Home-Tech Accepting Applications for 'Earn While You Learn' Apprenticeship Program

Online, November 29, 2011 (Newswire.com) - Home-Tech, Southwest Florida's leading air conditioning and major appliance sales and service provider, is now accepting applications for its apprenticeship program, which provides on-the-job training for qualified job seekers. Each year, Home-Tech hires eight to twelve apprentice technicians who receive a unique opportunity to "earn while they learn" at the company's in-house training facility and out in the field as they ride along with a senior technician. This year, for the first time, the company will train service technicians at its new $1.3 million, 10,400-square-foot service office, technical training center and showroom on Lena Road in East Manatee County.

Interested applicants should call 800-433-9740, ext. 298 for information on how to apply for the program that begins in January 2012. Home-Tech apprentices undergo a rigorous, more than 8-week "boot camp" at the training center's classrooms, which include appliances and an HVAC system for hands-on practice. After completing the classroom training, each apprentice is assigned to ride along with a senior technician for 45 days before they begin to handle routine calls on their own. Training continues throughout the first year, with in-house instruction totaling 260 hours.

"We are providing a full-ride scholarship to a proven career path," said Home-Tech president Steve Marino. "We not only pay their tuition, we pay them to learn. By investing in people early in their careers, we get highly qualified technicians who are dedicated to our customers."

One example of the program's success is Lee Wilcox. Seven years ago, he completed the Home-Tech apprenticeship program, and has since moved up through the ranks from service technician to supervisor to his new job as field service manager for the company's Sarasota/Manatee facility, which provides service to Venice, Sarasota and Bradenton.

"When I went out on my own, I did 'clean and checks' on air conditioning systems for the first year," said Wilcox. "During that time, I was in the classroom at least once a month for additional training. My second year on the job, I was able to work on other appliances, and by my third year, I was recognized as an elite technician. At Home-Tech, the opportunities to learn and grow are endless. It's worked out great for me."

For more information, call 800-433-9740, ext. 298. Applicants must be at least 21 years old, drug-free, with a good driving record and no criminal record.

About Home-Tech
Home-Tech has been an industry leader and trendsetter in the fields of home-service agreements, air conditioning, and major appliance sales and service for three decades. Founded in 1981 by Steve Marino, who continues as President and Chairman of the Board, Home-Tech is privately held and employee-owned. Home-Tech employs 135 people in Southwest Florida and provides services in Sarasota, Manatee, Lee, Collier and Charlotte counties. Home-Tech operates from its headquarters in Fort Myers and a regional office in Bradenton. For more information, visit www.Home-Tech.com or call 239-433-3344.

Grapevine Communications has been selected by Home-Tech to provide public relations services. Grapevine is a full-service, award-winning advertising, marketing and public relations firm based in Lakewood Ranch, Florida, and serving clients nationwide. The firm was awarded the 2010 Frank G. Berlin, Sr., Small Business Award by the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce and celebrated donating over $1 Million in pro-bono services to area non-profits in 2010. For more information on Grapevine Communications, call Gabriele Vest at 941-351-0024 or email gvest@grapeinc.com