Greg Morgan understands the value of mentorship. The potential for learning from someone more experienced drew him to the Trane HVAC Technician Apprenticeship Program.
A Memphis native, Morgan worked in retail for several years before enrolling in a technical school where he learned the basics of heating and cooling.
After graduating, he did commercial duct work. Then he learned about the Registered Apprenticeship program at Trane. He was hired and joined the apprenticeship program in Trane’s Nashville office about a year ago.
Now he is one of the company’s vast team of technicians servicing large commercial heating and cooling units at hospitals, schools, companies, sports venues, and other sites.
“I feel lucky to have this opportunity,” Morgan said. “It feels good to fix problems for our customers. They want to be cool, so they are happy to see us.”
Jobs for the Future (JFF) provided technical and financial assistance to Trane as it developed its national apprenticeship program, which launched in 2023. The company now has about 160 apprentices in 29 states. Trane’s Workforce Innovation team manages the program from the company’s U.S. headquarters in Davidson, North Carolina.
The four-year HVAC Technician Apprenticeship Program includes on-the-job training at the company’s regional sites as well as related training provided online. Training addresses safety first, and then moves on to other topic areas, including piping, compressors, and heat pumps.
Morgan said one of the best parts of the experience is working with his mentor, Richard Rhea, a senior service technician and team lead. Rhea has 30 years of experience in the heating and cooling industry, including five years with Trane.
Rhea said he learned the business the hard way from an uncle who wasn’t very patient with him. Rhea approaches the role far differently. He said it’s important for the mentors to remember that the apprentices are just learning the skills.
“You can’t get frustrated if they don’t pick it up the first time,” he said.
Initially Trane apprentices go on all their service calls with more experienced technicians. Morgan said he now handles some calls on his own, but he turns to Rhea for guidance when he needs it.
Morgan is looking forward to continuing in the apprenticeship – gaining knowledge and learning new skills. Eventually, he hopes to become a mentor like Rhea.
“That is what is great about the trades – you learn everything from someone else and then you pass it on,” he said.
Learn more about Trane’s registered apprenticeship program here: https://careers.tranetechnologies.com/global/en/commercial-hvac-technician-apprenticeship-program
Publish Date: 10/23/2024