In a move to combat homelessness and offer new beginnings, Austin Community College (ACC) has partnered with Urban Alchemy to provide free HVAC training to some of Austin's unhoused population. As reported by KVUE, this initiative is aimed not just at skills development, but also housing stabilization.
The 20-week certification program is set to uniquely unfold at the Austin Resource Center for the Homeless (ARCH) and 8th Street shelters, allowing participants to effectively jump-start their education. Classes are scheduled thrice a week, a structure crafted to ensure the course is manageable alongside the day-to-day realities of shelter living. "We are excited to start this class at the ARCH," Marci Shurll, a coordinator with ACC, told KVUE. "ACC is indeed for everyone in the community, and we look forward to educating and empowering the students residing here."
Participants in the program, which launches this month, will be considered ACC students and have access to the college's resources including computer labs, campus library, and more. Urban Alchemy and ACC emphasize that there is a high demand for HVAC technicians in the Austin area, and the program is designed to quickly transition students from classroom to career. According to KXAN, Precious Hicks, one of the 25 individuals enrolled, said, "This is my first time ever having an opportunity to start over in life."
Austin Community College has also committed to connecting students with potential employers even before they graduate, an approach to ensure they can to transition into the job market with competitive salaries. Kevin Lee, the director of operations for Urban Alchemy, expressed optimism about the program's potential impact: "We see this as more than a training program – it’s a housing program," Lee said, in a statement obtained by KVUE. "Some of our guests only need to find good-paying jobs in order to get their own apartments. We’re so grateful to the college for giving them this opportunity."
