Each summer, select students from RG Drage embark on a 10-week paid internship that offers a holistic look into the HVAC industry. Interns rotate through core departments at Robertson Heating Supply, including warehouse operations, counter sales, outside sales ride-alongs, field experience with contractors, and even time in the company’s engineering division. The goal? To give students real-world exposure to career paths they may never have considered, and to show them just how diverse and rewarding a future in the trades can be.  

“This program was born out of a shared concern about the aging workforce and a lack of youth entering the HVAC industry,” said A.J. Garrott, who heads up the Engineering Department at Robertson Heating Supply and is a graduate of the HVAC program at RG Drage. “We knew we couldn’t just wait for change — we had to be part of it.” 

The program has already seen tangible success. Several RG Drage students have gone on to accept full-time roles at Robertson Heating Supply following their internship. Others have leveraged the experience to pursue careers with contractors, manufacturers, or as technicians in the field. Regardless of their path, the internship provides an invaluable head start — and often, a new sense of direction.  

Kevin Couch, who leads the HVAC program at RG Drage, believes the partnership has been a game-changer.  

“It’s one thing to teach HVAC concepts in the classroom, but it’s another to show students the big picture — how the products get to the jobsite, the importance of logistics, sales, and engineering,” Couch said. “This partnership with Robertson gives our students that 360-degree view.” 

The initiative also reflects a broader push within the industry to rebrand the trades — not as fallback careers, but as forward-thinking professions that offer stability, innovation, and growth potential. Through internships like this one, students not only gain hands-on experience but also build professional relationships and develop soft skills that are critical in today’s workplace.  

As the skilled trades continue to evolve with new technologies and shifting workforce demographics, programs like the one between Robertson Heating Supply and RG Drage serve as a blueprint for how companies and schools can work together to spark interest, invest in young talent, and strengthen the future of the industry.    

For other distributors, manufacturers, or contractors looking to address the same challenges, this partnership is proof that impactful change starts at the local level — with educators, employers, and a shared vision for tomorrow’s workforce.