Hill College Unveils Historic Building Designed to Host New HVAC Labs with Trane and NC3
June 10, 2015 | By Business Wire News
CLEBURNE, Texas
The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that job growth for technicians in the heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVACR) industry will increase by 21 percent, nearly double the average growth for their projection of all occupations (2012 through 2022)1.
Hill College, serving Hill, Johnson, Bosque and Somervell counties, and Trane, a leading global provider of indoor comfort solutions and services and a brand of Ingersoll Rand, are holding a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Hill College Cleburne Technical Center at 10:30 a.m. today to unveil the historic Walls building at 319 East Henderson St., Cleburne, TX, which will house spaces for the new laboratory facilities. The new HVAC laboratories will help prepare students to meet the need for skilled technicians.
“Hill College is committed to preparing our students to successfully compete for jobs while providing qualified technicians to fill our community’s business needs,” said Dr. Pamela Boehm, president of Hill College. “We are excited to introduce the spaces for these new cutting-edge laboratories and updated curriculum which will allow our students to learn using the latest in innovative HVAC solutions and controls.”
Filling the talent pipeline with highly skilled technicians who understand the latest systems and controls is critical to maintaining and optimizing HVACR systems. These systems play an important role in energy efficiency, sustainability and building operations, which can significantly impact the bottom line.According to Energy Star, energy is the largest single operating expense for most buildings, accounting for about one-third of a typical facility’s operating budget.
During the ribbon-cutting ceremony, the Cleburne Industrial Alliance Council is honoring the college with a Community Improvement award for the historic restoration of the former home of Walls Industries, a 70-year-old provider of work wear and sporting goods that was acquired by Williamson-Dick Manufacturing Co. in 2013. The three new laboratories will be located on the ground floor of the Walls Building and the second floor will house 16 classrooms.
Leaders from Trane and Hill College designed the new facilities in collaboration with the National Coalition of Certification Centers (NC3). NC3 is a nonprofit organization which develops, implements and sustains industry-recognized certifications. Graduates of the Hill College technician program will receive their final certification from NC3. Trane, Hill College and NC3 leaders worked hand-in-hand on the college’s HVAC program to ensure that it meets the latest industry-required levels. NC3 also is training the educators who will teach the curriculum offered in the new laboratories.
The three new 3,000-square-foot laboratories on campus will feature the latest HVAC solutions and controls to enable Hill College to achieve its goal of advancing career and technical training by offering state-of-the-art working HVAC labs to improve desired outcomes for graduates. HVAC classes are expected to begin fall of 2016 at the Cleburne campus and each of the three laboratories will offer a different training environment, including:
- Residential HVAC
- Light commercial HVAC
- Building controls
Trane also is donating two water-source heat pumps to the new residential laboratory, which are manufactured in the McGregor, Texas, Trane plant. The water-source heat pumps, which feature variable speed drives and variable speed fans, represent leading-edge technology which enables students to learn using some of the latest HVAC solutions.
About Hill College
Hill College is a comprehensive residential and commuter community college which opened in 1923. With a proud history and a tradition of academic excellence, Hill College is building for the future. It offers the Associate in Arts Degree, the Associate in Arts in Teaching Degree, the Associate in Applied Science Degree, Certificate of Technology, Certificate of Completion, and Marketable Skills Achievement Award. For more information, visit: www.hillcollege.edu.
About NC3
NC3-National Coalition of Certification Centers is a network of education providers and corporations that supports, advances, and validates new and emerging technology skills in the transportation, aviation, and energy industry sectors. www.nc3.net.
About Ingersoll Rand and Trane
Ingersoll Rand (NYSE:IR) advances the quality of life by creating comfortable, sustainable and efficient environments. Our people and our family of brands — including Club Car®, Ingersoll Rand®, Thermo King® and Trane® — work together to enhance the quality and comfort of air in homes and buildings; transport and protect food and perishables; and increase industrial productivity and efficiency. We are a $13 billion global business committed to a world of sustainable progress and enduring results. Trane solutions optimize indoor environments with a broad portfolio of energy efficient heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, building and contracting services, parts support and advanced control. For more information, visit www.ingersollrand.com or trane.com.
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Trane, a brand of Ingersoll Rand
Heidi McGuire, 952-887-2371
Heidi.McGuire@irco.com
or
Melanie Boulay Becker, 612-381-9554
Melanie.boulay-becker@irco.com
or
Hill College
Jim Dalglish, 254-659-7771
jdalglish@hillcollege.edu
