SkillCat, EGIA HVAC Workforce Program Selects 76 Students for JobReady Training
Key Highlights
- The 13-week program includes technical training, industry certifications, hands-on experience, and a free toolkit for participants.
- Eight companies are actively hiring entry-level HVAC technicians, offering guaranteed interviews upon program completion.
- SkillCat plans to expand the program as interest among students and employers grows, creating a scalable workforce development model.
SAN FRANCISCO & SACRAMENTO, California — SkillCat has launched JobReady, a new HVAC workforce development program created in partnership with EGIA, with the first cohort consisting of 76 students from across the United States.
The 13-week program is designed to prepare participants for entry-level HVAC careers through a combination of technical training, industry certifications, hands-on experience, and employer connections.
According to SkillCat, JobReady was developed to address common barriers facing individuals interested in entering the skilled trades, including training costs, tool expenses, certification requirements, and access to employment opportunities.
During the program, students will learn HVAC fundamentals, complete industry-recognized certifications including Environmental Protection Agency Section 608 certification, receive hands-on training, and obtain a free toolkit.
SkillCat has partnered with eight companies that are actively hiring entry-level technicians. Upon completing the program, participants will receive guaranteed interviews with those employers.
For HVAC contractors navigating ongoing workforce shortages, the program represents another approach to recruiting and developing new talent. The initiative is designed to connect prospective technicians directly with employers while providing foundational technical training before entering the field.
The inaugural cohort includes participants from a variety of backgrounds and career stages, including career changers, individuals seeking alternatives to traditional college pathways, and people reentering the workforce.
“We chose to participate in the JobReady program because we believe there is significant untapped potential among individuals who are entering or reentering the workforce,” said Joseph Amegatcher, chief executive officer of Bavat Intelligence Group, one of the eight participating employers. “In our experience, technical skills can be taught, but qualities like work ethic, accountability, adaptability, and a genuine willingness to learn are the real drivers of long-term success.”
Over the next 13 weeks, students will complete training, earn certifications, develop hands-on skills, and prepare for interviews with participating HVAC employers.
SkillCat said it plans to expand JobReady with future cohorts as interest grows among students, employers, and workforce development partners. The company described the program as a workforce model that combines training, certification, and direct connections to employment opportunities.