Bradford White Donates Energy Efficient Heat Pump Water Heaters to Training Centers Across California

Bradford White Corporation, an industry-leading American manufacturer of water heaters, boilers and storage tanks, is continuing its commitment to support training the workforce of the future by providing strategic in-kind grant funding to the Center for Employment Training (CET), a national nonprofit technical training school.

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A Center for Employment Training student inspects the new energy efficient heat pump water heater donated by Bradford White Corporation through its signature charitable giving initiative, Industry Forward®. (Photo: Business Wire)

The grant, which stems from Bradford White’s signature charitable giving initiative, Industry Forward®, includes the purchase of nine 50-gallon AeroTherm® heat pump water heaters, which will be used at nine CET training centers across northern and southern California for their training programs.

Additionally, as part of this workforce education grant, Bradford White training experts will lend their expertise throughout the year to CET students by providing in-person and online training to further advance their knowledge and allow them to be prepared for future conversions to this energy-efficient technology in California.

“At Bradford White, we are committed to partnering with organizations that are strengthening our communities and supporting the workforce of the future by helping to create a skilled trades talent pipeline right here in the United States,” said Rebecca Owens, senior manager of communications for Bradford White. “Through Industry Forward®, we are providing these heat pump water heaters and offering CET students new opportunities to gain critical skills in heat pump technology and increase their knowledge through hands-on, real-world learning so they are prepared to compete for good-paying jobs.”

This grant will allow CET to expand its training program capacity as it grows programs in high-demand, high-paying careers to provide economic advancement opportunities to populations that have been marginalized and overlooked.

“Thanks to the generosity of Bradford White, we can offer essential training in heat pump technology, which offers incredible promise in the energy efficiency arena,” said Senobio Aguilera Instructional Resource Coordinator and Trainer with CET. “This donation will empower our students to acquire key skills using the latest industry-relevant equipment and enhance their competitiveness in the workforce upon graduation.”

The heat pumps will be placed at nine of CET’s schools in California: Coachella, Colton, El Centro, Oxnard, San Diego, San Jose, Santa Maria, Soledad and Watsonville. At these sites, students will learn safety, basic electricity, equipment and plumbing/HVAC maintenance, repair and more.

Bradford White partners with nonprofit organizations and technical schools to educate individuals and families on the importance of the skilled trades and the role that industry professionals provide in the health, safety, sanitation and infrastructure of their communities through strategic grant funding, which supports workforce development training and education programs and industry career opportunities, events and partnerships.

For more information about Bradford White Corporation’s Industry Forward® initiative, visit bradfordwhitecorporation.com/giving.

About Bradford White Corporation

Bradford White Corp. is a full-line manufacturer of residential, commercial and industrial water heating, space heating, combination heating and storage products. The company maintains headquarters in Ambler, Pennsylvania, and has manufacturing facilities in Middleville, Michigan; Niles, Michigan and Rochester, New Hampshire and distribution and training centers in Halton Hills, Ontario, Canada. For more information, visit www.bradfordwhitecorporation.com.

About Industry Forward ®

Industry Forward® is Bradford White’s signature charitable giving program. Through this initiative, the company provides grants to eligible organizations to advance public awareness of the importance and value of the Plumbing and HVAC industry including skilled trades, manufacturing and distribution. By aligning resources and investing in key programs, Bradford White is making a positive impact in communities to help build a stronger and sustainable future for all.

About Center for Employment Training

CET is a non-profit technical training school founded in 1967 in Santa Clara County. It was based on a need to bridge the gap between the vast number of unemployed and working poor, who were primarily displaced farm workers at the time. Originally located in the East Side's Sal Si Puedes (Get Out If You Can) Barrio of San Jose, the program, known back then as OIC-CET, began as a small operation in the back of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church—a center for advocacy, volunteerism and social justice in the 1960s. From these humble beginnings, CET has grown into a nationwide non-profit organization with 12 training centers.

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