CENTRALIA — Kaskaskia College is proud to announce that it’s Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning Program has been recommended for 6-year national accreditation from the most reputable HVAC accrediting body in North America.
HVAC Excellence completed their on-site observation of KC’s HVAC classroom and labs, as well as interviews with students and KC instructors and administrators on Tuesday, March 14.
Prior to leaving the reviewers informed the college they would be recommending KC receive the organization’s six-year accreditation, its highest possible.
The reviewers added this was the first time they have experienced a program that didn’t require some tweaks or recommendations for improvement before accreditation was granted, highlighting KC’s commitment that students are receiving the quality training required for success in the HVAC industry.
Accreditation from HVAC Excellence provides a number of benefits for program graduates. It assures employers that KC’s graduates have received the best training in residential, and commercial heating and cooling and refrigeration equipment, and are ready to enter the workforce.
Currently, the job market for HVAC mechanics and installers is very active with the US Bureau of Labor Statistics projecting job growth at more than 14% over the next ten years, with a median income of $45,000. The accreditation also helps graduates in transferring credits if they choose to further their education beyond KC.
George Evans, Dean of Career and Technical Education says, “HVAC Excellence is the gold standard of the HVAC industry and to achieve a recommendation such as this is a pure testimony to Professor Kohnen’s commitment to his craft and to Kaskaskia College as a whole.
He is a true asset, now it is up to us to approach prospective students and the high schools to let them know how lucrative the job opportunities and pay are for the HVAC industry. With this gold stamp of approval, our graduates will be incredibly marketable in the HVAC industry.”
HVAC Excellence is an independent, third party review of higher education heating and cooling programs. Accreditation from this organization validates that a HVAC program is meeting established standards of excellence in the heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration industry.
Accreditation standards require a thorough examination of: mission of program, administrational responsibilities, finances and funds, student services, instruction design and program elements, physical facilities, equipment and tools, cooperative training and instructor qualifications.
KC Professor Mark Kohnen feels that “The Accreditation Process is the best way of ensuring students that the Kaskaskia College HVAC Program has all the skills to allow them to succeed. It also ensures the employer that the student has excelled in many areas of the industry. This accomplishment of Accreditation is great for everyone involved in the Kaskaskia College Program”.
To learn more about KC’s HVAC program contact Assistant Professor Mark Kohnen at 618-545-3414 or email mkohnen@kaskaskia,edu.
Prior to leaving the reviewers informed the college they would be recommending KC receive the organization’s six-year accreditation, its highest possible.