CenTex Vocational provides HVAC training for nontraditional students

By LYNETTE SOWELL
Cove Leader-Press 

Nontraditional students looking for a career that will improve their way of life have the opportunity to train for one at CenTex Vocational, located at 304 Cove Terrace Shopping Center. 
On Friday morning, the facility hosted the monthly Coffee & Commerce gathering of the Copperas Cove Chamber of Commerce. 
Campus Director Dolores T. Dominguez gave tours of the site, which houses classrooms and a hands-on lab where students can get key training that will culminate with them earning certification in both residential and commercial HVAC as well as commercial refrigeration. 
She sees the campus as great opportunity for local adults, both men and women, looking for a well-paying career in a high-demand field like HVAC.
“In a rural area, there’s not a lot of options, and not everyone is going to go to CTC. So we want to impact the community by not only training students, but hiring students,” said Dominguez. “We also want to do a lot of community work.” 
Dominguez said they plan to do field training for students, with instructors on hand to guide them as they assess units and make repairs.
They are looking to expand their course offerings to other trades, Dominguez said. 
“When we talked about programs to start, I said we needed to start with one that’s the most in demand, and the one that will pay the most,” Dominguez said. “We want to add electrician, plumbing, automotive and welding. Anything having to do with the construction trade is huge, and they are skills that they can use anywhere.” 
The school opened its doors in July 2018 and continues to register students for the five-month programs. Dominguez’ involvement in the school happened as a result of a chance meeting with one of the school’s owners, a veteran. 
“I went to Fort Sam Houston and happened to be sitting at the table with one of the Army veterans who’s one of the owners. He said he knew I did charitable work, but what did I do for my regular job? I told him that I open up schools…I’ve seen a lot of bad things, with schools that take advantage of students, take their benefits and not give them anything.”
For Dominguez, hearing the success stories of students who come back from difficult circumstances and poor choices make it worth the time and effort. 
She gave the example of a prior student at another campus where she worked, who came in to enroll in a vocational program.
“He told me he had a felony, when he came in and wanted to go to school. I told him, ‘I’m going to accept you and I’m going to give you a chance. But you’re not going to get in trouble. You’re going to see me every day. You’re going to call me, or I will drop you….I want you to make it.’ But what was motivating him to be there? His five kids. He graduated top of his class.” 
She said the school requires a high school diploma or GED of its students, and if a prospective student has any felonies, they need to be up-front on why. 
“If you don’t tell me, I’m going to run you,” Dominguez said. “Regardless, I want to make sure students are committed and they’re going to finish. If we keep sending them people who aren’t going to finish, they won’t want to pay for them.”
CenTex Vocational is approved and regulated by the Texas Workforce Commission, Career Schools and  Colleges, Austin. Along with the training by instructors with decades of experience, the center offers job placement assistance and help with crafting resumes. 
The school offers both day and evening classes over the course of five months, and provides free tutoring for its students. As far as paying for the training is concerned, CenTex Vocational also sits down with students to help them explore their financial aid options. 
Campus tours can be booked by calling 254-392-2305 and more information can be found on the school’s website at www.centexvocational.com.