United States. The National Association of Plumbing, Heating and Refrigeration Contractors (PHCC) Educational Foundation has bolstered its online training program with new courses designed to improve the skills of HVAC/R professionals at all levels.
The update, which will be delivered through the PHCC Academy platform, responds to the growing demand for flexible and specialized training in a sector facing a shortage of skilled workers. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), approximately 42,500 jobs are created for HVAC/R professionals each year, while the number of working technicians has declined by more than 50% over the past decade.
"As the industry is going through transformative change, our primary goal is to prepare new generations of HVAC/R technicians and experienced professionals on how to work with emerging smart technologies and energy efficiency solutions so they can easily and efficiently solve real-world problems in the field," said Dan Quinonez, Director of the Advancement of Technology, Dan Quinonez, Director of the Advancement of the Labor Industry. executive director of the PHCC Educational Foundation.
Courses range from heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration fundamentals to advanced training in installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of intelligent systems and indoor air quality (IAQ) solutions. In addition, the academic offer includes training in business administration and sales to improve business management in the sector.
The curriculum, developed by licensed contractors and Ph.D. experts, meets the U.S. Department of Labor's requirements for Related Technical Instruction (RTI). The apprenticeship programs last four years and allow students to progress at their own pace, with an annual cost ranging from $2,000 to $2,500, depending on the certification required in each state.
Enrollment in PHCC Academy's HVAC/R courses has increased 1,984% over the past five years, a growth the Foundation hopes to sustain as more professionals seek training in an ever-evolving work environment.
