SEI
  • About Us
    • Programs
    • SEI's Team
    • Our History
    • Media & News
    • Strategic Priorities
  • Stories
  • Get Involved
    • Advisory Committees
    • Our Board
    • Partners
    • Awards
    • Contact
  • Careers
  • Give
    • Workplace Giving
    • Donate Stock

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

2/27/2025

0 Comments

 
By Isaí Rea
Picture
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. 
​

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."
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Get In Touch

    Do you know an environmental leader who should be featured in a story?  Reach out to [email protected]. 

    Categories

    All
    Board Spotlight
    Career Pathways
    CCEO
    Climate Change
    Climate Corps
    Education Resources
    Energize Careers
    Energize Colleges
    Energize Schools
    Environmental Challenge
    Fellow Spotlight
    Garden Education
    HIgher Education
    School Of Environmental Leadership
    School Sustainability
    Youth Action
    Zero Waste Marin

    Archives

    May 2025
    April 2025
    February 2025
    November 2024
    October 2024
    July 2024
    April 2024
    November 2023
    October 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    January 2023
    November 2022
    October 2022
    August 2022
    June 2022
    March 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020

    RSS Feed

Get Involved

Mission

Careers

Give

Picture
Picture

​Contact Us

Read our Impact Report 

​Download our Impact Report

​Media Kit

​SEI Headquarters
100 Smith Ranch Road, Suite 124
San Rafael, CA 94903
Phone:  (415) 507 - 2181
​Email: [email protected] 
States where we work:
​Arizona
California 
Colorado
Indiana
New Mexico
New York 
New Jersey
North Carolina 
Oregon
Washington

Washington, D.C.

Connect

Subscribe to the SEI quarterly newsletter to get involved and receive updates
subscribe

SEI is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.
Strategic Energy Innovations © ​2024.   Privacy Policy   Terms of Use
  • About Us
    • Programs
    • SEI's Team
    • Our History
    • Media & News
    • Strategic Priorities
  • Stories
  • Get Involved
    • Advisory Committees
    • Our Board
    • Partners
    • Awards
    • Contact
  • Careers
  • Give
    • Workplace Giving
    • Donate Stock