At its annual conference in Colorado last week, the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) honored Halco with its 2008 excellence in training award.
The national award recognizes Halco for its commitment to training all of its more than 100 employees. The award also cites Halco for going a step further and offering training to displaced and underemployed workers from throughout Ontario, Wayne, Seneca and Yates counties.
Halco employees receive extensive training and certification through nationally recognized training organizations, including NATE (North American Technician Excellence), NCCER (National Center for Construction Education & Research) and BPI (Building Performance Institute).
Most Halco technicians are NATE certified, qualifying the company as a NATE Quality Circle Contractor. Many technicians have been certified in multiple specialties and four hold all seven specialty certifications.
Halco is also very involved in the development of the community workforce. In January, the company opened an in-house technical school for displaced and underemployed workers. After completing the 25-week course, taught in cooperation with Monroe Community College (MCC), the students will be able to further their training and will also be placed with an area heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) company.
Four nights a week and on Saturday, Halco provides nationally recognized NCCER trade apprenticeship courses, also in cooperation with MCC. Taught in two 15-week semesters per year, these training courses provide instruction in the HVAC, sheetmetal, plumbing and electrical crafts, construction essentials and the OSHA 30-hour safety course.
Last year, Halco was runner-up for the excellence in training award. “We were honored to be a finalist last year,” said Hal Smith, president of Halco, “but winning the training award this year reinforces the significance of Halco’s dedication to training to our customers and in the community.”
Established in 1984, Halco is the largest plumbing, heating and air conditioning contractor in the Finger Lakes. The Phelps-based company is very involved with trade and community organizations. Smith is vice-chairman of the Finger Lakes Workforce Investment Board and chairs the planning board that conducts “Finger Lakes Works With Their Hands”. This annual one-day event at the Empire Farm Days site in Seneca Falls introduces job opportunities in the skilled trades to more than 500 area high school students.
