Twenty Blinn students earn Principles of HVAC certificates
Graduates on track for in-demand careers as HVAC professionals or advanced degrees
November 11, 2020
The Blinn College District Division of Technical and Community Education recently recognized 20 graduates who earned their Principles of HVAC Technician certificates. These students are equipped with the skills necessary to enter the workforce or continue their education and earn additional certifications or an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree.
Jordan Blum, Nicholas Calderon, Cassius Conway, Richard C. Galvan, Jose E. Hernandez Medina, Ryan M. Hines, Jake Kana, Gabriel Lopez, Jasmine Lopez, Noe Luevano, Colton Manley, Matthew L. Mathews, Rodrigo Medina Landaverd, Marcos A. Ordaz Bedoy, Augustine E. Palmisano, Luke A. Patranella, Miguel A. Ramirez, Dylan Riojas, Patrick Rogers, and Jonathan Salem completed 200 contact hours of training to earn their certificates.
“These students emerge fluent in the key concepts and skills necessary to succeed in the HVAC field,” said Karla Flanagan, Dean of the Division of Technical and Community Education. “Our HVAC graduates are extremely successful in gaining immediate employment upon completing our programs. This accomplishment is a credit to our dedicated faculty and the training students receive at our state-of-the-art facilities.”
The program consists of two courses that run concurrently. CNBT 1010: Basic Construction Safety addresses basic job site safety in residential, commercial, and industrial construction. HART 1038: Air Conditioning I provides an introduction to HVAC principles, terminology, tools, and skills.
Blinn HVAC students can earn their National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) Construction Core and HVAC Level 1-4 credentials as well as Blinn’s Occupational Skills Award and Level 1 and 2 certificates. These credentials can be used as standalone awards for entry into the workforce or applied to Blinn’s new AAS degree in HVAC.
“Demand is high for HVAC professionals and Blinn’s program is unique in that students can build upon stackable credentials,” said Jay Anderson, Vice Chancellor of Health Sciences, Technical Education, and Community Programs. “Once students finish a series of courses, they can either enter the workforce or pursue advanced certifications or degrees, providing them with multiple ways to advance their careers.”
All HVAC courses follow the NCCER curriculum, a nationally recognized curriculum developed by construction CEOs, trade association officials, and academic leaders.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, HVAC and refrigeration mechanics and installers earn a median salary of $48,730 per year and employment is expected to grow 4% between 2019 and 2029.
In addition to HVAC, Blinn recently introduced AAS degrees in carpentry, facilities maintenance, and water purification. All four degrees were developed in partnership with local industry and lead to high-wage, high-demand careers.
To learn more about Blinn’s HVAC program, including the new AAS degree, visit www.blinn.edu/workforce or call 979-209-7205.
