Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration
Program description
No matter how bad the economy gets, homeowners and businesses always need technicians trained in Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVAC-R). MCTC provides hands-on learning to prepare you for a high paying career in HVAC-R. Knowledgeable instructors will give you the training you need in an industry that is challenging and fun.
Program start and location
You may only start in the fall semester unless you are a transfer student or have previous experience in the HVAC-R field. The HVAC-R program is located on the main campus in the T Building.
Degree options and requirements
Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration A.A.S. Degree—72 credits
Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Diploma—64 credits
Click here for program and course information.
What you will learn
- MCTC's Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Program will train you to diagnose problems, perform repairs and conduct maintenance on residential and commercial heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC-R) systems.
- You will learn diagnostic and repair procedures for HVAC-R equipment, and will be trained to fabricate sheet metal, copper, plastic and steel piping.
- Experienced instructors will prepare you to work with advanced electrical controls, heat recovery ventilators, air cleaning devices, sophisticated air measurement equipment and carbon monoxide testing instruments.
- You will receive solar energy training in Photovoltaics and Thermal Solar technologies.
Points of pride
- MCTC's HVAC-R program recently received the highest-level accreditation from HVAC Excellence- one of only three programs in the state to receive this status.
- MCTC's HVAC-R program is active in Skills USA and has had many state winners in the HVAC-R competition and one National winner.
- MCTC has a Solar Energy training lab used for Photovoltaic and Thermal solar energy system training in both the HVAC-R and Construction Electricity programs.
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Where you could work
- HVAC residential service companies
- HVACR commercial service companies
- Gas utilities
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Potential job titles
- HVAC Service Technician
- Commercial Refrigeration Service Technician
- HVAC Equipment and Parts Salesperson
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Occupational outlook
People entering the HVAC-R industry are in very high demand, so pay and benefits are excellent. In Minnesota, employment opportunities are expected to increase by 16.2 percent by the year 2019, according to iseek.org. Often companies in this industry provide medical and dental insurance, retirement, paid vacation and sick time, paid advanced training and opportunities to earn overtime pay, and provide a company vehicle.
Beyond-the-classroom opportunities
While in this program, you will have an opportunity to join Sills/USA VICA (Vocational Industrial Clubs of America) a student and alumni association that promotes professional advancement for students in trade, industrial, technical and health education programs by fostering networks among students, alumni, community and local industry.
Academy
This program is part of the Academy of Manufacturing and Building Sciences. Click here for more information.
Articulation Agreements, Common Course Outlines and Gainful Employment Information
Click here for articulation agreement information on the A.A.S. degree.
Click here for articulation agreement information on the Diploma.
Click here for Common Course Outline information.
Click here and here for Gainful Employment information.
Mike Palm
After spending more than two years pursuing a degree in criminal justice, Mike Palm realized law enforcement was not his ideal career choice. Facing two military deployments along his educational journey, he persevered to find his niche in the HVAC-R industry through his studies at MCTC.
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