Students in this program work with both commercial and residential heating, ventilating, air conditioning and refrigeration equipment. This comprehensive background, together with shop skills in layout, estimating, installation and repair, qualifies graduates to enter one of the world's fastest-growing industries. Employment exists with manufacturers, engineers, contractors and specialized service firms. Students learn to research and develop applications of more efficient, cost-effective equipment and procedures. Many new, exciting and energy-saving innovations are being developed. Technicians train in this industry to provide the technology to control the environment in any enclosed area, from a home to a space capsule. This includes controlling indoor air quality by utilizing mechanical means to remove pollutants and maintain desired humidity and temperature settings. The knowledge to design, install and maintain these special environments for people, products and perishables is essential today.

1. Exhibit industry safety practices and procedures.
2. Troubleshoot and repair residential and commercial refrigeration appliances.
3. Qualify for refrigeration recovery, recycling and retrofitting certification.
4. Apply installation procedures for residential and commercial refrigeration and air conditioning systems.
5. Apply system evacuation and recharging procedures.
6. Apply soldering and brazing procedures and techniques.
7. Design and interpret electrical schematics and wiring diagrams.
8. Exhibit effective communication skills.
9. Demonstrate computer utilization skills.

This rapidly expanding industry with its new technologies not only provides new job opportunities, but creates numerous possibilities for advancement. The industry encourages personal and professional development through continuing education, testing and certification by such groups as RSES (Refrigeration Service Engineers Society) and NATE (North American Technician Excellence) Many people who enter this field find that they can move into other areas of the industry such as sales representative, estimator, draftsman, designer, spec writer, serviceman, lab technician, and wholesale operations. People are needed in so many areas of the refrigeration and air conditioning industry that they are in one of our country's most stable industries. The supply of trained people has not kept pace with the demand for many years. Every new public building or complex requires installation mechanics, qualified service technicians, operating engineers, maintenance foremen, and crews who are trained to keep these complex environmental systems operating at peak efficiency. New technology and new products which require refrigeration or special environments create new demands and new jobs every day. Employment exists with manufacturers, engineers, contractors, and specialized service firms.

• Gainful employment report

The College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, (800) 621-7440, 30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 2400, Chicago, IL 60602-2504.