Emmanuel (Manny) Jones is a Residential HVAC technician for Binsky Home Service in the heart of New Jersey. Here’s a look into his journey of how he became a dedicated technician!
Breaking Into The Trades
While Manny wasn’t working in the skilled trades initially, a need for stability led him to try a different path. With a baby on the way and growing financial challenges, he decided to use his long-lasting curiosity about how HVAC systems functioned to shift his career.
“I thought, ‘Why not take a class in AC? AC’s cool and it’s hot out.’ So I took a class, got interested and said, ‘Alright, let’s keep going!’”
Manny first started his journey by enrolling in a course to understand the ins and outs of HVAC. In the state of New Jersey, skilled trades classes are eligible for approved unemployment education, making it a great opportunity for him to get started.
Of course, it isn’t always easy. Manny compares the learning process to tying your shoes — initially you’ll trip and fall while finding it hard to do; but with a bit of perseverance, it becomes second nature. Embracing failures as learning opportunities was a challenging but imperative approach to staying consistent throughout his professional development.
“The hardest thing is consistency. You have to stick with it. You’ve got to stay loyal to your job and not your mood. When you first start you might not be making a lot of money, but slowly you’ll build your way up.”
Support & Success
A big part of Manny’s success was the resources and support he received throughout his journey. While the online resources available to him at the time when he started were limited, the support he received through his company helped build his skills.
At first, Manny was exposed to a broad range of commercial systems — even ice cream trucks! At his current company, Binsky Home Service, he’s surrounded by supportive people that help foster his growth within his role. It’s through this support that he realizes his preference for residential HVAC.
One of Manny’s favorite aspects of working in residential HVAC is the opportunity to meet a wide variety of people. After all, everyone needs a working HVAC system, which makes him feel stable in his career.
“You get to meet anybody from all walks of life; it doesn’t matter what career they have, you get to meet them. And I got to meet some really neat people that I somehow would have never met had I not been in this job. You never know, one day you could end up at the governor’s house!“
Binsky Home Service provided Manny all the resources he needed to be confident whenever he worked in others’ homes. The company encourages their workers to use SkillCat, a tool that he wishes had been available when he first started breaking into the trades. This way, no matter who might be watching or lurking in the corner while he works, he’s well equipped to handle any HVAC-related situation.
“The resources I have now provide a real good indication of what you're running into, especially at homes. Because you’re in their homes, you have to really give residents the best service possible to make them feel comfortable.“
We All Start From Somewhere
“I’m really proud because I was able to pull it off. I had a baby on the way with my wife and we didn’t have any money so I didn’t ever think it was going to work out. But with a little faith and a little bit of hard work… you’d be surprised what could happen.“
Throughout his journey, Manny is proud to have simply made it as an HVAC technician. Despite starting from a point of financial instability and uncertainty, he has found success and takes pride in his ability to provide for his family while contributing to the comfort of countless households.
For those considering a career in HVAC, Manny stresses the importance of surrounding yourself with supportive people. Everyone starts from somewhere, and having people who are willing to help you get started around you will allow you to grow in this rewarding field.
"The people you work with are everything. We all started off not knowing anything, so don’t be discouraged. Learn everything you can and be around good people.“
Manny’s journey from uncertainty to success shows how perseverance, curiosity, and the support of a strong community can transform your life. At the end of the day, you have the power to make that change for yourself!