Breaking Barriers and Building Futures: Goodwill’s Career Path to HVAC Success

By Isaí Rea

Tyler (left) and Christopher (right) during a class tour at J&J Air Systems, now both employed at Supreme Air Systems.

Goodwill of Silicon Valley’s Career Technical Education program empowers students to secure long-term employment and develop professionally and personally. GSVC’s no-cost, entry-level professional skills training programs (supported by the Energize Careers program) are designed to help students overcome systemic challenges such as generational poverty, housing insecurity, and justice system involvement. 
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GWSV serves Santa Clara County including recent graduates, Tyler Harrison and Christopher Cajero. As classmates, Tyler and Christopher developed a friendship. After Christopher landed a job at Supreme Air Systems (an HVAC company), he referred Tyler, securing gainful employment for both. Now, they apply their skills daily, proving how mentorship and opportunity can rewrite futures.

I spoke with Tyler and Christopher to hear their words of wisdom for people looking to create new careers in the HVAC industry. 

What advice do you have for other graduates? 
Tyler: "The best thing to learn first is the tools and how they work. You may laugh at me, but at the end of the day there are 3 different types of tools: green for left, red for right, and yellow for straight.  Stay on top of PPE: hard hats, gloves. And be careful releasing refrigerant — because you will freeze your hand."

Christopher: "My advice is to have patience and listen to Jim. Jim shared many stories. Now that I am on the job, I see what he is talking about unfold … I’m having moments on the job where I remember Jim talking about this."
 
What did you take from the class to help secure current employment? 
Christopher: "Jim helped with learning the refrigeration cycle. In my interview, I was asked to explain what it was, and I was able to. The hiring manager was impressed that I was not completely green."

Tyler: "I did a leak test today and remembered from class I had to check the fittings. Learned a lot on refrigeration — how to charge, and the importance to never mix refrigerant. There is a lot we learned [though] I wish we had an extra month or two with Jim because he is a great teacher." 

What would you say to inspire others entering the HVAC industry? 
Tyler: "Be open-minded and be open to learning. Stay positive. Backgrounds are nothing to worry about. Don’t be discouraged and continue to apply. And you are going to see stuff [in the field] and be flabbergasted. We got a call that their unit wasn’t working and when we got there, it was only unplugged. When in doubt, watch YouTube and look up guides online."
 
Christopher: "Yeah, watch YouTube videos every day, and you’ll learn."