When it comes to keeping Oklahomans cool, DeHart Air Conditioning has turned up the heat on workforce development. Nearly 70 percent of the company’s 25-person service team consists of people who completed heat and air training at Canadian Valley Technology Center.
Among the success stories is Trey Howard, of Chickasha, who completed the program in 2018 and joined DeHart in 2021. Now a licensed journeyman, Howard enjoys the independence that comes with his role and is eager to continue learning.
“I want to keep growing in the HVAC industry as things evolve and equipment gets more complex and efficient,” he said.
DeHart Air Conditioning is a fourth-generation, family-owned business founded in 1920. The company has locations in Chickasha and Duncan.
Co-owner John DeHart said employee recruitment is critical to the company’s sustained success, and he is proud to have develop a strong relationship with the school and in particular with CV Tech HVAC instructor Brad Bute.
“I want people coming here for the long-term and be in it for a career,” he said. “We have had much success with students from Canadian Valley.”
The HVAC industry follows a traditional apprenticeship model, which requires technicians to work for three years under a licensed contractor before advancing. CV Tech completers accelerate the process and need just one year as apprentices before becoming eligible for the journeyman’s license exam.
Starting pay is between $14 and $14.50 per hour, DeHart said, with raises after 60 days and again at the one-year mark. The company also covers the cost of the journeyman’s test and provides employees with tools. Additional benefits include full insurance, paid holidays after 90 days and access to profit-sharing.
Median pay nationwide for HVAC installers with experience is just over $27 per hour (or $57,000 per year), according to information supplied by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Industry growth is projected at 9 percent over the next decade, which is much faster than average when compared to other careers.
Mason Phipps, of Rush Springs, completed his coursework at CV Tech in 2024 and joined DeHart in June as an apprentice technician. He also lists professional growth among his priorities.
“I’m working to get my journeyman, and then I will build my expertise to become the best technician I can be,” Phipps said.
With a commitment to training and investing in skilled professionals, DeHart Air Conditioning is not just keeping homes comfortable—it’s building careers and strengthening the local workforce.
