices will complete five years of combined classroom instruction and on-the-job training while earning a paycheck.
“If you don’t have a plan in life, this is something to look into,” Carver told the students.
Perry shared that he once had a job as a teenager that he felt was going nowhere.
“When I was your age, I never thought that I would be doing heating and cooling. It didn’t seem cool or fun,” Perry said. “We had a contractor come in when I couldn’t figure out the problem. I kept hearing — those guys are union workers and make really good money and great retirements.”
Perry began asking the contractors questions and eventually learned that he could perform the same type of work with additional schooling and training.
Both professionals emphasized the benefits available through union careers, including competitive wages, health insurance, vacation time and retirement benefits.