2008 HVACR Educator's and Trainers Conference

Dr. Stanley suggested that all programs receiving Perkins funding take the time to learn about their state’s implementation plan. This is the easiest way to identify your specific requirements.

One key element of her presentation is that Perkins IV requires the use of a third party assessment. The purpose of adopting a third party industry assessment is to have an outside party test students employment ready skills. Perkins IV is all
about accountability.

Dr. Stanley provided a brochure for attendees.  If you have questions about Perkins IV or how HVAC Excellence can assist you with your Perkins compliance, call us toll free at 1-800-394-5268.

United Association Seeks HVAC Excellence Credentials

The United Association has been representing the HVACR industry for 117 years. With over $150 million dollars spent annually on training, its no wonder that HVACR programs have sought to articulate with the UA and their locals for years.

Now there is a signed International articulation agreement  between the UA, its locals and HVAC Excellence accredited programs. Mr. Terrence Urbanek, the assistant director of education for the UA discussed this agreement where students will be guaranteed one year advanced placement within the UA apprenticeship program as a result of their HVAC Excellence credentials.

Mr. Terrence Urbanek, Administrative Assistant to the Director of Training for the United Association

The Articulation Agreement Requires: Graduate from an HVAC Excellence Accredited Program, Pass Six HVAC Excellence Employment Ready Exams; Electrical, Air Conditioning, Electric Heat, Light Commercial Air Conditioning, Light Commercial Refrigeration, and one of three heating exams (Gas, Oil or Heat Pumps) and Have a “C” average or higher.

Federal regulations require the Employment Ready Certification or equivalent for Perkins funding. Accreditation coupled with these exams is the ticket to advanced placement opportunities with the UA, their locals and the thousands of great job opportunities they represent. For additional information on the articulation agreement or programmatic accreditation, contact Tom Tebbe at 877-394-5268.

Employment Outlook for the HVACR Industry

Government Prospective: Richard Holden, Regional Director for the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics presented employment opportunities for the HVACR industry, which jobs will be most prevalent in the years to come, employment projections through 2016 and the industry’s move to more complex energy efficient systems.

The presentation was intended to help educators and trainers understand how to gear their training towards the jobs that be in high demand in the years to come.  Mr. Holden’s full presentation can be downloaded here.

Industry Prospective: Barbara Dolim, Executive Director of the Mechanical Service Contractors of America (MSCA) discussed a new program to recruit the next generation of HVACR Service Technicians.

MSCA is the leading contracting association representing: Johnson Controls, Carrier Commercial, Trane Service, John J. Kirlin, Inc., Murphy Company, J.F. Ahern Co., McKinstry, McKenneys, ACCO Engineered Systems and over 1,200 leading contractors.

These companies offer top salaries, great benefits and excellent career opportunities. In order to recruit and place persons into our industry, MSCA created “Five Star Careers”. The program provides the resources needed to attract and place persons into our industry.

The Five Star website provides information where persons can learn about our industry, request free recruitment brochures and with the click of a button, submit their resume to over 1,200 contractors.

As an added bonus, graduates from HVAC Excellence accredited programs are a top priority for recruitment.  Learn all about the industry job recruitment program at www.5starcareers.com

HCFC Phase Out

Government Prospective: Cindy Newberg, Lead Analyst for Domestic Implementation of the HCFC Phase-out at the United States Environmental Protection Agency provided an in-depth history on the changes to the Montreal Protocol.

Mrs. Newberg discussed the more aggressive phase-out of HCFCs Including R-22, the domestic implementation including new limits on production and import of HCFCs, and what that means for those that service air-conditioning and refrigeration systems.   Download Mrs. Newberg’s presentation “The Next Major Milestone in the HCFC Phase Out", here.  Also available are a EPA Technician Brochure and a EPA Consumer Brochure.

Industry Prospective:  Nick Strickland, the marketing development manager from DuPont ISCEON Refrigerants discussed the actions required to reduce our dependency on HCFC’s and the various options available.

Mr. Strickland stated that DuPont ISCEON Refrigerants is ready to assist all interested parties in transitioning to the next generation of alternative refrigerants through training end education sponsored by DuPont.

Upon completion of his presentation, Mr. Strickland answered questions from the audience. If you have questions on how DuPont can assist you, contact Mr. Strickland at Nick.strickland@usa.dupont.com

Presentations

Joining to Improve HVACR Education