The Premier HVAC/R Distributor for Licensed Contractors!
With a change to a previous program in 2023, Goodwill Industries of West Michigan realized they had a large amount of now unused space in their building. After some research and listening to community members, it became evident that there was a need and want in the community for skilled HVAC technicians. The idea was formed to start an HVAC skills training and certification program.
Kristin Garris, Goodwill’s Chief Workforce Officer, wrote a grant to the State of Michigan asking for funds to provide HVAC training while “removing barriers and giving people skills.” The vision is three-fold: to train and certify those in low-income situations in HVAC skills so that they are work-ready to start in an assistant or apprentice role and eventually grow to work as a licensed HVAC Technician; to remove barriers by providing free on-site childcare and providing funds judiciously for life’s other problems (it’s hard to focus on learning and work if you are worried about shelter, food, and other basic necessities); and to prepare those graduating from the class with job search and interviewing skills.
What does that have to do with B-Y? Once the grant was received, knowing about B-Y’s community focus, Garris reached out to ask for help with units, with training, with interviewing skills, and with connections. And we delivered. B-Y donated a free heating and a cooling unit and then provided extremely deep discounts on other equipment and tools so that the grant dollars could stretch farther. While several people were involved, Jeremy Clous, Product Manager, was instrumental in helping Garris know which products were needed, ensuring the right system components were put together, in reviewing the training, and makin
g the right connections. Another distributor also donated some units so that learners have a variety of brands to work on, and B-Y’s customer, Northside Heating, Cooling, and Refrigeration, spent many hours installing the 12 hands-on training stations. In a few weeks, B-Y’s HR team members will do mock interviews with immediate feedback and coaching to help participants prepare to move forward.
The HVAC course is 104 hours over 13 weeks. It is taught by someone who works daily as a technician and who wants to “pay it forward” after himself being a benefactor of a similar class. Each class holds 12 individuals, and the next two classes are already filled with multiple names on a waiting list.
Garris says, “As long as they put in the effort, this class will allow the learners to secure well paying jobs in an in-demand field, and it will give the community what it needs.” A win-win.
Classes run every 3 months with the goal of training 48 HVAC technicians per year.
At Behler-Young we understand the importance of skilled trades in our communities, and we appreciate those who learn and perform in the HVAC/R industry.The Larry Mullins Memorial $1,000 HVAC Scholarship is open to students who have been accepted and/or enrolled in an accredited HVAC program. Applications open during the fall and spring semesters, and you can apply online here.