HVAC Career Fair at UEI College in Fresno Opens Doors for Future Technicians

When summer temperatures in Fresno soar into the triple digits, air conditioning isn’t just a luxury—it’s a necessity, making skilled technicians essential to keeping things running. But even after the heat fades, the demand for trained professionals in the Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) industry remains high, making it a career with year-round opportunities.

UEI College in Fresno hosted a recent HVAC Career Fair bringing together students, graduates, and local employers to showcase opportunities in the growing HVAC industry. Nearly a dozen HVAC companies attended, actively recruiting skilled workers.

The career fair gave students a chance to network, submit applications, and participate in on-the-spot interviews. Employers emphasized the high demand for qualified HVAC technicians and the strong job outlook in the region.

“We host these career fairs to give our students every opportunity to succeed,” said Louie Lopez, Chair of the Skilled Trades Programs at UEI College, Fresno. “The HVAC industry is always in need of trained professionals, and events like this connect our students and graduates directly with companies looking to hire right now. It’s a win-win for everyone.”

Lance Adams, General Manager of Allbritten, a local HVAC, electrical, and plumbing company, echoed that sentiment. “We’re gearing up for the busy summer season, and I have several open HVAC positions I’m recruiting for today,” he said. “UEI College is a very reputable school. In fact, one of our best employees is now an instructor here, and we currently employ two recent UEI graduates—they’ve been great. What I love about UEI is that they take our feedback on what HVAC students need to know to succeed in the field.”

Other employers shared similar experiences.

“We’ve hired several UEI graduates, and three of them are working for us right now,” said Edna Pearson from The Alvarado Group, a coalition of companies that includes Highlands Diversified, Highlands Trade Partners, and Highlands Energy Services. “In fact, our HVAC manager is a UEI graduate, and he’s fantastic. We regularly have open positions so attending events like this help us a lot.”

Brad Melton is the President of JC Melton Air Conditioning, a family business his father Frank Melton started in 1948. “I’ve been in HVAC for almost 40 years, and it is a very rewarding career,” he said. “It’s a good field if you like to work with your hands and there is no shortage of work – especially in Fresno’s hot summers.”

Melton also highlighted the value of hiring UEI graduates. “They come in with a strong foundation, and that’s why I’m here today. I’ve already collected a stack of applications and conducted several interviews. The challenge now is who to hire from this strong pool of candidates.”

Angel Hernandez, founder and owner of Costless Heating, Plumbing and Air Conditioning shared a similar perspective. “I’ve hired a lot of UEI grads because they come in with the basic knowledge we need, allowing us to train them to fit our operations.”

Diego Tapetillo, a 2023 UEI HVAC graduate who now works at Costless, attended the career fair with Hernandez to help recruit for open positions.

“I love working for Angel and Costless. He treats his people well,” Tapetillo said. “When I first started, he paired me with an experienced technician who trained me in the field. It didn’t take long until I was out in my own truck.”

Reflecting on his education, Tapetillo added, “UEI was the perfect steppingstone into my career. The instructors provided hands-on learning, and I wouldn’t be in HVAC without them. It’s a great field that will only continue to grow.”

“This event is about more than just finding a job—it’s about launching a career,” Lopez said. “Our students work hard in their training, and we want to ensure they have access to real-world opportunities as soon as they graduate.”

Araceli Romero, a 2024 HVAC graduate, agreed. “UEI prepared me well for the field. The program covered all the basics I needed to know, and I felt confident stepping into my career.”

Mason Cornelius, the class Valedictorian at UEI Fresno’s recent graduation, is eager to land his first job in the HVAC field now that he’s turned the tassel. When he heard about the career fair, he jumped at the opportunity.

“I’ve always been good at working with my hands, so HVAC seemed like the perfect career path for me,” Cornelius said. “At UEI, I hit the ground running because the instructors were great and provided us with the hands-on experience we needed. Today is very helpful for me as a recent graduate because I can meet directly with people at multiple companies that I’ve been interested in. It is fantastic that UEI does this.”

Since launching its HVAC program a decade ago, UEI College has graduated more than 800 students, many of whom are now working across the industry. The HVAC Career Fair is just one way the college continues to support its students beyond the classroom.

Graduates from all UEI programs receive career placement assistance, resume-building support, and interview coaching to help them secure employment in their chosen fields.