Halco Spearheads Youth Career Education Program

Phelps, NY - Halco is proud to announce its participation as an Explorer Post in Learning for Life’s Exploring program, which gives youth the opportunity to receive real-world career experiences.

As a first-time Explorer Post, Halco opens its doors to the community’s youth enabling them to visit the facilities and experience working life in the skilled trades. Students will come to Halco once a month during the school year for a total of eight visits.

Owner Hal Smith, a Chair of the Finger Lakes Work Force, has partnered with Explorers to make this happen.

“It is very exciting to bring this Exploring program to the four counties of the Finger Lakes. It gives youth hands-on experience with Halco and other reputable businesses,” said Smith.

Exploring is a career education program for youth who are 14 (and have completed the eighth grade) through 20 years old. It aims to provide experiences that help young people develop into mature, responsible working adults. Employees benefit as well by showing leadership and problem-solving skills, improving community involvement, and being identified as good adult role models—just to name a few of the positive outcomes.

Participating in training and education is not new to Halco. The company has its own Training Center in conjunction with a local community college to offer classes in the trades to employees, students, and those out of work. Smith started Halco almost three decades ago and has led the company to remarkable growth. Today they help customers live more comfortable lives through their comprehensive services including renewable energy system installations, home energy assessments, design-build work, and high-efficiency heating and cooling systems.

Halco serves both residential and commercial customers throughout the Finger Lakes from Rochester and Binghamton to Canandaigua, Ithaca, and more.