Paul D. Camp Community College was established in 1970, opened its Franklin campus in 1971, and launched its workforce development program roughly 10 years ago.

Since the inception of our Regional Workforce Development Center, the college has trained tens of thousands of area residents in a number of highly sought-after fields. These students’ collective efforts have given root to the prosperity of the region and also have created life-changing and rewarding experiences for those taking advantage of the college’s workforce development service. This, of course, is in addition to our many transfer programs and other degrees and certificates we offer.

A new service and office established at PDCCC is our Career Development Center. It assists students and community citizens in areas from career exploration to job placement.

One of the newest workforce development programs the college has established is our heating, ventilation and air conditioning program, otherwise known as HVAC. HVAC technicians can work in homes, retail establishments, hospitals, office buildings and factories. They install, maintain and repair systems by adjusting controls and testing the performance of these systems.

Many may not know the career options available for a qualified HVAC technician. It is one of the most highly sought after-fields in the nation. Today, HVAC technicians hold nearly 300,000 jobs in the U.S. That number is expected to grow even more during the next 10 years. The average hourly wage for HVAC technicians in the U.S. is about $19.54, and the average annual salary is around $40,630.

HVAC Career Studies Certificate

The Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Certificate in Career Studies at the Paul D. Camp Community College is a 24-credit program designed for persons seeking employment in this field. The program emphasizes training in theory, hands-on applications and on-the-job experience.

Students learn the characteristics of refrigerants, circuit diagrams, characteristics of burners, heat pumps and advanced service techniques on a wide variety of equipment used in refrigeration, air conditioning, and phases of heating, ventilation and controls. The program at the college fully prepares candidates, over a very short period of time, for the work world.

Contact an admissions counselor

If you have ever had a broken refrigerator or air conditioner, you understand the importance of properly functioning refrigeration equipment and climate control systems. That is where HVAC maintenance technicians come into the picture — they are the professionals who make sure your heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems are in good working order.

For students looking for life-changing opportunities, know that Paul D. Camp Community College offers an expansive HVAC training program that fully meet the needs of employers. When you are ready to learn more, contact one of our admissions counselors, come to our new Career Development Center or visit www.pdc.edu for more information.

Dr. Paul Conco is president of Paul D. Camp Community College. His email is pconco@pdc.edu.