New Courses Cover Business Skills, A2L Refrigerants
(Courtesy of Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors–National Association)
FALLS CHURCH, Va. — The Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors–National Association (PHCC) Educational Foundation is expanding its online offerings to better serve the growing needs of the plumbing and HVACR community.
The foundation is adding courses to the PHCC Academy platform that are available to all plumbing and HVACR students, apprentices, and practicing technicians, as well as to business owners and administrators, and that complement their skills and also count toward the certifications needed to comply with federal regulations regarding refrigerant handling.
The existing HVACR curriculum is being enriched by two new certification preparatory courses that equip technicians with the knowledge to earn credentials to safely work in the field and be able to purchase and safely transport low-GWP refrigerants.
In partnership with the ESCO Institute, the first course will introduce refrigerant safety and low-GWP refrigerants (A2Ls), as well as cover proper installation, service, and associated codes and standards. The course aims to prepare individuals for the ESCO Institute’s refrigerant safety certification exam.
The second course will address Section 608 of the federal Clean Air Act, knowledge of which is mandatory for those who work with appliances that contain ozone- depleting refrigerants. This course will prepare students to take the Section 608 examination and teach them how to properly maintain, service, repair, and dispose of such appliances.
Other courses will focus on business leadership, financial management, and project administration skills.
"We’re always looking to enhance our educational programming to ensure our p-h-c workforce is properly trained and complying with the regulatory requirements impacting the industry,” said Dan Quinonez, the foundation’s executive director. “In order for technicians to work with systems containing refrigerants, they need HVACR certifications for safe handling. At the same time, there is also a need for professionals in the industry to build their business skills, refine their organizational leadership, and confidently manage company finances to improve their profitability. Our priority is to be the premier educational resource for the industry, whether that person is on the jobsite or in the boardroom.”
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The length of the individual courses vary, and so does the pricing, depending on whether an exam is required. However, all course participants receive a certificate of completion.
The PHCC Academy continues to be a resource for training HVACR and plumbing professionals in light of the shortage of skilled labor shortage impacting the industries, a press release from the foundation said. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLM), the plumbing and HVAC industries will need approximately 114,500 qualified new workers by 2028.
To learn more about the PHCC Academy’s new courses, visit: https://phccacademy.org/.
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