NORTH CHESTERFIELD, Va. — Centura College’s Richmond campus has announced a new Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Certificate program. Through this training, students will work hands-on with air conditioning and heating systems, residential and commercial refrigeration, heat pumps, hydronics, and more. Students can enroll now for a Sept. 26 class start.

“The demand for quality HVAC technicians is extremely high right now. The residential and commercial industries are severely undermanned with the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Handbook forecasting a 14 percent employment growth in the field of HVAC from 2014 to 2024,” said Dennis Brakeville, Centura College’s corporate director of industrial trades. “One critical reason is that seasoned technicians are reaching retirement age. This gives entry-level technicians the opportunity to fill these positions in a short period of time with competitive pay and benefits.”

The program is designed to take 12 months to complete and prepares students for entry-level positions within the HVAC industry. Graduates of the program will have acquired the knowledge to prepare for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) certification exam, which is a requirement for everyone entering the industry. Students will also be equipped to test for additional certifications, such as the Industry Competency Examination (ICE) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 10-hour Safety Certification. Career opportunities following graduation include positions with HVAC companies, contractors, hotels, and other specialty companies.

Centura College’s Richmond campus is located at 7914 Midlothian Turnpike in North Chesterfield, Va. For more information, call 804-330-0111 or visit www.centuracollege.edu.

Publication date: 9/7/2016

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