Colorado Mesa University receives $223,342 Training for Residential Energy Contractors grant to fund a "Heat Pump Employment Ready" certificate program
Colorado Mesa University is excited to announce that it has been awarded a $223,342 Training for Residential Energy Contractors (TREC) grant funded by the U.S. Department of Energy and administered by the Colorado Energy Office to launch a new “Heat Pump Employment Ready” certificate to expand the scope of its existing Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning (HVAC) technical certificate program. The use of these grant funds furthers CMU’s mission to elevate the trades and increase opportunities for vocational education on the rural Western Slope.
“We are excited to support Colorado Mesa University Tech’s work to expand its HVAC training program,” said Colorado Energy Office Executive Director Will Toor. “These efforts will not only bring more robust job training opportunities to local communities but will also ensure Coloradans on the Western Slope can access qualified professionals to help them make smart energy decisions for their homes.”
CMU Tech’s existing HVAC certificate program trains students to earn an HVAC Fundamentals Technical Certificate, which prepares them with entry-level residential skills required by employers in this industry. This initial certificate focuses on HVAC fundamentals and allows students to begin working in the HVAC industry as apprentices, as well as setting them on the path to obtaining their HVAC Associate of Applied Science Degree or a bachelor’s in construction management. The certificate program is a four-month course designed to equip students with the entry-level skills required by employers.
With the creation of the new “Heat Pump Employment Ready” certificate, students will be able to take either credit-bearing college courses through CMU Tech or an intensive non-credit track for professionals through community education courses. Both programs will prepare students to sit for the NATE Air to Air Heat Pump Service certification, should they choose. A NATE-certified technician is primed to install, maintain and repair residential and light commercial heating systems with reliable and optimal efficiency.
“At CMU Tech, we work really closely with industry partners like Avalanche Heating, Cooling and Plumbing and Grand Junction Winair to determine what education is going to be most beneficial and relevant to not only our students, but also our local community,” said Vice President for CMU Tech Brigitte Sundermann. “When we can create programs like this one that align with industry needs, our students are more successful and secure jobs easier.”
This program will also fund an addition to CMU’s Mobile Learning Lab fleet — an HVAC training trailer — which will provide hands-on instruction in rural areas like Delta and Montrose, increasing accessibility to skills-based training in these areas. The funds will support CMU’s ability to hire a Technical Instructor of HVAC, a community education instructor, provide tuition assistance and fund a training trailer. These investments will boost CMU Tech’s HVAC program to encompass high-demand job skills training.
Thanks to the Colorado Energy Office, support from the TREC grant funds, and community employers like Avalanche Heating, Plumbing and Cooling and Grand Junction Winair, CMU has the ability to continue its efforts to elevate the trades and provide applicable, affordable education to students and professionals on the Western Slope, benefiting the students it serves and its regional employer and economic needs.