Meet Dereck Granados: HVACR Guru and Mentor Extraordinaire at UTI

Dereck Granados’ journey started in 2015 when he first dipped his toes into the HVAC world. Fast forward almost a decade, and he’s now sharing his expertise with students at UTI.¹

“I decided to take upon myself to start teaching these kids what they need to know as they get into the HVAC field,” he proudly shares.

Certification Test Prep: It Matters

One of Dereck’s core messages? The importance of certifications. He’s all about setting his students up for success in the job market.

“When an employer wants to hire you, you want to be able to tell them what you can do,” he explains. “Going through those certifications will help them to identify that they're hiring a technician.”

Mixing Theory with Hands-On Fun

Although preparing to test for certifications is a bit part of Dereck’s philosophy, learning from him isn’t just about sitting through PowerPoints. It’s a dynamic mix of theory and hands-on practice.

Dereck’s pride in UTI’s HVACR Technician program shines through every word. Why?

“You should consider the HVAC program at UTI because we deliver (test preparation for) three certifications,” he says. With those certifications, “You’ll understand electricity, learn refrigeration and you learn commercial HVAC refrigeration.”

Mentor, Counselor, Instructor – Dereck Wears Many Hats

“So, my relationship with my students is I'm their mentor, I'm their counselor, I am their instructor. I am trying to make sure that they do it right every time, but at the same time give that positive reinforcement that a student needs because they're not going to know everything when they first walk into the building.”

Passing the Torch to the Next Generation

For Dereck, teaching is more than a job. It’s a calling. As he tells us, he’s a mentor, counselor and cheerleader all rolled into one.

Most importantly, Dereck is all about passing on his knowledge to the next generation.

“It means a lot to me to pass on my information to the next generation,” he says. “When I was taught, I felt the comfort of knowing that I could always call somebody to help me through something. So, when I see students, I see opportunities. And in HVAC, that's all we need is new techs.”

If you’re looking for a program that combines expertise, hands-on learning and a mentor who genuinely cares, UTI’s HVACR Technician program is the place to be. To explore our HVACR program and locations offered, check out our Programs page.