On October 30, 2019, at the Greater Hope Church in Spring Hill, T-Volt congratulated another successful class of trained apprentices, this time in Air Conditioning. The ten-week course in basic air conditioning concepts qualify the six men to assist senior air conditioning contractors.
Trained by a master in the field, David Every, the graduates learned about the tools of the trade and how air conditioning works, but they were also given practical skills and advice. “Find an old guy in the industry… you will learn more from them than anyone else,” Every advised. Never expecting to do his job with a laptop and a USB drive, Every told the newly skilled grads that they will need to fall back on low-tech solutions from time to time.
Every also gave the following advice to his students, before they received their certificates; “Never stop learning… don’t take shortcuts… don’t look for the easy way out… be better than the next guy.”
The air conditioning and refrigeration industry is expected to grow, and Every sees no reason why these men should ever face unemployment. “The longest you should be unemployed is a weekend if you quit on a Friday.”
“Stick to your values,” Every said. “Values and reputation, you’ll go far.”
T-Volt founder Mark Johnson commended the students on their perseverance and desire to learn.
Tim Makley of the Greater Hope Church inspired the group to carry on in helping their community, “In the future, as you’re doing well — give back — to the community, to your neighbors, to your friends that might need a hand up in the world.”
T-Volt is an all-volunteer community based non-profit learning center, serving the unemployed, under-employed and high school seniors not going on to college. Each class costs only $25, and provides each graduate with the entry-level skills needed to enter their chosen vocation.
Costs are kept low since most of the tools are donated and T-Volt receives support from the community. T-Volt received a significant donation from Stanley Black and Decker in the form of tools valued at approximately $6000. They received two $500 grants from Walmart and a $200 grant from Harbor Freight.
T- Volt has received tremendous assistance from the Educators’ Club of Timber Pines. The club has helped in a number of ways including helping with donations to buy necessary supplies and equipment. The Greater Hope Church in Kass Circle provided T-Volt free space in their community center to teach the electrical course.
