Excellent employment opportunities available for HVACR technicians

Heating, ventilating, air conditioning and refrigeration are considered necessities in our lives and are commonly taken for granted. Despite the downturn in construction-related employment, employment for HVACR technicians and installers is projected, by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, to grow faster than average and is seen as an excellent employment opportunity.

HVACR technicians work in many facilities, not just for residential air conditioning companies.

Employers of HVACR technicians also include commercial refrigeration companies, apartment complexes, hotels, casinos, office buildings, malls, supermarkets and other retail chains, fast food franchises, school districts, as well as national, state and county governments, and just about anywhere you find heating, air conditioning or refrigeration.

For 28 years, Alex Hill was employed in the construction industry. With the downturn in the economy, Hill lost his job and couldn't find any work in construction. And his family didn't want him to leave Las Vegas -- their home -- to look for work elsewhere.

Hill thought of the HVACR industry as an alternative and checked out Quality Technical Training Center.

"I was interested in Quality Training Center because they promised 'short-term training for long-term careers.' They teach you what you need to know to successfully compete in the HVACR industry. And their instructors are really interested in the success of their students," he said.

Hill is now employed by AutoZone, a national company with a 30-year history. He is responsible for the maintenance of 40 stores in Las Vegas and Southern Utah. He started at AutoZone after graduating from Quality Technical Training Center at what he considers a very competitive salary. "And company benefits are also very good," he added.

Hill is happy at his new job and grateful to Quality Technical Training Center for his new career. He also received a helping hand with school financing from CHR through the Workforce Investment Act program for dislocated workers

Another casualty of the construction industry, James Jones was a carpenter for 18 years and out of work for two years. He was living with the help of Catholic Charities. Jones was able to get support for retraining in HVACR from Foundation for an Independent Tomorrow (FIT) and Job Connect so he could attend Quality Technical Training Center.

Jones is now employed by the Cosmopolitan, the newest hotel-casino on the Las Vegas Strip. He is responsible for checking to see that all refrigeration equipment at the hotel is operating properly.

Jones started work with a good salary and will receive an increase after six months. In addition, an executive manager with the hotel has recognized his skill and dedication and now Jones is called on to help with facility maintenance, and he hopes to transition into that department at a significant increase in pay.

And Jones really loves the Cosmopolitan and its atmosphere. "The hotel really treats people very well and that goes for employees as well as guests," he said.

Jones is grateful to Quality Technical Training Center for his new career. "The training I received is really paying off," he said.