Three graduates of Greenville Technical College’s Industrial Electricity and the Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning/Refrigeration (HVAC/R) programs received Spring 2019 outstanding student awards and gifts sponsored by Klein Tools and Malco Products at a special ceremony earlier this month.
Avery Coffey of Greenville and Timothy D. Reid of Simpsonville were recognized as Spring 2019 Outstanding Graduates of their respective programs and each received a certificate and a special pair of engraved lineman’s pliers, valued over $190. Instructors selected students for the special awards based on various academic and non-academic criteria, including an observed passion for the industry.
Coffey, who is employed by Trane: Heating and Air Conditioning Services and Systems, maintained a 4.0 GPA and will graduate in Spring 2019 with an Air Conditioning/Refrigeration Technician Certificate in Applied Science. “Avery was a serious and focused student who was eager to learn about the HVAC career field,” said GTC HVAC/R Instructor Greg Ballenger, who nominated Coffey for the award. “He practiced in and outside of the classroom and demonstrated a desire to learn and master the trade, not just to pass his classes, but to change his life.”
Reid, who is earning an Industrial Electricity Certificate in Applied Science, plans to further his studies in solar technology. Employed full-time as a logistics director at LEL International, Reid completed the certificate while taking evening classes and maintaining a 4.0 GPA.
Since 1857, Klein Tools, a family-owned and operated company, has been designing, developing and manufacturing premium-quality, professional-grade hand tools. As part of their business philosophies, Klein Tools supports, financially and otherwise, worthwhile charities, educational institutions, and other organizations working to improve socio-economic conditions. www.kleintools.com
Kyle C. Farrell of Williamston is the 2019 “Head of Class” award recipient sponsored by Malco Products. “Head of the Class” winners receive a certificate, cap and over $190 in Malco Products tools that they can use when entering the workforce. The HVAC service kit Coffey received includes Turbo Shear, Impact Grade Quick Change Extension Bits in 3” and 12”, C-RHEX Dual Sided Magnetic Hex Drivers in 2” and 2-5/8”, Connext3 Ratcheting Handle and a Writable Measuring Tape.
Farrell is completing an Air Conditioning/Refrigeration Technician Certificate in Applied Science. He took both evening and day classes while working full-time as an HVAC maintenance technician and maintaining a 4.0 GPA.
Malco Products, the nation’s leading manufacturer of tools for HVAC professionals, has been recognizing technical education graduates for 13 years. In that time, they have honored 40,000 students representing 500 technical schools, joint apprenticeships and training committees, and industry association career education programs in the United States and Canada. www.malcoproducts.com
According to Franklin Smith, interim department head over HVAC/R, Building Construction Technology and the IE department head, the average hourly wage for an electrician in South Carolina is $22 per hour, and the typical annual salary ranges between $43,680 and $58,240. The average hourly wage for an HVAC/R mechanic or technician in the state is around $20 per hour with the typical annual salary ranging between $37,400 and $52,000. Salary ranges vary based on factors like location, education, certification and number of years working in the field.
To learn more about the HVAC/R program at Greenville Technical College, visit www.gvltec.edu/hvacr/.
To learn more about the college’s Industrial Electricity certificate program, which trains students to be an entry-level electrician, visit www.gvltec.edu/industrial-electricity/.
Visit www.gvltec.edu/gainful-employment/ for important information about the educational debt, earnings and graduation rates of students who attended programs.
Photo caption, l-r: Franklin Smith (interim department head for IE, BCT and HVAC/R); Timothy Reid; Kyle Farrell; Avery Coffey; Greg Ballenger (HVAC/R instructor); and, Andrew Fitch (HVAC/R instructor).