ICTC-DAWSON GLOVER
SALLISAW HIGH SCHOOL
“My dad told me I was a hard worker, and I was good with my hands so when I went on a tour of ICTC with my school I saw the HVAC program and thought it would be interesting.”
That’s how Sallisaw High School junior Dawson Glover found an interest in pursuing a class at the Indian Capital Technology Center in Sallisaw that can provide him a life-long career. Dawson is in his first year of the two-year HVAC class at ICTC taught by Alex Girdner who is in his fourth year at the school and is also still active in the business.
“This is a two-year program and if the high school student completes all four semesters of the course, they’ll earn two years credit towards either a journeyman’s license which takes three years of on-the-job experience or a contractor’s license which requires four years,” explained Girdner. “They’ll also complete an EPA certification that is required to carry refrigerant. Our goal in this course is to teach youngsters the basics of the HVAC industry and to help them get a job that’s not just a steppingstone to another stage but is a real job that can support a family and provide a successful life.”
At Sallisaw High, Dawson runs cross country and track and is also a wrestler and he says hard work and dedication are things that are required both in his HVAC work and on the wrestling mat.
“Both of these require hard work in order to do the job right or win the wrestling match,” said Dawson who has a goal of making it to state in wrestling this year.
The HVAC course is about 50-50 book work and hands-on training with the last part of the second year centered on putting the students to work with a contractor where they get paid while also getting credit for their schooling and learning first-hand about the business.
Dawson is happy with his decision and would advise other high school students who are undecided about their future to take a hard look at ICTC.
“My advice would be to jump right in and see what it’s all about and not wait too long to decide.”
