The PAHRA program was developed to certify that HVACR training programs at institutions meet or exceed industry standards for curriculum, students, 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.

"Undergoing the accreditation process has been a learning experience for myself and our administration," said Eric Clock, facility maintenance/mechanical instructor at Alaska Vocational Technical Center. "It gave us a chance to evaluate our program and compare it to others on a national level. As a result of the accreditation, our school has achieved national recognition and been the recipient of valuable and useful equipment donations."

PAHRA accreditation is validated by representatives from major HVACR trade associations and is available to all training programs, whether they are secondary, postsecondary, public, or private. It was created for the purpose of establishing national educational standards for accrediting HVACR programs.

To become accredited, a training school must first evaluate its own strengths and weaknesses as compared to industry standards and then submit its findings in a self-study report. A survey team then conducts an on-site visit to corroborate the self-study report.

The program was launched in January 2001. Since then, a total of 16 schools have received accreditation through the PAHRA program.

For a list of these schools, visit www.pahrahvacr.org.

Publication date: 10/18/2004