Warner Robins’ Comfort Air Cooling and Heating will take to Facebook this month as part of a series of social media events designed to teach students about careers in construction and the skilled trades. At Noon on Tuesday, August 25, Comfort Air’s Director of Operations Bernie Joerger will join the Construction Education Foundation of Georgia (CEFGA) in a Facebook Live discussion focused on careers in HVAC and plumbing (link: https://www.facebook.com/CEFGA-87573268359). 

The session will be hosted by contractor and DIY TV host Kayleen McCabe with CEFGA President and CEO Scott Shelar. Joerger will be joined by Jay Cunningham, president of Superior Plumbing in Atlanta.

Joerger will offer advice on:

• The range of career opportunities in the HVAC industry and the need for young people 

• The level of education, training, and network needed to secure your entry level HVAC job

• The company’s partnership with the Houston County Career Academy and Central Georgia Technical College

• The range of salary students entering the industry can expect  

“There are great pathways to a successful career in the HVAC industry, starting with classes in high school, continuing with education in trade schools, and even online certifications,” says Joerger.  

The goal of the series is to educate students about career opportunities in the construction industry. It began in June and runs weekly on CEFGA’s Facebook page, covering topics such as career options, trade schools, industry training, and truths and misconceptions about careers in the skilled trades. 

Host Kayleen McCabe is a contractor and host of “Rescue Renovation” on the DIY Network. CEFGA President and CEO Scott Shelar joins her each week as they speak with students, industry leaders and employers about their experiences and insights around the skilled professions.  

The Facebook Live sessions will begin at Noon each week. Past segments can be viewed at https://cefga.org/k12-pipeline/instagram-live-summer-series/.  

“Even during this pandemic, the construction industry is still strong. But for years, businesses have had trouble hiring trained workers, leading to a skilled labor gap in the U.S.,” says CEFGA’s Shelar. “These Facebook sessions are an opportunity for young people to hear from industry leaders about how we can close the skilled labor gap by giving them the information they need to enter the skilled trade workforce.”

The next few weeks of CEFGA Facebook Live events includes:

• Sept. 1 - Women in the Trades

• Sept. 8 - Counseling K12 students 

• Sept 15 - Virtual Job Site Tour

Job Placement

CEFGA continues to educate students on career options and is working to place students directly into jobs at leading construction companies. High school students interested in a career in construction can text “careerpath” to 31996 to receive a quick application. The CEFGA career placement team will follow up with the student for information on advanced training, apprenticeships, and even job placement.  

The organization will continue to work with teachers and guidance counselors through the COVID-19 crisis and beyond. CEFGA is partially able to provide these services to Georgia’s students through the support and partnership with The Home Depot Foundation, The Marcus Foundation and The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation. The three organizations came together earlier this year to seed a $5.7 million, three-year grant to address the need for skilled workers in the construction trades.