ECC offers accelerated heating, cooling degree

Submitted by ECC

Elgin Community College will offer a new pilot program that will allow students to earn a degree in heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration in one year.

The new program begins during the summer 2013 semester at the college, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin.

“HVACR is already a great program, but this allows more of our students to finish faster to meet the demands of this growing career field,” says Jeff Boyd, EdD, dean of safety, business, and career technologies. “The program is ideal for those considering a career change.”

Students enrolled in the program can take classes in a variety of combinations in order to pursue their education at a flexible pace: day and night, daytime, and at night. Each full-time class combination allows students the option of finishing in one year starting with the summer 2013 semester, or two semesters starting with the fall 2013 semester. Students enrolling part-time will finish within two to three years depending on the number of classes taken.

Prior to earning an HVACR degree, students will earn three certificates as they continue through the program. Levels I and II are completed by end of fall semester; the final level in spring. Upon acquiring all three certificates and the degree, students are prepared for higher-level jobs in the industry and larger companies, resulting in increased wages.

There is high demand for skilled workers in this field, with Kane County seeing a 14.1 percent demand for HVACR workers according to 2010 data. Salaries are also attractive for those interested in pursuing a HVACR degree with a nonunion salary approximately $25 to $30 per hour, and union salary approximately $45 per hour.

For more information about the HVACR program, contact the Sustainability, Business, and Career Technologies Division at (847) 214-7387 or visit elgin.edu/hvac.