Career and Technical Education courses await students interested in trade studies through a partnership between Crawfordsville, North Montgomery, Southmont and Western Boone schools.
One such class offered by the partnership is the Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning program at Crawfordsville High School.
The two-year course provides technical training in a variety of HVAC-related projects, including sheet metal fabrication for ductwork and environmental certifications.
Through the HVAC program, students can earn college credits at Ivy Tech and even begin working immediately after high school graduation, Career and Technical Education Coordinator Sara Nicodemus said.
“They get a little bit of real work experience their second year,” she said. “They go out on job sites and some of them are eligible for internships after they complete certifications. They also have a lab space here where they do a lot of hands-on learning.”
Each year of the HVAC course is instructed by Mark Garing, who has spent more than 20 years in the industry.
“A lot of them choose to go on to Ivy Tech and some choose to go straight into the field,” Garing said. “If you look at all the companies around here, I have — or had — a former student at almost every one of them.”
The course also allows students to participate in the SkillsUSA Indiana competition each year. In 2019, the program was honored as Sheet Metal State Champion. A banner proudly hangs in the main classroom to encourage other potential champions.
One of the reasons for the program’s success can be credited to community outreach. Garing regularly meets with advisory boards and contractors looking for hires.
That concept of addressing the community’s needs is the backbone of all programs offered through CTE, Nicodemus said.
For more information about the HVAC program at Crawfordsville High School, contact the Career and Technical Education Center at 765-362-2340.
