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Lincoln’s Role in Training New HVAC Technicians for Growing Field

Whether it's summer, winter or somewhere in between, people tend to seek shelter to get away from the elements. When the sun is beating down and you need to escape the oppressive humidity, a cool air-conditioned room feels like a little slice of heaven. And when the wind is whipping snow all around in frigid temps, there’s nothing better than defrosting in a warm and cozy room. When you're seeking shelter indoors, that reprieve from the hot, cold and wet elements is made possible by proper ventilation and temperature control.

Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) technology is responsible for making indoor environments comfortable. From small homes to the largest skyscrapers, every structure can use an HVAC system to improve its indoor air quality. While these systems serve a great purpose, they also consume energy. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, HVAC systems are the largest energy consumer in school buildings. With improved Green Technology, HVAC systems are becoming more sustainable and practical. By using solar thermal and geothermal technologies, a new door has been opened to great opportunities for those in the HVAC field. Joe Bellucci is the Education Supervisor of the Air Conditioning, Refrigeration & Heating Technology (HVAC) program at the Union, New Jersey campus where the green technology is really promoted. "This technology is still in its infancy, but it grows leaps and bounds on a daily basis," he said. The push to using greener technologies is spreading across the U.S. and creating a demand for skilled technicians.

In 91¶ÌÊÓƵAPPnical Institute's HVAC program, students work with energy auditing in the air conditioning, refrigeration and heating technology programs. Lincoln has one of the first curricula in the nation to merge HVAC technology with green-energy training in order to better prepare students for improving environmental standards, following guidelines set by the federal government to meet specific levels of energy efficiency. The flagship campus in Union, New Jersey was even dubbed a School of Distinction by the Green Mechanical Council. It boasts unbeatable real-world simulations and "69% of [its] students were placed last year in the HVAC program," said Bellucci.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, the industry as a whole is projected to see a 21-percent increase in job growth across the nation. This promising outlook means a bright future for students who choose a career in HVAC. In a challenging job market, a growing career path is a light at the end of the tunnel. Whether students stay within the state where they attend a Lincoln school or they move on to a new location, there are projected to be a number of opportunities across the United States. Bellucci has seen Lincoln graduates take their training into great careers. "I have had students who have been hired with top-tier companies as building engineers, as customer service representatives and countermen at local supply houses. I have also had students hired by cruise lines as HVAC/R technicians, which is the perfect position for a single person who is looking for a fantastic professional opportunity, as well a very interesting way to see the world and get paid while doing so," he said. There are also excellent job growth projections in each individual state where Lincoln offers HVAC training, including New York, where we run an admissions office serving the Union, NJ campus:

• (Grand Prairie) Texas: 28 percent.
• (Mahwah and Union) New Jersey: 27 percent.
• (Denver) Colorado: 23 percent.
• (Marietta) Georgia: 21 percent.
• (East Windsor and New Britain) Connecticut: 18 percent.
• (Columbia) Maryland: 18 percent.

Source:  www.CareerOneStop.org. CareerOneStop is sponsored by the U. S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration