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December 2, 2022Heating & Cooling Business Educates, Recruits at Capital Region BOCES
Industry experts from Adams Heating & Cooling, Inc. donated their time and expertise on Thursday to educate the next generation of heating and cooling technicians.
Jake Raucci and Dustin Cuoco met with Heating, Ventilation Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVAC/R) students at the Capital Region BOCES Career & Technical Education Center to discuss all aspects of the industry and demonstrate some skills.
During two separate sessions, they discussed the skyrocketing demand for HVAC/R technicians that occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic, trends towards different motors, job skills, residential versus commercial work and more.
“I have worked on units on the old Lord & Taylor at Crossgates that I literally walked into. These units were each bigger the bus you rode here on,” said Cuoco said, discussing the commercial work he has done. “But I have a thing for old houses. I like working on houses from 1700s that you have to figure out where the pipe is going to go.”
Raucci told the students that demand has never been greater in the industry and, unlike so many other jobs, the work isn’t going to shipped overseas.
“This trade is never going away, people will always need heating and cooling, even in the midst of a global pandemic,” he said.
The pair said working with students at Capital Region BOCES is vital to their future of their company and the industry as a whole.
“It’s important for us to get out here and talk to the next generation of trades people. It helps us recruit and get the message out about how valuable the trades are,” Raucci said.
Meanwhile students in Tim Duane’s program said they enjoyed the presentation.
“They explained everything very well and seem like they would be willing to take someone like myself who is a new learner. I could see myself working there,” said Aiden Blanchard, who attends the program from Voorheesville High School.
There are currently 33 students enrolled in the HVAC/R program at the Capital Region BOCES Career & Technical Education Center. In a state-of-the-art classroom, students learn about ventilation, piping, refrigerants and refrigeration, furnaces and boilers. They test their skills and knowledge at in certification exams and competitions held by SkillsUSA – an organization that promotes knowledge among CTE students.
