Story Submitted by Eric Ward, Pickens Technical College Assistant Director
Five students from Pickens Technical College Heating and Air Conditioning program (HVAC) recently participated in the inaugural SkillsUSA National Signing Day. Similar to "National Signing Day" events for high school student athletes, these high school seniors announced their commitment to pursue a career or continue with their education in the HVAC industry or skilled trades. Several of these seniors will have received job offers and will begin their careers upon graduation.
Official spokespeople NFL quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo and his father, Tony Garoppolo, a career electrician, celebrated SkillsUSA National Signing Day with the students at Silicon Valley Career Technical Education in San Jose, CA.
"Signing Day was a big moment in my life," said J. Garoppolo. "It solidified my decision to attend college and play football, putting me on course to where I am today in my NFL career. The students we are celebrating today are making that same kind of commitment. This is their first step on the path to a rewarding and vital career. From here, they'll need to work on the skill, patience and hard work required to succeed as a trade professional, a lesson I learned from my dad, who supported our family as a professional electrician. Congratulations to all the hardworking students who are signing their official 'letters of intent' today."
Students participating in the first-ever SkillsUSA National Signing Day received a Klein Tools signing kit, which includes a hat, t-shirt, bag and a pair of professional-grade Klein Tools pliers to start their careers.
Pickens Technical College is home to the largest SkillsUSA chapter in the state of Colorado, and students from its programs earned a total of 48 gold, silver and bronze medals at the SkillsUSA Colorado State Leadership and Skills Conference in April. The gold medalists will advance to the National Leadership and Skills Conference in June in Louisville, KY.
