Posts Tagged Building Trades Academy

A very cool contribution to Tidewater Builders Association

 

Dean Thomasson instructs student in the art of installing an air compressor outside the Building Trades Academy

Dean Thomasson instructs students in the art of installing an air compressor outside the Building Trades Academy

A huge debt of gratitudes goes to Dean Thomasson of Thomasson Enterprises Heating & Cooling.  Dean provided hands-on training as well as hands-on help to Tidewater Builders Association and its Building Trades Academy.

After Thomasson taught an intensive classroom course in heating and air conditioning, it was outside to the extreme heat to install an air handler and a compressor to keep things cool inside the building.

The equipment was provided courtesy of Superior Equipment Sales, Inc., which will be providing additional equipment to replace the system in the headquarters building as well as the building that is currently rented by Calvary Revival Church.

The students, whose training was funded by The Southeastern Tidewater Opportunity Project, Inc (STOP), will be able to use their knowledge to get their CFC certification in heating and air conditioning.

By the time things cool down this winter, TBA will still have warm feelings for Thomasson and Superior Equipment, thanks to the installation of the new system, which saved the association thousands of dollars in costs.

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Father finds new direction while in sheriff’s custody

Eric Cross, Portmouth, is joined by his fiance, Carmen Moore, and his 11-year-old son, Martice Moore, to celebrate completion of the Building Trades Academy 12-week training program.

Eric Cross, Portmouth, is joined by his fiance, Carmen Moore, and their 11-year-old son, Martice Moore, to celebrate his completion of the Building Trades Academy 12-week training program.

Eric Cross invited his fiancé and his 11-year-old son to help celebrate completion of his training at Tidewater Builders Association’s Building Trades Academy. But this wasn’t just any class of students.

Cross was part of a pilot program for 10 students coordinated by Portsmouth Sheriff Bill Watson to provide job skills to non-violent offenders.

Cross’s conviction was overturned on appeal and he could have left the training program when he was released, but he continued to attend every day for the entire 12 weeks. He wanted to receive his certification in electricity and in heating and air conditioning.

With a background in roofing and painting, his skills played a key role in the completion of the community service projects the class completed, including installation of a new roof on the cafeteria at the Chesapeake Services Center in Portsmouth — part of the hands-on training the class received.

Cross, 41, hopes to join other BTA graduates who have been placed in maintenance jobs at multifamily housing communities.

See Barbara Ciara’s coverage of the class graduation on WTKR-3.

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