ATLANTA — Design Air, a Milwaukee, Wisconsin-based HVAC distributor, in partnership with Rheem Manufacturing, recently donated $100,000 worth of heating and cooling equipment to Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC).

MATC faculty and students, along with representatives from Design Air, Rheem, and Capital Heating, Cooling and Electric, the installation partner, gathered to recognize the donation and the impact the equipment donation will have in training Wisconsin tradespeople.

“Today, we are honored to support the next generation of Milwaukee’s skilled tradespeople to help them learn and grow,” said Jeremy Wiernasz, president of Design Air. “Design Air’s donation of Rheem’s top-tier products further reinforces our commitment to providing the trades in Wisconsin with the best educational resources available.”

“Like MATC, Rheem is deeply committed to investing in the next generation of skilled-trade technicians. It is more important now than ever to find and attract new talent to address the current shortage facing our country,” said Jose De La Portilla, senior manager of education and training at Rheem. “High-quality training is essential for developing a pipeline of skilled technicians who are not only expertly trained but also well-informed about the rewarding career opportunities available to them.”

Capital Heating, Cooling and Electric, a contractor based in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, provided installation labor and additional materials. The HVAC installation was supervised by a MATC graduate.

“I take great pride that an MATC graduate supervised the installation of these units,” said Doni Bartley, HVACR instructor and department chair at MATC. “It’s a testament that the instruction students are receiving will result in careers where they earn family-sustaining wages. This is a proud moment.”