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Vincent of Grisham AireCare, who is currently serving as Chair of the NPC HVAC Apprenticeship Advisory Committee. “The apprenticeship model is beneficial to newer employees because they are getting not only classroom knowledge but hands-on experience in the field that reinforces what they are learning.” NPC decided to close its one-year HVAC technical certificate program after enrollment declined with plans to restructure the program to better meet the needs of local industry. “We have been discussing the best format for this program with our local contractors for several months now, and everyone agreed that an apprenticeship model is the best way to ensure HVAC students receive the best possible training to prepare them for work in the field,” stated Kelli Albrecht, Vice President for Workforce & Strategic Initiatives. “We have received support from partners around the state, including our Department of Labor liaison, the state apprenticeship office, the state HVACR Association, and our local contractors.” One unique aspect of this program is that pre-apprentices are allowed to participate in the classroom training, which means a student can begin

NPC BEGINS HVAC APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM

Hot Springs, Arkansas – National Park College (NPC) began training for a Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Apprenticeship Program last week. The Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship recently approved the program in July 2017.

Pictured left is first-year apprenticeship class instructor, Aaron Shaw who works as a mechanical inspector for the City of Hot Springs. Pictured right is HVAC apprenticeship student Billy Hicks from City Plumbing, Heating, and Electric. The College established the program with feedback from local HVAC contractors who expressed the need for an apprenticeship model of training. “We really need employees that can work during the day and go to school at night,” stated Jason