Clay Peacock
U.S. Navy Veteran and Graduate of MTTI
Being in the Navy taught me to talk to all sorts of people, from all walks of life, which is an asset now in a customer-focused HVAC/R career. During the last years of my Navy career, I was part of a building facilities team (NAVFAC) – Naval Facilities (Naval Facilities Engineering Command). I would escort tradesmen—plumbers, electrician and HVAC Technicians—through the building. Watching them work, I recognized I was interested in training for an HVAC career.
After completing my contract with the Navy, I planned to move to Rhode Island to be with family, including my twin sons. The Senior Chief went online to help research schools in the Pawtucket area, where I would be living. Recognizing that as a civilian, I would need to transition quickly into the workforce, he knew I wouldn’t have time to attend a two-year school. He said, ‘MTTI is where you’ll get the most out the training quickly.’
The classes in MTTI’s HVAC/R program are very good. My Instructor, Ash, was very knowledgeable. You are thrown a lot of information and knowledge in a short amount of time. You could study HVAC for years—but the program gives a good baseline to enter into the industry.
MTTI was the best place to get my training; I was able to complete school quickly. We earned OSHA and EPA Certifications while still in the program. Attending the HVAC/R program set me up to get PJF Licenses for natural gas furnace and oil burning furnaces. The program also gave me 2,000 hours towards qualifying to take the Journeyman Licensing exam—which jumps you about 2 years ahead of someone who has not gone to school. I’m glad I picked this career path and trade; HVAC/R is a good fit for me.