Cecil College Magazine 2026 - Magazine - Page 23
The HVAC apprenticeship program at Cecil College was a
very valuable experience and was key to me receiving my
Journeyman license. It gave me solid practical experience
that I could use to build a great career in trade work. I was
grateful to find such a great program so close to home.
– Justin Iwersen, Class of 2023
HVAC Service Technician, Hillside Heating and Cooling
Professions like HVAC require far more
than textbook knowledge. Success
depends on hands-on experience, realtime problem-solving, and learning the
nuances of working with customers
and teammates. Apprenticeships and
internships provide that critical bridge.
By working in the field, students gain
a realistic understanding of the daily
demands of the profession, including
customer interaction and teamwork,
as well as internal company processes
and specialized service scenarios. This
experience allows aspiring technicians to
build both confidence and competence
while developing a deeper appreciation
for the craft they are learning.
By partnering with Cecil College
to offer not only scholarships, but
apprenticeships and internships, Hillside
Heating and Cooling provides the
applied experience so vital to career
success.
“Their scholarship has elevated my
training and empowered me to keep
striving for excellence,” said scholarship
recipient Brandon Ganzman.
Scholarships and apprenticeships work
hand-in-hand to create opportunity.
Scholarships remove financial barriers
for students who may not otherwise be
able to afford technical training, while
apprenticeships allow them to refine
their skills in real-world environments.
Apprenticeships expose students to the
fast-paced, customer-facing realities
of HVAC service work, producing wellrounded technicians who are better
prepared for long-term success in the
trades.
The timing of this investment could not
be more critical. The U.S. Department of
Labor (DOL) projects an eight percent
increase in employment for HVAC
mechanics and installers from 2024 to
2034. According to the DOL, this growth
is driven by increased construction, more
sophisticated climate-control systems,
and a strong focus on energy efficiency
and pollution reduction. Internships
play a direct role in easing the industry’s
labor shortage. Interns can be trained
to perform a significant portion of HVAC
job tasks, increasing workforce capacity
while allowing experienced technicians
to focus on more complex projects.
LEARN MORE ABOUT GIVING
To learn more about the Hillside Heating
and Cooling Scholarship or to establish
a scholarship, please contact the Cecil
College Foundation at 410-287-1053 or
foundation@cecil.edu.
cecil.edu/foundation
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