SANFORD, Fla. — A local businessman is teaming up with Seminole County to help put more specially trained technicians to work after high school graduation.
- Large need for tradesmen in Seminole County
- CEO of Del-Air is teaming up with the county to help students get certifications
- Lyman High School will have a HVAC course for students starting this year
For more than 30 years Bob Dello-Russo has made a name for himself in Central Florida with Del-Air, a company focusing on air conditioning, heating and appliances.
Dello-Russo believes there is a large need for tradesmen in Seminole County.
His company employs nearly 900 employees and is always in need of good workers.
"Myself, I never went to college, I didn't have time for that. I worked from the day I got out of school," Dello-Russo said.
Dello-Russo is teaming up with Seminole County to help other students get the preparation and certifications they need while attending high school.
His hope is that these students can get jobs right after they graduate if they choose.
"It's to refill our whole trade line," Dello-Russo said.
"Most of the good trades today are running out of good mechanics and that is because they are older they are getting out of the business, they are retiring like myself you know my age group. We don't have a lot of children coming in," he continued.
In a matter of months a student parking lot at Lyman High School will be converted in to a 20,000 plus square foot building that will offer students the opportunity to learn about several different career paths. Those career paths will include welding, HVAC and electrical, as well as general trades like plumbing and carpentry.
Seminole County School board member Dr. Tina Calderone believes this is a win-win for the county and its students.
"In working with our business leaders again locally we found out there was a need for people within the construction trade industry," Dr. Calderone said.
"We wanted to make sure that our children had the opportunity to be work force ready," she continued.
This year, Lyman High School will have a HVAC course for students across the entire district. They will meet twice a week for several hours in seminars with Del-Air techs helping in the educational program.
When this program officially opens it will be a four year program that will be open to all Seminole County students starting within the next two years.
Freshman year will be an introductory year with the hope of finding a specific trade to pursue in their sophomore year and commit too before graduating high school with a diploma and certification.