Finding technicians to eventually ascend to the roles of facility managers is one of the bigger challenges facing the industry, as older employees are retiring out of the profession at a rate faster than the number of potential replacements who are coming in.
That’s why training technicians so that they can better serve their institutional and commercial facilities while also setting them up to advance in their careers up to the management levels is so critical.
With those thoughts in mind, the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors (PHCC) National Association Educational Foundation announced an expansion of its online training and certification offerings for plumbing and HVAC technicians.
A suite of new courses is now available at the PHCC Academy that are available for plumbing and HVAC students, apprentices and practicing technicians as well as building owners and facility managers and staff to obtain mandatory certifications to comply with federal regulations.
Courses offered include refrigerant handling and improving business management and leadership skills.
As new refrigerant standards emerge in the industry, course offerings are focused on the safety of handling low GWP refrigerants (A2L). Technicians can earn credentials on how to work in the field, purchase and transport low global warming potential refrigerants.
PHCC is partnering with the ESCO Institute on two courses. One addresses safety handling low GWP refrigerants as well as installing, servicing and understanding associated codes and standards. The course will help students prepare for the ESCO Institute’s refrigerant safety certification exam.
The second course addresses EPA Section 608 of the Federal Clean Air Act, which is mandatory for professionals who work with appliances that contain ozone depleting refrigerants and prepare students to take the EPA Section 608 exam, a required class for working in the field.
Other planned classes include plumbing courses, and a series of business-focused learning modules geared toward the plumbing and HVAC industries. No prerequisites are needed to take the courses, which focus on communication, teamwork, business practices and problem-solving skills – all talents required to ascend to the management level in facilities.
Dave Lubach is the executive editor for the facility market.
