Transition to Trades, an approved Career Skills Program (CSP) developed by
Hiller Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electrical and U.S. Army Garrison, Fort
Campbell, announces national expansion of career placement nationally and
receives recognition in U.S. Congress for its dedication to serving veterans.
Transition to Trades, launched on July 5, 2016, allows separating soldiers the
opportunity to attend Total Tech trade school (a subsidiary of Hiller, LLC) to learn
valuable technical career skills while remaining active duty in the U.S. Army.
Total Tech offers a unique approach to technician training through classroom and
hands-on laboratory instruction in a 15,000 square foot, state-of-the-art facility.
As part of the program, students are guaranteed an employment interview at a
Hiller branch location of their choosing. Soldiers desiring to return to their
hometowns are provided key industry contact information to aid in employment
searches in those respective areas.
Since its inception, Transition to Trades has proudly graduated 156 members
from the HVAC, Electrical, and Plumbing trades. Of those graduates,103 soldiers
are now employed full-time in the industry, while 23 have reenlisted or gone back
to further their education.
Transition to Trades, through its partnerships with PRAXIS S-10 and
PriceFixer.com, a national success college and network for contractors, has now
expanded to include placement opportunities with over 150 contractors across
the United States. With new Army Permissive TDY (Temporary Duty) regulations,
soldiers are now permitted to move between the states to attend CSP programs,
like Transition to Trades. To accommodate these additional soldiers, the program
has plans to expand its trade school significantly over the next year. These
changes will allow soldiers from across the United States to participate in the
program and relocate to nearly any area of their choosing for full-time
employment upon their graduation.
The fourth graduation ceremony, held on Thursday, August 10 in the Army
Education Center at U.S. Army Garrison Fort Campbell, KY, marked the
completion of the May, June, and July classes for the Plumbing, HVAC, and
Electrical trades. The transitioning soldiers were awarded graduation certificates
in front of an audience of peers, family, members of the Army, associates from
Hiller LLC and Total Tech LLC, government representatives, and the press.
In a welcome letter, Tennessee State Governor Bill Haslam congratulating the
programâs dedication to continued success for veterans. During the ceremony,
Terry Nicholson, CEO of PRAXIS S-10, a national success college for
contractors, presented a special award to Teresa K. English and pledged fulltime
employment opportunities to every program graduate. Additionally, a
representative from U.S. Congressman Marsha Blackburnâs office awarded
Transition to Trades members congressional record certificates to commend the
programâs dedication to serving veterans.
âToday, I would like to recognize and honor Hiller Plumbing, Heating, Cooling, &
Electrical, Total Tech School, PRAXIS S-10, and the U.S. Army Career Skills
Programs for their continual efforts to end veteran unemployment in our region,â
stated U.S. Congressman Marsha Blackburn in a statement to Congress. âThey
have helped more than 150 soldiers stay safe, gain an income, and acquire
insuranceâ, she continued, âThis is life changing for military families and our
communityâ.
The graduationâs keynote speakers included Jimmy Hiller, founder and CEO of
Hiller Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electrical, Col. Joseph Kuchan, Commander,
United States Army Garrison, Fort Campbell, Kentucky, and Don Miller,
Institutional Director of Total Tech, LLC. In addition, student speakers and
graduates SGM Bryan Witzel and SSG John Wilkerson and Career Skills
Program Coordinator for U.S. Army Garrison, Fort Campbell, Teresa K. English,
addressed the audience.
During his remarks to the crowd, program graduate Sergeant Major Bryan K.
Witzel described the uncertainty and stress many soldiers face during transitional
periods and how the Transition to Trades program offered solace and stability for
his family.
âThe military transition assistance program is good, however, the enduring
support of the civilian community and businesses that is what makes these
programs great,â remarked Witzel. âThe Hiller and Total Tech teams take great
strides to provide personalized assistance to each personâ, he continued, âand I
am proud to tell you that because of that assistance, I chose a new career that
provides stability and security for me and my familyâ.
Not only are these deserving veterans receiving full-time employment
opportunities, but they are truly thriving in these roles as a result of the strong
values and work ethic instilled upon them during their service in the Army.
âMany Transition to Trades graduates are now working with us at Hillerâ,
remarked Jimmy Hiller, founder and CEO of Hiller Plumbing, Heating, Cooling &
Electrical. âTheir professionalism, dedication to the pursuit of excellence, and
integrity have already proven them to be valuable assets to our teams across the
region,â he continued. âI am so thankful for these talented men and women, and I
can only imagine that other employers will share in this gratitude.â
Transition to Trades is an approved program developed by Hiller Plumbing,
Heating, Cooling, and Electrical and the U.S. Army Garrison, Fort Campbell, to
train transitioning active duty military service members for new civilian careers as
plumbers, electricians, and HVAC service technicians. For more information
about the program, visit http://www.transitiontotrades.com or e-mail
[email protected]
Hiller Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electrical, provides residential and
commercial service and repair throughout Tennessee, Southern Kentucky, and
Northern Alabama. As the homeownerâs premier provider of choice with a 100%
satisfaction guarantee, Hiller is Tennesseeâs largest residential plumbing,
heating, air conditioning, and electrical services provider. Hiller, recently named
the fifth fastest-growing private company in Middle Tennessee and âBest in
Businessâ from the Nashville Business Journal, employs more than 600
associates, boasts a fleet of 470 âhappy faceâ trucks across 13 locations, and
has responded to over 1.4 million service calls. For more information about Hiller,
visit http://www.happyhiller.com or e-mail [email protected].
