October 9, 2009
For Immediate Release

RCCC's Air Conditioning-Heating Program
Training State Agencies to Help Those In Need

             CONCORD, N.C. — The Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration (AHR) Program and the Office of Customized Training at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College are training North Carolina state agencies to help lower-income citizens save energy and reduce their heating/cooling expenses.

              Classes comprised of representatives from more than 30 state agencies will undergo the training at RCCC Oct. 12-15 and Oct. 19-22.

              The N.C. Division of Health and Human Services' Office of Economic Opportunity is working with RCCC to train the state agencies to provide services of the state's Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP). The program assists lower-income citizens by conducting home energy audits and diagnostic testing to determine levels of carbon monoxide and identify and recommend health, safety and heating-air conditioning efficiency improvements. Heating and air conditioning systems which are inoperable, highly inefficient or pose a health threat are repaired or replaced by the program.

              Faculty members from the AHR Program at RCCC will provide the week-long training sessions. The classes will focus on the mechanics and design of heating, air conditioning and ventilation (HVAC) systems. Participants will learn to use the Right-Suite® Universal system for load calculations and design applications, with input directly from the software manufacturer.

              The training will take place at RCCC's AHR facilities, located at the college's Cabarrus Business & Technology Center in Concord.

              "Everyone in the AHR Program is excited and proud to work with the Division of Health and Human Services and the WAP," said Joe Christie, AHR program head at RCCC. "It speaks well of our program and graduates and RCCC's Office of Customized Training to be selected to provide this training.

              "It's also rewarding to know we will we help agencies across the state provide assistance to families in need. The training comes at a good time, with cold weather approaching," Christie added.

              RCCC offers three AHR options - a certificate program, a one-year diploma program and a two-year associate-degree program.

              The certificate program prepares students for entry-level jobs with HVAC/R contractors. Students completing the diploma program are prepared for positions as residential and light commercial installation and service technicians. The associate-degree program provides added training needed to install and maintain commercial and industrial systems.

              "Our laboratory and storage facilities give students an opportunity to gain practical experience in assessing a building's heating and cooling needs, determining heating/cooling zones, and installing duct work," Christie said. "This kind of hands-on training ensures our students are ready for work as soon as they graduate. That's what local contractors have a high demand for; well trained technicians who are ready to work now."

              For more information about RCCC's AHR programs, contact Christie at 704-216-3908, instructor Jon Crockett at 704-216-3090, or instructor Fred Loving at 704-216-3912.

              RCCC's Continuing Education Department offers EPA technician certification training in CFC (chlorofluorocarbon) recovery. For more information, call 704-216-3514.

              For more information about the services and programs of the Office of Customized Training, call 704-216-3668.

               RCCC is a comprehensive, community-based institution of higher learning, serving the citizens of Rowan and Cabarrus counties in North Carolina. RCCC is one of 58 colleges in the state-supported North Carolina Community College System.

                RCCC offers fully-accredited associate-degree programs in more than 40 areas of study, including arts and sciences, business, information technology, health and public services, and engineering technologies. RCCC also offers accredited diploma and certificate programs focused on career training, continuing education and basic skills education. RCCC provides a strong foundation and transferable credits for students moving on to four-year colleges and universities and helps adults get the additional training they need to start new careers.

               RCCC annually provides more than 2,000 course offerings, serving an overall enrollment of approximately 20,000 students. In addition, RCCC provides the education and job-training programs needed to meet many of the workforce demands of the North Carolina Research Campus being developed in Kannapolis. For complete details, see the RCCC website at www.rowancabarrus.edu.