16-year-old becomes first girl to win Georgia HVAC state title

MARIETTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — Ariela Vega, a junior at the Cobb Innovation and Technology Academy, is the 2026 HVAC state champion.

The 16-year-old outperformed competitors from across Georgia in hands-on HVAC knowledge, technical skill and problem-solving. She is also the first girl to ever win the state title.

“I very much wanted to be a motivation to the youth and anyone who is intimidated to go into these male-dominated fields,” Vega said.

Vega’s win comes as demand for HVAC professionals continues to rise. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expects HVAC careers to grow by 8% through 2034. Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp has also made increasing funding for trade careers a priority.

Vega said she has already received interest from multiple companies looking to hire her while she is still in high school.

The HVAC industry also appears to be largely immune to potential disruption from artificial intelligence. Vega said the hands-on nature of the work makes it difficult to automate.

“AI is not going to get up on a roof and service these units,” she said.

Vega said the profession also often attracts workers later in their careers. At 16, she represents the opposite end of that trend.

“I just really fell in love with the profession,” she said.