STCC facilities workers awarded certificates at State House ceremony
STCC HVAC Department workers hold their certificates. From left, Stephen Grader, Andrew Durand, Zosimo Torres and Gilbert Ocasio.
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Four Springfield Technical Community College facilities workers recently earned certificates after completing safety and new technology training session webinars which prepare them to maintain and repair state-of-the-art heating and air conditioning systems.
The certificates were awarded to HVAC department workers Gilbert Ocasio, utility plant operator, and HVAC refrigeration mechanics Zosimo Torres, Andrew Durand and Stephen Grader.
Three of the men attended a commencement ceremony at the State House in Boston on Nov. 4. One stayed on campus to handle any potential heating, ventilation or air conditioning issues.
We’re really pleased to see the entire team at STCC take advantage of the programs being offered. We congratulate the recent graduates and the facilities team at the college.Commissioner Carol Gladstone, Division of Capital Asset Management & Maintenance
Commissioner Carol Gladstone of the state Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance (DCAMM) and Michael J. Heffernan, secretary of the Executive Office for Administration and Finance, awarded certificates during the ceremony.
“We’re really pleased to see the entire team at STCC take advantage of the programs being offered. We congratulate the recent graduates and the facilities team at the college,” Gladstone said.
Maureen Socha, assistant vice president of Administration and Facilities at STCC, congratulated the four employees for their effort. They completed about 15 hours of training to earn the certificates.
“Congratulations to our dedicated staff in the HVAC department,” Socha said. “They work hard day in and day out. They’re on the front lines taking care of preventative maintenance and addressing any unexpected issues that come up. I’m proud of them for taking the time to enhance their skills.”
Socha said the certification will prove helpful as the college gets ready to open the Ira H. Rubenzahl Student Learning Commons, also known as Building 19. The historic building, which has undergone a renovation, will use energy-efficient heating and air conditioning systems.
“This certification is important as we get ready for the technology coming in for Building 19,” Socha said. “It not only helps them get ready for that technology, but the training is a terrific educational opportunity. It keeps everybody fresh.”
Two of the awardees, Torres and Durand, are graduates of STCC’s HVAC program.
The Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance created “MAFMA University” to offer training sessions for workers from 16 different agencies, campuses and courthouses. The state awarded certificates to 54 Massachusetts Facilities Management Association (MAFMA) members.
MAFMA University offers a curriculum of subjects that cover the “best practices” on facility operations and maintenance, according to its website. The training programs provide an opportunity for state facilities workers who are MAFMA members to hone their skills at no charge.
About Springfield Technical Community College
Founded in 1967 and located on 35 acres of the Springfield Armory National Historic Site, STCC is a major resource for the economic vitality of Western Massachusetts. As the only technical community college in Massachusetts, STCC, a designated Hispanic Serving Institution and an Achieving the Dream Leader College, offers a variety of career programs unequalled in the state. STCC’s highly regarded transfer programs in business, engineering, liberal arts, science and technology continue to provide the most economical options for students pursuing a four-year degree. With an annual enrollment of more than 7,400 day, evening, weekend and online students, STCC is a vibrant campus rich in diversity.
For more information about STCC, visit www.stcc.edu. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter (@S_T_C_C) and Instagram (@stccpics).
MEDIA CONTACT:
Jim Danko, (413) 755-4812, jdanko@stcc.edu