AUSTIN, Texas — Around two dozen people experiencing homelessness will soon have the opportunity to become certified in heating and air conditioning maintenance through free training offered by Austin Community College (ACC).
The training is the result of a partnership between ACC and Urban Alchemy, the nonprofit that manages the ARCH and 8th Street shelters. Twenty-five people living at those shelters will be able to participate in the HVAC training program.
According to Urban Alchemy, two representatives for ACC approached the ARCH eight months ago to start the program. After much collaboration between the shelter, Workforce Solutions and ACC, the free program is expected to launch this month.
The program will take 20 weeks to complete, with participants taking three classes per week at the ARCH shelter. Participants will be official ACC students, meaning they will have access to student resources like computer labs on campus, the campus library and more.
"We are excited to start this class at the ARCH," Marci Shurll, a coordinator with ACC, said. "ACC is indeed for everyone in the community, and we look forward to educating and empowering the students residing here."
In Austin and its surrounding areas, HVAC technicians are in high demand, so Urban Alchemy says certified graduates can expect strong opportunities. In fact, even before the program's participants earn their official certificates, ACC plans to bring employers to class, with the hope that the visits will help the students enter the workforce with salaries that will help them achieve financial independence
"We see this as more than a training program – it’s a housing program," said Kevin Lee, the director of operations for Urban Alchemy. "Some of our guests only need to find good-paying jobs in order to get their own apartments. We’re so grateful to the college for giving them this opportunity."
Urban Alchemy said assuming the HVAC training program goes well, it and ACC plan to continue their partnership and offer more skills training programs in the future.
