ARLINGTON, Va. — A new Web site, developed by members of the Partnership for Air Conditioning, Heating, Refrigeration Accreditation (PAHRA) program, gives HVACR instructors and schools the tools they need to ensure their HVACR programs have met or exceeded industry standards in instruction, curriculum, student, faculty qualification, and facility standards set forth by the industry in the areas of residential air conditioning and heating, light commercial air conditioning and heating, and commercial refrigeration. The PAHRA Web site is located atwww.pahrahvacr.org.

PAHRA, a partnership between HVACR educators and the industry, is a national accreditation program designed to ensure the level of educational quality of HVACR programs by establishing and maintaining high educational standards. A training program seeking PAHRA accreditation is volunteering to have its quality compared to national standards established by HVACR industry professionals.

The new Web site contains:

  • A step-by-step guide to becoming PAHRA accredited;

  • A list of accredited schools;

  • Frequently asked questions;

  • Links to other supporting PAHRA organizations; and

  • Contact information for schools interested in becoming accredited.

    Partners in PAHRA include the Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute (ARI), the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA), the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), the Council of Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Educators (CARE), the Gas Appliance Manufacturers Association (GAMA), the Heating, Airconditioning & Refrigeration Distributors International (HARDI), and the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors—National Association (PHCC).

    For more information about PAHRA, visit the Web site or contact Ed Dooley, ARI's vice president of Communications and Education, at edooley@ari.org.

    Publication date: 08/11/2003