GOLDSBORO, N.C. — Wayne County-based Jackson & Sons Heating and Air Conditioning has been named the business recipient of the prestigious 2011 Distinguished Partners In Excellence Award. Jackson & Sons joins co-recipient Wayne Community College in accepting an award given to only one business and one of the partnering 58 state community colleges annually.
Given by the State Board of Community Colleges, the award recognizes an outstanding company or industry group for partnering with their local community college to improve workforce development and grow the local economy. In addition, groups are recognized for internally continuing the education of their own employees to render them more effective in the field.
Leaders from Wayne Community College joined Jackson & Sons owners, David and Danny Jackson, for an award reception at the Governor’s Mansion in Raleigh, N.C., followed by a ceremony with more than 600 attendees at the McKimmon Center at North Carolina State University on Thursday, April 14. To gain consideration for the award Jackson & Sons was nominated by Wayne Community College for its unwavering dedication to students studying in the HVAC/Refrigeration field as well as other disciplines.
Selection criteria for the Partners In Excellence Award states that a nominee exemplify an active interest in the success of the college and its students in multiple facets — including encouraging and engaging students through classroom discussions, career fair partnerships, and financial support of their endeavors.
Since its founding by Judy and Woodard Jackson in 1974, Jackson & Sons has been a strong partner of the college, providing highly trained staff members to assist in the education of HVAC/R students and providing scholarship money that are given to several outstanding students annually.
Additionally, during each semester, professionals from Jackson & Sons offer first-hand experience to HVAC/R students — allowing them to tour their company facility and warehouse to experience real world applications of the knowledge they gain in the classroom. As the business award recipient, Jackson & Sons Heating and Air Conditioning joins a small group of previous winners throughout the state that includes companies like WakeMed, Bosch and Siemens Home Appliances Corp., and Volvo Construction Equipment.
“This is one of the greatest honors that our company has ever received,” stated Jackson & Sons CFO David Jackson. “Investing in the potential of the highly skilled, highly talented workforce we have right here at home has always been a priority for Jackson & Sons. We know without a doubt that the success of our business has been due in part to the professional, trained individuals we have in our company that have been educated locally in our community college. To Jackson & Sons, giving of our time and our finances to help students here at home is more than just a gift — it is the best investment we can make, and one we will continue to make.”
Related Articles:
Graduation initiative would strengthen college trade programs
Related Articles:
Student program puts prospects in the pipeline