Chattanooga State’s heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC/R) program through the Tennessee College of Applied Technology was recently re-accredited for another six years by HVAC Excellence. “This accrediting agency ensures that students, instructors and all involved are teaching the most up-to-date material in a sequential, easy-to-understand manner, and that we have modern trainers and equipment to replicate what will be encountered in the field,” states Houston Graham, HVAC instructor.

The road to re-accreditation is a long process. It begins with a self-study and a guide for the instructors provided by the agency explaining how the information should be presented. The instructors assembled the 300-page self-study over a 90-hour period, employing Graham, associate instructor Kyle Lee, and division secretary Linda Bales. The study covers HVAC Excellence standards as well as the entire curriculum. “It also covers every facet of enrollment, budget, funding, record-keeping, advisory committee, and every piece of equipment,” shares Graham.

Once the report is submitted and approved, HVAC Excellence sends representatives to the campus to verify the accuracy of the self-study and to interview students, instructors, and its department head, dean and director as well as student service employees. Following a full day of interviews and observations, Chattanooga State’s HVAC/R program was found to have zero recommendations and commended all involved for their “care of students in making sure that they are prepared for the field.”

Students enrolled in HVAC/R install, maintain and repair climate-control devices such as air conditioners, furnaces, refrigerators and freezer units. “The HVAC/R industry changes at a pace that surpasses most other fields due to new government regulations on energy efficiency. It’s a field that requires a lifelong commitment to learn about new equipment and ever-changing standards,” adds Graham.

The 52 currently enrolled students will graduate and be on their way to employment in 2017, confident that they have a fully accredited program to back them up. According to the U.S. Department of Labor Statistics, these students, and future graduates, can expect their field to grow by 14 percent, or faster than average, through 2024.

For more information on The HVAC/R program, please call 423-697-4433 or visit https://www.chattanoogastate.edu/hvacr-technician.