WE PAY STUDENTS TO LEARN THE HVAC & PLUMBING TRADES FROM NO EXPERIENCE

The Star Tech Academy Vision

J.R. Elmer, the President of American Vintage Home, wanted to create a training program that would change people’s lives in our community. He saw that the barrier to entry into the HVAC and Plumbing fields was too high while at the same time, there were not enough good technicians to go around. He decided a new approach was necessary to get people with enormous potential into the trades: pay them to learn. With this vision in mind, he created Star Tech Academy.

At Star Tech Academy, students are paid to learn full-time, Monday through Friday, 7:30am – 4pm for six months. We offer one program per year that starts in the fall. Each year, we determine if we are going to have a Plumbing program or an HVAC program depending upon the company’s needs.

Students learn install, service, maintenance skills for both heating and cooling seasons in that six months, as well as interpersonal communication skills. Star Tech Academy is a truly unique opportunity for students to learn HVAC or Plumbing from the ground up while getting paid.

Facility

Star Tech Academy is located at 2124 Ashland Ave, Evanston, IL 60201. It is an entire dedicated building with dozens of air conditioning, furnace, boiler, plumbing, and drain stations for students to disassemble and inspect. We want students to get their hands on as much equipment as possible before they are in the field.

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"We took great care to make an outstanding facility and program. We want to be the best option for introductory HVAC training, without a doubt." - J. R. Elmer President American Vintage Home Heating, Cooling & Plumbing

Our Curriculum

During six months of full-time, dedicated training, students will learn an array of HVAC or Plumbing skills as they complete the curriculum via classroom lessons, hands-on training with equipment, video tutorials, field training, and working directly with the instructor (all while getting paid). They learn install, service, and maintenance skills as they work toward successfully becoming a HVAC and Plumbing service professionals. Furthermore, after graduation from the program in good standing, students have a guaranteed job waiting for them at American Vintage Home.

Classroom
lessons

hands-on
training with equipment

video
tutorials

working
directly with the instructor

All while
getting paid

“The curriculum really connects the dots.”

- Star Tech Academy Student

“I like learning from HVAC techs in the field.”

- Star Tech Academy Student

“This course will give me knowledge I’ll use for the rest of…”

- Star Tech Academy Student

“This course is preparing me to be an awesome technician that is…”

- Star Tech Academy Student

Our Lead Instructor

Cornelius Muszczynski, Lead Instructor at Star Tech Academy, has worked in the HVAC industry for more than 20 years. In that time, he has installed, repaired, and maintained rooftop units, split systems, mini split systems, boilers, steam boilers, HVAC controls, hydronics, radiant heat systems, SpacePak units, geothermal heat pumps, water source heat pumps, and more.

In 2013 Cornelius found his true calling when he began training other technicians in the installation, maintenance, and service of heating and cooling systems. Cornelius’ expansive experience in the industry coupled with his patience and genuine care for others makes him an ideal technical trainer. In 2022, Cornelius helped design and build the Star Tech Academy facility and work stations. His students love him and describe him as helpful, knowledgeable, and approachable.

“The group experience so far has been nothing short of amazing. These students are so appreciative of the opportunity and show up excited and eager to learn. They are working with peers who have the same drive to improve themselves. It is an honor to teach such engaged minds.”

- Cornelius Muszczynski, Lead Instructor