The Heating, Ventilatiing, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technology curriculum has been designed to prepare students for the wide variety of employment opportunities in the HVAC/R field. These opportunities may include serving people with residential, commercial or industrial needs. An HVAC/R technician’s work is very interesting and challenging because it actually involves many different trades. Technicians may find themselves working on many types of heating and air conditioning systems, refrigeration equipment used in supermarket and convenience stores, and air quality systems used to maintain proper indoor conditions in places such as, hospitals and manufacturing facilities. Technicians will also discover that they work with electricity most of all. This electrical work includes control circuits, schematic diagrams and most of all, problem solving with electrical test equipment.
The HVAC/R program provides training in piping and basic sheet metal fabrication, oil, gas, and electrical heating systems, air conditioning and refrigeration design, installation and service procedures, heat pump systems, building system controls (DDC’s, PLC’s, VFD’s) and a special emphasis on electrical controls, diagrams, meters and troubleshooting. The program also provides training in critical people-skills necessary for success in this field.
Because this program teaches students a broad spectrum of skills, job opportunities are excellent. Graduates may choose to work for shops that specialize in residential installation and service or shops that focus on commercial and industrial accounts. HVAC/R technicians are in high demand and salaries advance rapidly as the graduate gains experience and skill. Job opportunities are available throughout the country, and because of the great demand for people with HVAC/R training, the opportunity for self-employment is also excellent.
