Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC)

According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook, employment of heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers is projected to grow 21% through 2022, faster than the average for all occupations. Candidates familiar with computers and electronics and those with good troubleshooting skills will have the best job opportunities as employers continue to have difficulty finding qualified technicians to work on complex new systems. For more information, see the Occupational Outlook Handbook for HVAC. In a report highlighting the hard to fill nature of HVAC/R positions, Burning Glass found 220,734 job openings for HVAC/R in 2014 alone. The ESCO Group believes the industry should reflect a BLS estimate of “34% industry growth in next decade” with “31% of the HVACR workforce is expected to retire and need to be replaced in next decade” and “65% of HVACR workforce in ten years will be people not in the industry today.”

In 2012, the Kansas Legislature passed HB155, establishing the Excel in CTE initiative. This program aims to increase access to high-wage, high-demand careers by funding industry-recognized credentials and allowing high school students to take part in Career Technical Education (CTE) dual enrollment opportunities. Since its launch, the initiative has led to significant growth in the number of secondary students earning industry-recognized credentials and CTE college credits. The list of approved programs and credentials is determined by the State of Kansas and may change annually. There are a number of classes that are paid for completely by this initiative, however not all classes and tests are funded. These are updated yearly by the State of Kansas. For more info, go to Kansas Board of Regents: Excel in CTE webpage. For a complete list of qualified course Fort Scott Community College offers, go here.

*Additional costs not covered under Excel in CTE funding for Kansas concurrent high school HVAC students:

• $128 for tuition and fee – HVAC Work Place Skills Class
• $128 for tuition and fee – EPA 608
• $290 – Work Place Ready Certificate test fee
• $128 for tuition and fee and $175 for class fee – Special Projects
• $50 Graduation fee

Kansas DegreeStats is interactive online tool that reviews cost and earnings data from real graduates for each undergraduate degree program offered at a public college or university in Kansas.

FSCC is fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Universities. Federal programs such as Stafford Loans and Pell Grants are available for those who qualify. For more information on financial aid assistance contact FSCC Financial Aid Office at 620-223-2700 or download the FAFSA form at fortscott.edu.