United Association Partners with Schools

The United Association of Apprentices and Journeymen (UA) is sponsoring HVAC Excellence’s National HVACR Education Conference, an event specifically designed for HVACR educators and trainers to stay current in this rapidly evolving industry.?

The UA recognizes that top HVACR educational programs send their instructors to the National HVACR Education Conference to keep up with industry advancements. Featuring nearly 100 sessions led by industry experts and top manufacturers, this conference ensures educators are equipped with the latest tools and knowledge to train the workforce of tomorrow. To make it easier for instructors to attend, the UA is sponsoring the event to help reduce costs of attendance.?

About the UA

The UA represents over 380,000 men and women across the United States and Canada, with more than 60,000 professionals working in the HVACR Service Industry. In partnership with leading employers such as Johnson Controls, Carrier Commercial, EMCOR, McKinstry, and over 1,200 members of the Mechanical Service Contractors of America (MSCA), part of the Mechanical Contractors Association of America (MCAA), the UA is committed to addressing the growing demand for skilled HVACR workers.

Although their employer partners offer excellent career opportunities, including competitive wages and benefits, they face challenges in filling open positions with qualified candidates. To help bridge this gap, the UA is collaborating with leading HVACR educational programs at community colleges, trade schools, and high schools, ensuring students secure rewarding careers in this expanding field.

"The partnership between the United Association (UA) and HVAC Excellence is a natural fit. We both share a passion for the HVACR industry and training the workforce of the future. HVAC Excellence has over 130 accredited schools across the United States, and the UA has over 1,400 signatory contractors. It’s the perfect transition for students into the workforce, offering well-paying jobs, excellent benefits—including pensions—and advanced training through apprenticeships and journeyman programs," said Brian Kelly, UA Director of HVACR Services.?

To streamline recruitment, UA locals and their employer partners are focusing on partnering with local HVACR educational programs. Many technical schools offer essential coursework in mechanical systems, electricity, blueprint reading, and refrigeration, both in classroom and field settings. Additionally, students develop basic customer service and business skills, such as professionalism and punctuality. One of the greatest advantages of recruiting students from these programs is that they have already committed to the HVACR industry, making them ideal candidates for companies seeking motivated, skilled workers.?

Benefit to Schools

Schools also benefit from placing their graduates with top employers who provide the opportunity to earn six-figure incomes, health insurance, pension plans, service vehicles, uniforms, and lifelong learning. By partnering with UA employers, students gain access to better career opportunities, and schools can improve their placement statistics, making it easier to attract more students to their programs.?

As an added benefit for schools and students, programs accredited by HVAC Excellence and students meeting the requirements of the articulation agreement between the UA and HVAC Excellence may be eligible for advanced placement opportunities within the UA’s apprenticeship training program. Typically, when students graduate from an HVACR program, they often are required to repeat courses. However, through this articulation agreement, students applying to the UA’s apprenticeship program may receive up to one year of training credit, allowing them to start their apprenticeship in the second year, getting credit for what they have already learned.?

Benefit to the UA

This articulation agreement supports UA Locals in their efforts to recruit the next generation of service technicians. By recruiting graduates from HVAC Excellence-accredited programs, the UA minimizes high attrition rates, as these students have already demonstrated their commitment to the industry and possess foundational knowledge and practical skills.?

Learn More

Members of the UA team will actively participate in the National HVACR Education Conference to help HVACR educators connect their graduates with leading employers. The goal is to ensure that every student is aware of the career opportunities available to them in this exciting and growing industry.

To learn more about the National HVACR Education Conference and register, visit escogroup.org , and click the conference link. To learn more about the United Association of Apprentices and Journeymen, visit ua.org or view the enclosed video.