WASHINGTON —
U.S. Senators Benjamin L. Cardin and
Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-MD) today announced that Allegany College has been awarded a $70,000 U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development grant to assist in establishing a HVAC Apprenticeship Training Program to teach students specific skills that will allow them to pursue careers in the heating ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration industries.
The HVAC Apprenticeship Training Program teaches students the specifics of refrigeration, ventilation, heating, plumbing and pipefitting so they can get jobs in this highly specialized field.
Last year, Allegany College’s Center for Continuing Education and the Institute for Professional Development & Extended Learning started the four-year program to provide students with the technical training that is necessary so they can meet the demand for workers of local contractors.
It is projected that jobs in the heating ventilation, air condition and refrigeration fields will grow by 9 percent by 2016.
“Many highly technical industries are in need of skilled workers who can do the job,” said
Senator Cardin.
“Apprenticeship training programs can be a valuable way to provide the highly specialized training that is needed for employment, particularly in these difficult economic times. This grant will enable Allegany College to provide the training to students that employers are seeking.”
“In this tight economy, we need to support training for jobs today. I am pleased this grant will make it possible for Allegany College to offer specialized training through an HVAC Apprenticeship Program,”
Senator Mikulski said. “This is good news for students, employers and Maryland’s economy.”
The HVAC Apprenticeship Training curriculum has been developed to meet the subject requirements established by the Bureau of Apprenticeship Training.
The program ensures on-the-job training so that students learn all the skills necessary for refrigeration and air conditioning safety installation and service.
It also will provide those who complete the course with a HVAC journeyman’s license without taking the State exam.
The Rural Development grant program was created to improve the economy and quality of life in rural America.
The program helps support essential services and infrastructure improvements, and promotes economic development by supporting loans to businesses through banks and community-managed lending pools.
