ClimateCare Canada, the country’s largest co-operative of residential HVAC contractors, is pleased to announce its new partnership with Support Ontario Youth (SOY), an organization created to increase the number of apprentices and journeymen in the construction industry.
A major challenge of small and medium HVAC contractors is recruiting, training and retaining new skilled labour. This new partnership will benefit ClimateCare member companies by giving them access to SOY’s recruiting, candidate screening and apprentice support programs. SOY helps employers through the apprentice hiring process and can assist employers and apprentices with navigating financial aids, accessing training opportunities and reducing the burden of managing the apprenticeship education program.
Mentorship is a significant component of a strong apprenticeship program and to ensure the success of current and future HVAC apprentices SOY has engaged Brandi Ferenc as an HVAC mentor. Ms. Ferenc brings 15 years of industry experience to SOY and is currently an HVAC Journeyman (313A, Gas Fitter 1) with Southlake Hospital in Newmarket, Ontario, and an instructor at Georgian College in Barrie, Ontario.
Brandi Ferenc, HVAC Mentor with SOY
“Support Ontario Youth’s long term vision is to secure professional partnerships with progressive organizations such as ClimateCare, and develop an apprenticeship system that works and is sustainable,” said Glenda Rahn, SOY’s Program Manager for Construction. “We constantly hear about the need for quality skilled tradespersons and we recognize the important role employers have in apprenticeship and it is the key reason SOY works so closely with them.
