WVNCC HVAC program expanding into commercial training

Thanks to the West Virginia Northern Community College (WVNCC) Foundation one of the College’s programs is able to expand its offerings. WVNCC’s Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Program will now be increasing the focus to more commercial training, in addition to the residential training currently offered, due to a $16,000 grant from the College’s Foundation to purchase new equipment.

The money donated by the WVNCC Foundation was used to purchase equipment such as a roof top commercial unit, a new commercial gas furnace, commercial heat pumps and more. The program also upgraded technology for both residential and commercial training.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in the HVAC field is projected to grow 15 percent within the next eight years, which is much faster than the average for all occupation. “We keep hearing from area businesses in the Ohio Valley that there is a high demand for an increase in skilled commercial HVAC technicians,” commented WVNCC Vice President of Economic and Workforce Development Larry Tackett. “We are fortunate, with the generous help from our Foundation, to meet that demand. Additionally, commercial-trained workers often lead to better paying jobs for our students.”

 The Foundation, in collaboration with Northern's Office of Development, secures private financial support for the College. Joe Eddy, President of the WVNCC Foundation added, “We are proud that we were able to support this new endeavor by the college to fill a growing need in our region and to help secure a better future for our students.”

In addition to HVAC specific training, students in the program receive training in welding, electric, plumbing, sheet metal, duct fabrication and more.

“Our program offers broad-based training for so many different areas and fields,” said Mark Mangficio, program director & instructor, Refrigeration, Air Conditioning, and Heating. “The great thing about this profession is that no matter where you may end up in the future, there is always a need for an HVAC technician.”

West Virginia Northern Community College’s mission is to educate and empower individuals to achieve academic and career goals, leading to a highly-skilled, well-rounded, and accomplished workforce which successfully competes and adapts in a global economy. The College responds to the needs of the region it serves by offering a high-quality learning environment that is accessible, safe, and accommodating while nurturing teamwork and community service.