Thanks to a donation from the Washington-Beaufort County Board of Realtors to the Beaufort County Community College Foundation, students interested in trades related to housing, including HVAC technician and residential wiring, will have new access to classes. The Board of Realtors wanted to help new technicians to get into the field as these positions are in high demand. The $500 donation is available to cover fees and textbooks.

“We held a crappy fishing tournament to raise the funds because we see the need for more technicians constantly,” said realtor Natalie Edwards. Seven boats participated in spite of cold and rainy weather. A resurgence in the housing market has meant that plumbers, electricians, and HVAC technicians are needed to inspect, repair, renovate, and install systems into new and existing housing. The need for such technicians is not new, as many retired or left the field during the housing market crash in 2008. The disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic only worsened this shortage. This shortage combined with supply chain disruptions has meant that new construction and repairs on existing housing is backlogged.