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Cleburne, Texas — June 10, 2015 — The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that job growth for technicians in the heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVACR) industry will increase by 21 percent, nearly double the average growth for their projection of all occupations (2012 through 2022).
Against this statistical backdrop, Hill College, serving Hill, Johnson, Bosque and Somervell counties, and Trane, a leading global provider of indoor comfort solutions and services, held a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the school's Cleburne Technical Center to unveil the historic Walls building, which will house spaces for new laboratory facilities. The new HVAC labs, at 319 E. Henderson St. in Cleburne, will help prepare students to meet the need for skilled technicians.
“Hill College is committed to preparing our students to successfully compete for jobs while providing qualified technicians to fill our community’s business needs,” said Dr. Pamela Boehm, president of Hill College. “We are excited to introduce the spaces for these new cutting-edge laboratories and updated curriculum which will allow our students to learn using the latest in innovative HVAC solutions and controls.”
Filling the talent pipeline with highly skilled technicians who understand the latest systems and controls is critical to maintaining and optimizing HVACR systems. These systems play an important role in energy efficiency, sustainability, and building operations, which can significantly impact the bottom line. According to Energy Star, energy is the largest single operating expense for most buildings, accounting for about one-third of a typical facility’s operating budget.
Leaders from Trane and Hill College designed the new facilities in collaboration with the National Coalition of Certification Centers (NC3). NC3 is a nonprofit organization which develops, implements, and sustains industry-recognized certifications.
Graduates of the Hill College technician program will receive their final certification from NC3.
Trane, Hill College and NC3 leaders worked hand-in-hand on the college’s HVAC program to ensure that it meets the latest industry-required levels. NC3 also is training the educators who will teach the curriculum offered in the new laboratories.
The three new 3,000-square-foot laboratories on campus will feature the latest HVAC solutions and controls to enable Hill College to achieve its goal of advancing career and technical training by offering state-of-the-art working HVAC labs to improve desired outcomes for graduates.
HVAC classes are expected to begin in the fall of 2016 at the Cleburne campus. Each of the three laboratories will offer a different training environment, including residential HVAC, light commercial HVAC, and building controls.
Trane is donating two water-source heat pumps to the new residential laboratory. The pumps, featuring variable speed drives and fans, represent leading-edge technology which enables students to learn using some of the latest HVAC solutions.
Trane is a brand of Ingersoll Rand. For more information, visit trane.com.
