Career opportunities in the skilled trades

Submitted by Barron Heating AC Electrical & Plumbing.

To draw attention to amazing career opportunities in the skilled trades, Barron Heating AC Electrical & Plumbing is offering two $5,000 scholarships to residents of Skagit, Island, San Juan, Snohomish and Whatcom counties.

“While the average cost of a four-year degree is over $100,000, skilled trades allow students to enter the workforce with little to no student loan debt and begin earning right away — often earning wages that are equal to or far more than those of university grads,” said Brad Barron, Chief Executive Officer for Barron Heating AC Electrical & Plumbing. “Plumbers, electricians, and HVAC technicians are in demand right now. For every five people who leave a position in the trades, just one person enters the field.”

“Many people are often surprised to learn that workers entering the trades are commonly earning as much or more than their peers who’ve received four-year degrees. And the wages of those jobs continue to increase as the shortage of workers grows.”

The Dan L. Barron Trades Scholarship, named after the company founder, aims to provide opportunities to individuals looking to enter the HVAC, electrical, or plumbing trades and begin a successful career journey for themselves and their families. Barron will be providing two $5,000 scholarships to Bellingham Technical College. There is no obligation to future employment with Barron to receive these scholarships.

“Dan L. Barron started Barron Heating 50 years ago with the goal to not only support our community with honest, quality service, but to support our employees and their families with rewarding, lifelong career opportunities,” Brad Barron said. “After Dan’s passing in December of 2018, it has become a priority to continue his legacy and traditions within the company.”

Applications for the Dan L. Barron Trades Scholarship may be submitted at www.barronheating.com/scholarship/ now through Jan. 31.

Committed to improving lives through its licensed technicians, electricians, plumbers and Certified Home Performance Experts, Barron Heating AC Electrical & Plumbing provides a wide range of heating, cooling, solar, electrical, plumbing, and indoor air quality products and services. It also offers a large selection of stoves and fireplaces in its Firelight by Barron showrooms.

Barron Heating AC Electrical & Plumbing has become one of Northwest Washington’s largest and most respected home performance experts with showroom locations in Burlington and Ferndale.

Approximately 215 local employees serve customers along the I-5 corridor from Blaine to Marysville, Oak Harbor to Concrete, as well as the San Juan Islands.

The Burlington showroom is at 560 S. Burlington Blvd., just north of Rio Vista Avenue. For more information, call (360) 424-4962 or visit www.barronheating.com.