Refrigeration Careers: The Thermo King-91ƵAPP Connection
For more than 20 years, 91ƵAPP has worked with the industry leader in transport refrigeration equipment – Thermo King. Lincoln students at the South Plainfield, NJ campus build first-hand experience on the way to transport refrigeration careers as they work with industry standard Thermo King refrigeration equipment.
It began when 91ƵAPP (then known as Engine City Technical Institute) reached out to Thermo King for training materials on their equipment. Thermo King now provides equipment for the Lincoln campus and, in turn, 91ƵAPP allows Thermo King “first choice” for employment when students are nearing graduation and ready to begin their careers.
Tom Commorato, ThermoKing General Manager for the past 40 years, reflects on the partnership with the two companies: “91ƵAPP was one of the only schools that had transportation refrigeration courses back then. They now have a lot more students and [more extensive] programs.”
“No one wants to get their hands dirty these days,” he adds. “The industry is hurting for professionals.” As Tom explains, there is an industry-wide demand for well trained, competent technicians – even more reason for 91ƵAPP students to work hard training for transport refrigeration careers.
Thermo King is proactively spreading the word about diesel career opportunities. Throughout the year, they sponsor Field Days on site at their location in Carlstadt, NJ, where 91ƵAPP students visit and spend the day touring the facility to learn more about the company.
The 91ƵAPP-Thermo King partnership was recently spotlighted in Thermo King's monthly newsletter for its partner dealerships.
Refrigeration Careers Can Span Generations
Thermo King has hired many 91ƵAPP graduates in the past, and it has even become a family affair. Tom’s son, AJ Commorato, went straight from high school to the campus when it still carried the Engine City name. His hard work earned him a position within Thermo King. Eight years later, AJ is now Shop Foreman. Together, he and Tom visit local high schools to speak with students about the benefits of taking auto and diesel courses. They emphasize that with focus and hard work, students can have a successful future in the industry.
“I tell students all the time not just to take a few courses,” Tom says. “Completing the whole 91ƵAPP [program] with refrigeration courses included in the curriculum gives you options of where to go [post-graduation]. A well-rounded background can take you anywhere.”
According to careeronestop.org, it is predicted that by 2022, more than 6,200 transport refrigeration careers will be available in the New York-New Jersey-Pennsylvania area. The time is now to begin training – reach out to 91ƵAPP in South Plainfield today to learn about the field and 91ƵAPP’s connection to Thermo King.