St. Lawrence College (SLC) is proud to announce that the new on-campus (Kingston) HVAC lab will be named the Reliance Home Comfort Residential HVAC Lab in recognition of a generous gift-in-kind from Reliance Home Comfort. This three-year naming agreement celebrates the donation of more than $104,000 in equipment support for the HVAC lab and the Residential Air Conditioning Systems Mechanic Apprenticeship program.
The donation, which includes modern equipment such as heat pumps, furnaces, and space heaters, will enhance training opportunities for 313D apprentices in the program. The first cohort of nine apprentices completed their Level 1 training in August 2024, finishing the innovative hybrid program. This hybrid model, combining online and in-class learning, was introduced to accommodate the apprentices' need to balance work, life, and career advancement.
The program, which has a capacity of 20 apprentices, will expand in 2025 with the delivery of both Level 1 and Level 2 training. The apprenticeship in Kingston marks SLC's 14th apprenticeship stream, further solidifying the College's commitment to addressing the need for skilled trades education and professionals to fill the workforce shortage in Ontario.
"SLC and Reliance Home Comfort's collaboration positions both as leaders in environmental sustainability and innovation," said Aidan Wornes, Associate Dean, School of Skilled Trades. "As more households adopt green technologies for heating and cooling, the HVAC industry is expected to grow rapidly, creating an increased demand for skilled workers. This partnership ensures that the next generation of HVAC professionals is well-equipped to meet these challenges."
"Reliance is proud to donate equipment to St. Lawrence College's HVAC lab, providing students with the vital tools they need to pursue their licenses in this essential trade," said Constantine Richards, Regional Operations Manager, Reliance Home Comfort. "As the Destination of Choice for our team members and customers, we believe in empowering our community through education and skill development. Together, we are building a brighter future for aspiring professionals in our industry."
"We are grateful to Reliance Home Comfort for their generous support of SLC and the HVAC program," said Glenn Vollebregt, SLC President and CEO. "This partnership demonstrates the importance of our collaboration to ensure that our students are equipped with the skills and training needed to meet the demand for skilled trades professionals. We are proud to prepare students for in-demand careers, and generous donor support such as this helps ensure our learning environments mirror the real-world settings our graduates work in.
