Earning an education in HVAC is no walk in the park – it requires rigorous study, hands-on practice, and mastery of troubleshooting and mechanics. However, for someone interested in pursuing a career in the field, the experience in the classroom and opportunity to build a network of professors who have an abundance of knowledge to share is rewarding – and absolutely worth it.
It’s no secret that the trades are facing a crisis – with an increasing number of skilled workers nearing retirement and few new ones taking their place, the HVAC industry is experiencing a severe labor shortage. For men and women looking to start their career or make a career change, the prospects for success in HVAC could not be better. Working with your hands, having the ability to see a job through from start to finish and the rewarding feeling of a job well done, as well as opportunities to move into management – and ultimately business ownership – are just a few of the advantages of choosing a career in HVAC. The demand is high, and the need for technicians with an education in HVAC is even greater, allowing students in the trade to have an instant advantage when it comes to starting their careers after graduation. However, the cost of education can be high.
That’s why Shurtape Technologies, LLC, a leading producer of pressure-sensitive tapes, started its Mission: HVAC Educating for Success program back in 2015. Now in its fourth year, the program continues to address not only the cost of education, which can make it challenging for those interested in learning more about HVAC to pursue a career in the field, but also to shed light on the hard work, dedication, and passion that it takes to become an HVAC pro.
Mission: HVAC follows three HVAC students, selected among applicants from technical schools nationwide, as they complete 10 HVAC-themed Missions throughout the year. These missions will challenge them to network with experienced pros, conduct research, and get an inside look at the business side of working in HVAC. Their findings will then be shared on Shurtape’s educational website, TapeUniversity.com. Completion of all 10 missions throughout the year will earn each student $5,000 to put toward the cost of their education.
Meet the 2018 Mission: HVAC Students
Stefan Clark
School: Palm Beach State College, West Palm Beach, Florida
Fun Fact: Stefan’s decision to pursue an education in HVAC stemmed from a desire to serve Florida’s natural disaster victims and others in need by providing low-cost HVAC services and helping get residences of those affected by Hurricane Irma in 2017 back to livable conditions. His service-oriented approach to HVAC will set him apart as he becomes a leader in his field.
Jackson Wilson
School: Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology, Okmulgee, Oklahoma
Fun Fact: Jackson is a third-generation HVAC technician! His grandfather started their family owned HVAC business back in 1983 and played an influential role in Jackson’s passion for the industry. His ultimate goal is to run the company and one day pass it on to his children.
Glenn Coady
School: Des Moines Area Community College, Des Moines, Iowa
Fun Fact: Glenn became a Master Sergeant in the United States Army Reserves and has served in four countries overseas – all while maintaining his now 40-year long career as an Automotive Technician! Now he plans to transfer those mechanical skills to the HVAC field, where he hopes to become a Journeyman.
“We are thrilled to have another passionate group of students with unique perspectives and experiences that drive them to work hard and succeed in the field,” said Lisa Zierfuss, product manager for HVAC/building and construction tapes at Shurtape. “Mission: HVAC grew out of a desire to equip the next generation of HVAC workers for success in their careers, while also putting the skills, knowledge, and craftsmanship exhibited by skilled tradesmen on display to defeat the common stigma against working in the trades. We look forward to working with this year’s students as they show what HVAC pros are made of.”
Stay tuned at TapeUniversity.com to follow the journeys of Stefan, Jackson, and Glenn. To learn more about Shurtape’s HVAC solutions, including the comprehensive line of foil, film and composite tapes, visit Shurtape.com.