Arkansas HVACR NewsMagazine November 2025

HVACR NewsMagazine November 2025

education News

Engage Effectively: Start with the PAC One of the most impactful ways to build relationships with HVACR programs is by participating in Program Advisory Committee (PAC) meetings. These meetings allow industry stakeholders including manufacturers, wholesalers, contractors, and technicians to evaluate and enhance program quality. These meetings allow you to see the program offered firsthand, tour facilities, review resources, and make recommendations to improve the program’s outcomes. Contractors who participate in PACs often gain early access to top talent. Instructors tend to recommend students to companies that actively support their programs. Showing up, offering feedback, and being a resource builds goodwill, and often, a reliable hiring pipeline. When you attend the meeting, ask questions to understand the program being offered. Hour long is the program in months, contact hours? What specific courses are offered, and what are their expected outcomes? How many students are enrolled in the program, how many completed it recently, and what percentage of them were placed in the HVACR industry. Make the Most of Your Visit

While you may be there in hopes of hiring people, your role during the meeting is to represent the industry. Look at the textbooks, do they align with current codes and standards? Tour the lab. Is the equipment modern and relevant? Does it reflect the actual job site experience? Most importantly, be respectful when you interact with their students! Never say things that could damage the program’s credibility or student retention, like “Why did you choose this school?” or “Drop out, we’ll train you for free.” These comments can undermine the program’s funding and burn bridges. Visit Schools and Share Your Story Too many students, and their parents still think a four-year degree is the only path to success. But the Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics data tells a different story. It shows that 20% of jobs require a bachelor’s degree or higher. That means 80% do not! In fact, 67% of jobs require post secondary technical training. By visiting classrooms and career fairs, you help shift the narrative. Talk about your own path, potential earnings, job satisfaction, independence, and the problem solving nature of your work. Help students understand that HVACR is not a fallback, it’s a first-choice career with real opportunities.