MCC transitional studies students now have another reason to explore careers in heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC/R) through the college’s new Transition to Technology: The Gateway to HVAC/R Program. The program was made possible with a $20,000 gift to the Monroe Community College Foundation from The Grainger Foundation based upon a recommendation from Amy Zah, branch manager of Grainger’s South Rochester facility.
Following a workforce development roundtable meeting at MCC in July, Grainger representatives presented a check for $20,000 to MCC President Anne M. Kress and MCC Foundation Executive Director Diane L. Shoger. The gift enables the college to focus on recruitment efforts, award scholarships to 16 students this fall, and offer a 15-week Gateway to HVAC/R course. The program also pairs students with a peer mentor currently enrolled in MCC’s HVAC/R associate degree program and a faculty adviser in order to assist with their transition. The gift was the first from Grainger to the MCC Foundation.
“Grainger is an advocate for technical education and supports the success of students in the trades,” said Grainger District Branch Services Manager Corbin Olsen. “We are committed to helping stem the growing shortage of skilled workers while supporting the increasing technical demands of today’s manufacturing workplace.”
“Through its service to local customers, Grainger has helped MCC identify a community need for more skilled HVAC/R workers for Rochester,” said Kress. “Grainger’s generous gift to the MCC Foundation will introduce more students to HVAC/R careers and, ultimately, help ease a critical labor shortage for our community.”
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the retirement of baby boomers from the workforce, an increase in the demand for manufacturing jobs and a drop in the number of students pursuing technical or engineering degrees are factors fueling a labor shortage that is projected to have critical implications for the future. Among the hardest-hit sectors are pipe fitters, HVAC technicians, heavy equipment operators and welders.
The Gateway to HVAC/R Program will be offered this fall at MCC’s Applied Technologies Center. Students will be introduced to energy-efficient and environmentally friendly technologies that directly relate to the HVAC/R industry, including spending time in MCC’s new alternative Energies and Refrigeration Lab. The program will prepare successful students to enroll in MCC’s degree program in fall 2010 and will also serve as a model for future Transition to Technology programs between interdisciplinary and technical education divisions of the college.
W.W. Grainger Inc. (NYSE: GWW), with 2008 sales of $6.9 billion, is a broad line supplier of facilities maintenance products serving businesses and institutions in the United States, Canada, Mexico, China and Panama. Through a highly integrated network including more than 600 branches, 18 distribution centers and multiple Web sites, Grainger’s employees help customers get the job done. The company has 18 locations across the state, including its two Rochester locations. For more information, please visit https://www.grainger.com.
The Monroe Community College Foundation seeks and secures private funds to supplement Monroe Community College’s traditional revenue sources. Through its ongoing efforts, it provides scholarship assistance, faculty enrichment programs, funding for educational equipment and seed money for innovative programs.
Rosanna Condello
College and Community Relations
08/06/2009 |