PHOENIX, Ariz. — GateWay Community College is opening its doors to the public on Wednesday, Oct. 15, from 3 to 6 p.m. for an HVAC Open House at its Washington Campus. The event is designed to connect students and community members with training and career opportunities in the heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC-R) industry — a field that continues to see high demand across Arizona and beyond.
Attendees will have the chance to explore GateWay’s state-of-the-art HVAC lab, meet with instructors, and learn about the college’s certificate and associate degree programs. From entry-level training to advanced techniques, GateWay’s HVAC programs prepare students to repair, install, and service systems in both commercial and residential settings.
“Our residential program can be completed in around a year, and then we have an Associate’s Degree program that is more of the two-year program,” said Dr. Tom Nevill, GateWay’s Vice President of Academic Affairs. “We also have a wonderful partnership with Johnson Controls, and Johnson Controls does commercial HVAC for Chase Field and a lot of large commercial industries,” Dr. Nevill said.
Networking with local industry partners including Johnson Controls, APS, and the City of Phoenix/Sky Harbor will be invaluable for attendees, who will also be able to hear about open positions and explore different career pathways.
“This event is a chance for anyone interested in the skilled trades to see what a career in HVAC could look like,” said Dr. Amy Diaz, GateWay Community College President. “We’re excited to showcase our programs and connect attendees with real career opportunities in high demand in Phoenix,” she said.
In fact, the HVAC short-term completion rate for GateWay students is 100% for the last 3 years. Students, whose average age is early 30s, receive hands-on training to be ready to work.
“Thousands of GateWay students from over the years are employed in Maricopa County,” said Dr. Diaz. “The net impact of GateWay’s former students currently employed in the county workforce amounted to $491.5 million in added income in FY 2023-24. We encourage anyone looking for a new career to come and see if GateWay is right for them.”
The event will be held in the SO Building at GateWay’s Washington Campus, located at 108 N. 40th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85034. While admission is free, RSVPs are encouraged to help organizers prepare.
For more information or to RSVP, visit https://www.gatewaycc.edu/hvac-open-house.