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    Steve Scarbrough, Senior Vice President, Air Conditioning Technologies for LG Electronics, USA, speaks to guests during the opening of the newest LG Academy in Boston, MA.
    1. Manufacturer News

    LG Academy Shoulders Heavy Role in Worldwide HVAC Training; Dedicates New Boston Academy

    June 13, 2024
    The LG Academy enhances the skill-and knowledge-base of local technicians, equipping them with the ability to ensure the optimal set-up and performance of the company's advanced HVAC solutions.

    Advanced Training Programs and Customer Engagement Are Driving LG's Expansion and Strong Performance in the Global HVAC Market

    SEOUL, South Korea, June 13, 2024  LG Electronics reported today that its Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Academy is reinforcing the company's human resources infrastructure by training over 30,000 HVAC professionals annually. By building such a large network of skilled installation and service engineers, the academy is playing an important role in supporting the company's global B2B expansion strategy, sources said.

    LG
    Steve Scarbrough, Senior Vice President, Air Conditioning Technologies for LG Electronics, USA, speaks to guests during the opening of the newest LG Academy in Boston, MA.
    Steve Scarbrough, Senior Vice President, Air Conditioning Technologies for LG Electronics, USA, speaks to guests during the opening of the newest LG Academy in Boston, MA.

    Commitment to training at this level represents a vast responsibility, given the continued development of, and efficiency requirements imposed upon heating and cooling products, and the many applications of those residential and commercial comfort products, which includes LG's high-efficiency chillers. 

    The academy enhances the skill-and knowledge-base of local technicians, equipping them with the ability to ensure the optimal set-up and performance of the company's advanced HVAC solutions – which is crucial in delivering the differentiated customer experiences LG seeks to uphold.

    LG
    LG Electronics’ (LG) Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Academy in Boston, MA. The LG HVAC Academy operates in more than 60 locations worldwide, providing comprehensive training on installing and maintaining LG’s residential and commercial HVAC systems, including its high-efficiency chillers.
    LG Electronics’ (LG) Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Academy in Boston, MA. The LG HVAC Academy operates in more than 60 locations worldwide, providing comprehensive training on installing and maintaining LG’s residential and commercial HVAC systems, including its high-efficiency chillers.

    Sources for the LG HVAC Academy estimate it will provide training to approximately 37,000 individuals in 2024. Each branch of the academy features integrated showrooms and training rooms where attendees can gain hands-on experience with the company's business-to-consumer and business-to-business products. Along with product installation and maintenance training, LG's academy introduces the company's new HVAC solutions and offers specialized regional training programs, technical forums and customized on-site classes at clients' offices. 

    LG is addressing the need to fill any resource gaps that could adversely affect its training outreach. For example, in May, 2023, LG Electronics dedicated a new, state-of-the-art training academy in Englewood Cliffs, NJ at LG Electronics North American Headquarters.

    More recently, in May of this year, LG Air Conditioning Technologies USA opened the doors of its newest HVAC Training Academy outside of Boston. The new facility underscores LG's commitment to increasing adoption of more sustainable HVAC products across the residential and commercial sectors (SEE SIDEBAR BELOW).

    LG Academy training goes beyond teaching basic "step 1, 2, 3" processes. LG’s comprehensive training program offers practical instruction for LG's inventive, all-electric, energy-efficient comfort solutions for residential and commercial applications.

    Academy courses include classroom lectures and a hands-on laboratory designed to educate HVAC professionals about LG’s HVAC products, including technical training on installation and service.

    Expert LG instructors, with extensive experience installing and troubleshooting an array of air-conditioning products, teach classes across a variety of subject areas, including duct-free, VRF, and controls solutions, with topics covering everything from installation to service best practices for the full range of LG air solutions products.

    The new academy will help educate experienced third-party contractors about the environmental and economic benefits of heat pump technology, including LG’s popular cold-climate heat-pump home comfort systems.

    Training Around the Globe

    On an international level, in April, the LG HVAC Academy hosted a five-day "Train The Trainer" program at LG headquarters in Seoul, South Korea. The program was designed to further HVAC trainers' capabilities, giving them the tools to adapt to changes in customer engagement, as well as the valuable opportunity to exchange ideas and experiences with their peers from different regions and subsidiaries.

    LG is also expanding its region-specific programs with events such as last month's LG HVAC Consultant Leaders' Summit in Seoul for technical consultants from across Asia. The company is continuously adding to its existing HVAC Academy infrastructure, and is set to open a new branch in Lyon (France) by the end of this year. Notable recent additions to the network include sites in Boston (USA), Taipei (Taiwan), Chennai (India) and Kolkata (India).

    AI an Added Element

    LG sources report that, with the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), there is a growing need for high-efficiency, high-performance cooling systems, especially in data centers and semiconductor plants where effective heat management is essential for maintaining server efficiency. LG is targeting continuing growth in the global HVAC market – which had an estimated value of approximately USD 58.4 billion in 2023* – with its high-efficiency heat pump HVAC systems, which have been designed with the latest electrification and environmental trends in mind. Moreover, the company aims to more than double the revenue generated by its residential and commercial HVAC business by 2030 and reinforce its position as a worldwide leader in air conditioning.

    "The LG HVAC Academy plays a key role in enhancing the capabilities of engineers in each region," said James Lee, head of the Air Solution Business Unit at LG Electronics Home Appliance & Air Solution Company. "We will continue to increase customer engagement to deliver more value and drive our global HVAC business forward."

    *According to market research company IBIS World, the estimated value of the global HVAC market as of 2023 was approximately USD 58.4 billion.

     

     

     

    LG OPENS BOSTON HVAC TRAINING ACADEMY 

    Facility Will Empower New England Professionals Through Hands-On Training with Advanced All-Electric HVAC Systems, Paving Way for Decarbonization

    BOSTON, May 16, 2024 -- LG Air Conditioning Technologies USA, a leader in the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning industry, has opened the doors of its newest HVAC Training Academy outside of Boston. The new facility underscores LG's commitment to increasing adoption of more sustainable HVAC products across the residential and commercial sectors.

    The latest of five Training Academies across the country, the Massachusetts facility will provide immersive lectures and hands-on lab experiences led by LG's seasoned instructors. This includes in-depth training on LG's heat pump technologies, such as the Inverter Heat Pump Water Heater and R32 Monobloc Air-to-Water Heat Pump.

    "Heat pump technology will be a key driver of building decarbonization, and contractor training is critical to making this market transformation a reality," said Steve Scarbrough, senior vice president and general manager of LG Air Conditioning Technologies, LG Electronics USA. "It was important for our latest academy to be in Massachusetts to support the state's new heat pump adoption goals and help homeowners and building managers reap the benefits of robust incentive programs like Mass Save, even during the hottest summers and coldest winters."

    The Boston-area facility will serve as a hub for industry trade professionals across New England to learn about the latest HVAC technologies available, sharpen their installation and maintenance skills, and ultimately deliver better product recommendations and services to their customers. The facility is scheduled to host thousands of training courses in its first year, guiding professionals through a spectrum of topics, spanning both the residential and commercial sectors, including installation, software evaluation, and best practices for servicing LG air solutions products. The courses are designed to cover technical installation and service training, with an emphasis on ducted and duct-free, VRF, heat pump water heater and control solutions.

    Recognizing the industry's demand for more proficient specialists, LG is investing in further developing academies across the country to help bring training to an increasing number of professionals throughout the United States, elevating the education of the upcoming wave of contractors while empowering existing experts to hone their skills and deepen their knowledge of new HVAC technologies. This also includes 59 associate academies across the country and online training offerings for professionals who are unable to attend in person.

    The academy's onsite lab will feature a range of LG heat pump products, including the Air-to-Water Heat Pump and ArtCool Mirror; several Multi V™ commercial air- and water-cooled outdoor units and a variety of indoor units, such as the High Temperature Hydro Kit; the Split Compact M3 dedicated outdoor air system (DOAS); Multi-Position Vertical Air Handling Unit (AHU) and other ENERGY STAR® certified systems. LG's Energy Storage System equipment is also included in the training curriculum.

    LG's residential Home 8 ESS is a next-generation, all-in-one solution that enables homeowners to manage energy, provide backup power, and reduce dependence on the electric grid. The Home 8 ESS can be incorporated into a complete smart home environment with LG appliances and HVAC systems and can be managed by LG's ThinQ monitoring and control app to delegate how, where and when the unit is used to maximize energy efficiency.

    The academy plans to evolve over the year, offering further training courses based on the changing industry landscape, new product solutions, and the needs of distributor associates and contractors. Amenities at the facility include meeting rooms, a gym, a café, an auditorium, and a conference room.

    LG's latest HVAC Training Academy, located at One Research Drive, Suite 110B, Westborough, Mass., was officially unveiled on May 15, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by dozens of local industry leaders and professionals.

    The Boston facility joins four other LG Training Academies located in Dallas; New Jersey; Orange County, Calif.; and Alpharetta, Ga.  As an ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year and a proud member of the Building Decarbonization Coalition, LG views contractor education generally and these academies specifically as keys to the electrification movement in the United States.

    About the Author

    Terry McIver | Content Director - CB

    A career publishing professional, Terence 'Terry' McIver has served three diverse industry publications in varying degrees of responsibility since 1987, and worked in marketing communications for a major U.S. corporation.He joined the staff of Contracting Business magazine in April 2005.

    As director of content for Contracting Business, he produces daily content and feature articles for CB's 38,000 print subscribers and many more Internet visitors. He has written hundreds, if not two or three, pieces of news, features and contractor profile articles for CB's audience of quality HVACR contractors. He can also be found covering HVACR industry events or visiting with manufacturers and contractors. He also has significant experience in trade show planning.