The 2011 SkillsUSA Ohio Regional Challenge was held March 26 at the W.R. Timken Center, Stark State College of Technology. The Akron Canton Area Chapter of the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) has sponsored the regional competition for high school students since about 2002.

The most recent SkillsUSA competition had among its 94 contests one dealing with Sustainability Solutions in which persons in high school and postsecondary schools demonstrated their ideas on wind, solar, and other green alternatives for generating power.

 

For those of you who are beginning high school and college classes; have a seat, get out a writing utensil, and pay attention. I have something important to tell you. Education without direction is worthless.

Lincoln College of Technology’s new Denver campus offers an Air Conditioning, Refrigeration and Heating Technology program.

The not-for-profit organization, ACT (www.act.org), notes that a significant segment of today’s labor force does not have the requisite skills that employers demand. This information probably does not come as a surprise to HVAC contractors.

The demand for technology-driven education is rising, and many colleges and vocational schools are pushing their programs to find new ways to further incorporate technology and hands-on experience into instruction.

The Energy Conservatory announced that Frank Spevak, VP of sales and marketing, will be a featured co-presenter at the 2011 ACI Home Energy Trainer Conference being held Nov. 1-2, 2011, at the Hilton Charlotte Center City, Charlotte, N.C.

HVACR industry trade shows are a wealth of information for all members of the trade, from manufacturers to suppliers to contractors. Shows are also a great way for newcomers to the trade – such as vocational students – to learn about the industry.

When it comes to encouraging high school students to pursue post-secondary studies in vocational programs such as HVACR, the fall guys for failure to do so are usually the high school counselors. Well, it just might be the blame rests not with the counselors but with those who are telling the counselors what to push and promote.