From Service to Success
Veterans, career-changers power TSTC’s HVAC program
In Texas, a properly functioning heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system isn’t a luxury — it’s an absolute necessity. To meet the soaring workforce demand in this essential industry, Texas State Technical College launched its HVAC program at the Abilene campus in 2025.
Led by highly seasoned instructors in a real-world lab setting, the program attracts a diverse community of learners, from recent high school graduates to adult professionals pivoting into lucrative second careers.
Hands-On Training and a Guaranteed Future
The core of TSTC’s appeal lies in its immersive, hands-on learning environment, which replicates exactly what technicians encounter in the field.
“When students come into the lab and see what we’re training on, the program sells itself,” said Ryan Guerrero, one of the HVAC instructors. “We show them a few demonstrations, and most people gravitate to the walk-in cooler because it’s fully operable.”
Beyond the state-of-the-art lab experience, TSTC offers a powerful career safety net that sets it apart from traditional institutions. The HVAC program is backed by TSTC’s signature Money-Back Guarantee. If eligible graduates do not secure a job offer within six months of graduation, the college refunds their tuition in full — a testament to the high demand for TSTC alumni.
This bold employment promise is what drew Lucas Moreno to the program. After earning a degree in farm and ranch management from a local community college, Lucas found himself struggling to gain traction in the job market.
“I heard a lot about TSTC while I was in high school,” said Lucas, a Hawley native. “I finished junior college and struggled to find a job. I knew that TSTC would help me in finding a job. After looking at all of the programs, HVAC was a perfect fit for me.”
Lucas plans to pair his agricultural background with his newly acquired technical expertise to build a self-sustaining future as a business owner. “I want to be able to do a lot of the work myself,” Lucas said. “I first want to find a good-paying job and save money in order to buy my own ranch.”
Veteran Voices and Diverse Perspectives
Lucas trains alongside classmates from all walks of life, including military veterans who are utilizing their discipline and background to master the trade.
Among them is Julian Cervantes, a Brownsville native and non-traditional student who served in the U.S. Air Force. Julian has worked successfully as an electrician for eight years, frequently utilizing his skills to help neighbors and complete repairs at his local church. By adding an HVAC credential to his toolkit, he is significantly expanding his versatility and income potential.
“This is another trade that I enjoy,” Julian said. “I did not do any electrical work while serving in the U.S. Air Force. Adding this to my skill set is not only exciting, but useful. With HVAC under my belt, my church will want to hire me for more jobs.”
For Julian, returning to TSTC is also the fulfillment of a lifelong goal. He originally attended the college in the late 1980s to study computer networking but paused his education to enlist. Decades later, he is back to finish what he started. “One day I can say I finished my education at TSTC with another skill on my resume,” Julian said.
Across the lab, fellow military veteran Arren Hawley works on his assignments with similar ease. A U.S. Navy veteran from Moran, Arren chose to use his GI Bill® benefits to secure a stable, high-demand career path after transitioning out of the service.
“I needed to find a job after being medically discharged,” Arren said. “I looked at the different programs at TSTC, and just said, ‘HVAC it is.’ I have been able to catch on pretty quickly.”
Arren notes that the classroom’s wide range of age groups and backgrounds creates a uniquely collaborative environment where everyone pushes each other to excel. “
We all work well together to make sure we will be successful,” Arren said. “Having a diverse class when it comes to age helps all students work toward a common goal — success both in the program and in their careers.”
Learning From 50 Years of Industry Expertise
Helping these students reach that common goal are the program’s faculty leaders. Instructors Ryan Guerrero and Shane White bring a powerful competitive advantage to the classroom, boasting more than 50 combined years of hands-on HVAC industry experience before stepping up to spearhead the Abilene program.
This deep well of industry knowledge creates an enriched learning environment that the students deeply appreciate.
“We get to hear their point of view of what needs to be done,” Lucas said of learning from the instructors and veteran classmates like Julian. “That makes it better to understand what we need to do. It makes the class interesting.”
<With exceptional mentorship, modern facilities and a booming job market, TSTC’s HVAC program is actively shaping the workforce that keeps Texas moving forward.
“This is a career builder for a lot of people,” Julian said. “Everyone will need to have a technician work on their unit at some point. If you get your degree from this program, you are going to prosper in the industry.”