PHCC Re-Entry Program Builds HVAC Workforce Through Inmate Training
Key Highlights
- The program is a seven-week, in-person HVAC and plumbing pre-apprenticeship course based on PHCC Academy curriculum.
- The initiative aims to address the nationwide shortage of skilled HVAC technicians, projected to reach 225,000 by 2027.
- Inmates who complete the program are supported with job interview opportunities and ongoing online training after release.
INDIANAPOLIS — PHCC Indiana has launched a new HVAC training program aimed at addressing workforce shortages while preparing inmates for careers in the skilled trades.
The Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors—National Association Indiana Chapter, in partnership with the PHCC Educational Foundation, introduced a seven-week re-entry program focused on HVAC and plumbing pre-apprenticeship training. The initiative is designed to equip inmates with job-ready skills before they return to the workforce.
The program is based on the PHCC Academy’s curriculum and is delivered through weekly, in-person sessions at the Hamilton County Jail in Noblesville, Indiana. Participants attend two-hour classes led by an instructor and must meet course requirements to complete the training.
The first cohort, which began in March, includes eight inmates with non-violent offenses. Eligibility requires participant interest and approval, and program organizers report a waiting list for future enrollment.
Training focuses on foundational HVAC concepts, including safety practices, applied mathematics, and refrigeration cycles. Participants also receive hands-on instruction in tools, materials, and installation methods used in the field. Upon completion, participants receive training certificates issued by PHCC Indiana.
Program leaders said the initiative is intended to support workforce development while addressing a growing shortage of skilled labor. Industry estimates indicate the HVAC sector could face a shortage of 225,000 technicians nationwide by 2027.
Chuck Gillespie, the state Executive Director, is running the pre-apprenticeship program inside the jail and will issue training certificates to the prisoners who complete the course.
“This is an extraordinary program and an opportunity for inmates to get a second chance in life,” said Gillespie. “By offering these individuals the life skills and professional training, we’re helping to prepare them for future employment in the trades.”
To support them in their transition back into the workforce, Gillespie is working with local PHCC member organizations to provide the inmates interview opportunities upon successful course completion. “While we cannot promise they will get hired, we can do our best to set them up for success,” added Gillespie.
The training initiative is part of the Hamilton County Jail’s Transitioning Opportunities for Work, Education and Reality program, which provides career development resources such as resume support and job readiness activities.
Organizers said participants who are released before completing the program will be enrolled in the PHCC Academy’s online pre-apprenticeship course at no cost, allowing them to continue their training after release.
To learn more about the PHCC Academy’s courses and enroll, visit: phccacademy.org/courses.