Training for a New Career: Michael & Son Starts Skilled Trades Academy
By John R. Blackwell
| Richmond Times-Dispatch
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Full Article
After 10 years working as a bartender, Chris Burke is pursuing a new career opportunity as a skilled tradesman. Wayne Matthews is doing the same, taking classes to become an HVAC technician after working for 30 years in customer service and information technology for a defense contractor.
Both are undergoing training through a new in-house academy created by Michael & Son, an Alexandria-based plumbing, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning company. The Michael & Son Technical Academy LLC started last year and is now in its third class. So far, 19 students have finished the program and 11 others are enrolled. Not everyone finishes the challenging course.
The course includes classroom and lab training, as well as several weeks of riding along with experienced technicians on service calls.