2017 National HVACR Educators and Trainers Conference

There is still time to register for the HVAC Excellence National HVACR Educators and Trainers Conference is this coming on March 27-29 at the Florida Hotel and Conference Center in Orlando, Florida. I will be speaking at the conference and will be at the Pearson booth at the Expo. Please come by and say hello. I love to talk with other HVACR Instructors. Not an instructor? No problem. Techs and contractors are welcome as well. You can pick up on many of the latest topics. Better yet, you can meet the dedicated people teaching HVACR. You really can’t find this amount of quality continuing education anywhere else for the price of these conferences. Come and fill up at the all you can learn educational buffet being offered.

If you can find a way to attend one of this conference you won’t be disappointed. They are well worth your time. Unlike generic teacher’s conferences that target all subjects, these are specific to our field. And unlike industry showcases like ComforTech or the AHR show, these are specifically for teachers. As a result, everything you see will have a direct application to teaching HVAC/R.

I know that times are tough and getting funding and permission to go is difficult. When presenting the idea to your school administrators be sure to forward a copy of the program from the conference. The sessions at the National Educators and Trainers Conference in Orlando are high quality, professional programs, not sales pitches. The presenters are nationally recognized speakers from respected HVACR organizations. Be sure to note the large number of educational sessions. There are literally more sessions than you will have time to attend. Point out that attending will keep you informed about emerging technology like communicating systems. Point out that by attending you will be better positioned to integrate green mechanical concepts into your curriculum as a result of attending the conferences. Your attendance is tracked, so you can prove the number of hours you attended. Finally, you can get enough free instructional material and tools to help your program. Come gorge yourself at the all you can learn buffet! Here is a link for more information about the conference

https://www.escogroup.org/hvac/nhetc/default.aspx

HVACR Certifications

I am sure most professional technicians and HVACR educators consider themselves fully certified. Indeed, most of us hold multiple paper credentials awarded by different industry organizations. However, I bet I can find a few that you didn’t even know existed. That is, until someone specifically requests a particular certification for a job. So I decided to put together a list of organizations that offer credentials that you can obtain that relating to the HVACR industry. Each includes a link so you can do your own research into the credentials that organization offers. My list will not cover state and local licensure – that is another very lengthy topic. All of these certifications typically involve time and money. Some require years of documented field practice before testing. Others require membership in a particular organization. Many simply require passing a test. All strive to distinguish dedicated, trained professionals from a guy with a pickup truck and a pair of channel locks. I have tried to group them into areas of interest.

For HVACR Students there are
Air Conditioning, Heating. and Refrigeration Institute Industry Competency Exam AHRI ICE

HVAC Excellence Employment Ready

For HVACR Instructors there are
Air Conditioning Contractors of America Educators Program in Instructor Certification ACCA EPIC

HVAC Excellence Certified Master HVACR Educator CMHE

For Technicians installing and servicing HVACR equipment there are
North American Technical Excellence NATE
HVAC Excellence Technician Certification
Refrigeration Service Engineers Society Certificate Member RSES  CM and CMS
National Air Filtration Association Certified Air filter Specialist NAFA CAFS

For technicians doing testing and balancing there are
National Environmental Balancing Bureau NEBB Certified Professional
Testing, Adjusting and Balancing Bureau TABB
Associated Air Balance Council AABC

For people involved in building performance and commissioning there are
Building Performance Institute BPI
US Green Building Council LEED
Building Commissioning Association BCA

For people involved in building design and performance there is
American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air conditioning Engineers ASHRAE.

For building inspectors and code officials there are
International Code Council ICC
International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials IAPMO