Today, GateWay Community College, one of the 10 Maricopa Community Colleges, welcomed U.S. Deputy Secretary of Energy David M. Turk and Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs to unveil the Arizona Home Energy Rebate Program. The visit also included a town hall with community organizations and a tour of the college’s state-of-the-art HVAC facilities.
“Sectors like manufacturing, energy, and construction will continue to need a highly-skilled workforce in order to support the economic growth we are witnessing across the state,” said Dr. Steven R. Gonzales, Maricopa Community Colleges Chancellor. “From HVAC technicians to electricians, skilled tradespeople keep our homes, businesses, and cities running. As the largest provider of workforce training in Arizona, we are developing the next generation of skilled workers—who will undoubtedly play a critical role in supporting nearly every facet of our infrastructure.”
A Pipeline of Skilled Workers
Living in the Valley, with temperatures over 95 degrees 158 days a year, residents and businesses rely on dependable air conditioner systems. As the current HVAC workforce begins to retire, GWCC is training the next generation of technicians, ensuring Arizona’s HVAC employers have a steady pool of talent who can meet the maintenance and repair demands of both residential and commercial clients. GWCC offers credit and clock hour HVAC programs that equip students with the skills and training needed to quickly enter the workforce. With residential and commercial pathways available, students can hone their skills to meet their desired career goals.
“It was an honor to showcase our state-of-the-art HVAC facilities to Deputy Secretary David Turk,” said Bruce Martz, HVAC Program Director at GateWay Community College. “This visit highlights the importance of hands-on, industry-aligned training in preparing the next generation of skilled technicians. At GateWay, we are committed to providing our students with the tools and experiences necessary to thrive in today’s workforce. As we look toward the future, integrating clean energy solutions into our curriculum is essential. I’m proud to share our dedication to excellence in education with leaders who understand the critical role of workforce development and clean energy in our community.”
Setting Standards of Excellence
A leader in higher education, the system continues to garner national attention for its workforce initiatives, innovative programming, and efforts to strengthen support for underserved students. Today’s event marks the seventh visit from a national leader this year to one of the 10 Maricopa Community Colleges.
- In January, GWCC welcomed Under Secretary James Kvaal, who toured the college’s healthcare facilities.
- During the spring, U.S. Deputy Secretary of Commerce Don Graves highlighted impactful initiatives that support underserved communities while visiting GWCC and Phoenix College.
- During the commencement season, U.S. Secretary of Treasury Dr. Janet Yellen visited Mesa Community College (MCC), U.S. Secretary of Education Dr. Miguel A. Cardona spent a day at South Mountain Community College, and First Lady of the U.S., Dr. Jill Biden, provided the keynote speech at MCC’s commencement ceremony.
- This summer, White House National Cyber Director, Harry Coker, Jr., met with Glendale Community College (GCC) students, faculty, and staff to discuss the state’s cybersecurity ecosystem.
As Arizona’s largest provider of workforce development training, Maricopa Community Colleges offers over 600 certificate and degree programs, including eight bachelor’s degrees. Learn more at maricopa.edu.