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"EOB students are well prepared for the trade, in the technical areas, as well as in English, writing, and math skills," says Eric D’Eramo, president, Connecticut Heating Cooling Contractors Association.

"They have a passion for the trade. The industry has had a brain drain, as older workers retire, and we need to transfer HVAC knowledge effectively to young technicians," he says.

Reaching Today's Students for HVAC
HVAC has existed as more of a "hidden" career choice, and for the industry to grow the ranks, more work is required.

"Not too many kids come into the school saying they want to be an HVAC technician," Belade admits. "That's where the exploratory program works. They come through and see what we're all about. They see a video about the trade, and its different aspects, such as oil heat, gas, air conditioning, ductwork, and sheet metal fabrication. I think they like to see the full gamut of what can be done."

Mark Belade, Domenic Lemma, and Emett O'Brien Technical College are models of "what can be done" with the students of today, when you explain what HVAC is all about, inspire them with a vision of future accomplishments, and make learning relevant and worthwhile.

Technical College Uses CD-rom Training

Jeff Taylor, lead HVAC instructor at Mayfield College, Cathedral City, CA, works with students who are being retrained from other trades that have gone south, and military veterans. The program lasts nine months, with one month of an “externship,” which is working for a local employer. Students must work 180 hours for an HVAC company before earning a certificate. Mayfield College’s HVAC program is one year old.

Taylor attributes part of the vocational technical school’s success to the progressive use of interactive CD-rom training and testing.

"With electronic learning and testing, we now know the interactive CD-rom approach directs students to areas needing improvement," Taylor says. "In the 'study' mode, for example, incorrect answers automatically take students to the appropriate section for additional studying." Only students scoring 90% or higher on practice test questions are eligible to take the final online certification test, which Taylor proctors.

Students are EPA trained with the Qwik608™ Pack by Mainstream Engineering, Rockledge, FL — described by sources as the HVAC industry's only interactive CD-rom—accompanied by a 12-page self-study booklet, and proctored certification. EPA test graduates can easily explain the principles of superheat and sub-cooling and demonstrate how to get accurate gauge readings. The CD-rom takes students beyond EPA certification and includes optional training in "Indoor Air Quality," "Preventive Maintenance Technology." "R-410A", and "Green HVACR." mainstream-engr.com