A Dallas-based technical school wants to help the HVAC industry solve its labor shortage by helping those who need someone to take a chance on them. ForgeNow trains recent military veterans, first-generation immigrants, and people getting out of prison in HVAC and electrical repair.
The school’s eight-week boot-camp-style program is approved by the Texas State Workforce Commission. It’s designed for individuals who thrive in a structured environment, said Marvin Key, CEO of ForgeNow. The course consists of 353 hours of training, half of which is lecture and half of which is hands-on experience. Key describes it as an immersive program, similar to those used to teach languages.