FALLS CHURCH, Va. — The Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors–National Association (PHCC) Educational Foundation has expanded its online educational programming to enhance the skills of HVACR professionals and provide them with more robust training.
Professionals at any level can now enroll in the new courses through a dedicated portal being launched for the PHCC Academy, an online platform offering training programs with specialized courses for everyone from pre-apprentices to seasoned business owners, a PHCC press release said.
The updated curriculum consists of foundational content covering heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration basics, as well as expanded content to train technicians on how to use, install, maintain, and troubleshoot new smart HVAC systems, energy-efficient technologies and IAQ solutions and keep up with industry advancements, the press release said.
The four-year apprenticeship courses are available on demand for trades workers to complete at their own pace, with a one-year time frame for each of the four stages. Apart from HVACR-focused courses, the PHCC Academy also offers business management and sales training courses so professionals can excel at all stages of their career, the press release said.
The PHCC Academy platform addresses the industry’s growing need for flexible, relevant, and focused training options amid a shortage of skilled trades workers, the press release said.
According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates, about 42,500 jobs for HVACR professionals become available each year. The BLS also reports that the number of HVAC technicians dropped by more than 50% in the last decade.
Meanwhile, HVAC enrollment for the PHCC Academy has seen 1,984% growth over the past five years — a trend the Foundation expects to continue.
“The Academy’s goal has always been to provide innovative educational programming for plumbing and HVAC professionals, supporting their growth and success in the industry,” said Dan Quinonez, executive director of the PHCC Educational Foundation. “Since the industry is going through a transformative shift, our primary goal is to prepare the new generations of HVACR technicians and seasoned pros on how to work with emerging smart technologies and energy-efficient solutions so that they can easily and efficiently solve real-world problems in the field. In addition to trade-focused resources, our new business management courses are helping company owners and their employees enhance their business acumen, build stronger leadership competency, and improve their customer service skills.”
Developed by licensed industry contractors within the PHCC, as well as Ph.D. experts, the Academy’s online courses address comprehensive industry trends and developments and fulfill the U.S, Department of Labor’s requirements for Related Technical Instruction (RTI). Courses average between $2,000 and $2,500 a year, depending on the licensure and certification pricing in the state in which the student resides.