El Paso Students Get $172K for HVAC Training
Five local students will have full tuition covered for HVAC career training through a Tropicana Companies and Western Technical College partnership.
Updated on Nov. 1, 2026 in Scholarships
Tropicana Companies has awarded five El Paso students scholarships totaling $172,085 to fund full tuition for HVAC career training through a partnership with Western Technical College. Students in El Paso who are interested in skilled trades can look to this program as one option for funding technical training.
Why it matters
The scholarships reduce the upfront cost of a technical credential for local students, which can matter for those weighing a shorter, skills-focused path against a traditional degree. The program was described as designed to help residents gain technical skills, pursue rewarding careers, and build financial stability.
Five El Paso students received scholarships totaling $172,085 for full tuition in HVAC career training. The program has awarded 12 scholarships since it launched in 2022, with a combined value exceeding $348,000.
The players
Tropicana Companies
A business that funds the scholarship program in partnership with a technical college.
Western Technical College
The technical college that partners with Tropicana Companies to deliver the HVAC training funded by the scholarships.
The details
Tropicana Companies funds the scholarships in partnership with Western Technical College, and the awards cover full tuition for students enrolled in its HVAC program. The program launched in 2022 and has grown each year, with this year's cohort of five marking the largest group awarded in a single year. Students interested in applying should contact Western Technical College or Tropicana Companies directly for current eligibility requirements and deadlines.
Timeline
• The scholarship program launched in 2022.
• Five El Paso students were awarded scholarships on November 1, 2026.
Education Landscape
Employer-funded scholarships for skilled trades are one way students can reduce the cost of short technical programs compared with longer degree paths. This El Paso partnership adds to a trend of targeted funding for hands-on career training.
If you are considering HVAC or another skilled trade, ask your prospective school's financial-aid office which employer-sponsored and partner scholarships it knows of and what their deadlines are. Applying early and confirming eligibility with the school is the most reliable next step.
The takeaway
Employer partnerships with technical colleges are creating funded paths into skilled trades for local students. Before enrolling, confirm scholarship eligibility and deadlines directly with the school's financial-aid office.
Further reading
For more on how students find funding like this, explore our Scholarships coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KTSM 9 News.
