How Does Your HVACR Program Score?

With so many HVACR training programs across the country, it is often difficult for equipment manufacturers to determine which programs to partner with. After all, with limited resources, they simply can’t provide backing to all of them. To help narrow their scope of support, these organizations often seeking to partner with HVACR educational programs that stay current and relevant in an effort to meet the industry's evolving needs.

To help identify programs that offer the manufacturers the best return on investment, the following scoring criteria can be used to evaluate an HVACR program:

1) Is the Program Accredited?                                    Yes: 62 Points, No: 0 Points

Accreditation by a third party demonstrates that the program meets or exceeds industry standards.

If program is accredited, skip to question 7.

2) Is the Instructor Adequately Qualified?                  Yes: 15 Points, No: 0 Points

Instructor should

• Have a minimum of five years of field experience directly related to the competencies being taught,
• AND Have valid EPA Section 608 Refrigerant Transition and Recovery Universal Certification,
• AND Meet the established teaching criteria established by their state or legal authority,
• AND Be a graduate of a full-time HVACR program,
• OR hold an associate degree in HVACR technology,
• OR hold a bachelor’s degree in HVACR or building trades technology,
• OR hold the HVAC Excellence Certified Master HVACR Educator “CMHE” credential.

3) Is the Program Recognized?                                     Yes: 9 Points, No: 0 Points

The program should offer a minimum of 750 hours of training and be recognized by a state department of education or the U.S. Department of Labor.

4) Is the Curriculum Comprehensive                            Yes: 7 Points, No: 0 Points

A robust curriculum should cover a wide range of HVACR technologies, ensuring students are trained on up-to-date equipment and techniques.

5) Does the program Have Industry Support?              Yes: 5 Points, No: 0 Points

Strong ties to the HVACR industry, including advisory boards and industry-sponsored training, help keep the program responsive to market demands.

6) Is the Program Adequately Funded?                         Yes: 10 Points, No: 0 Points

Sufficient funding is crucial for providing current equipment and resources for hands-on training.

7) Is the Program’s Attrition Rate Acceptable?             Yes: 9 Points, No: 0 Points

A low attrition rate (30% or less over three years) indicates student satisfaction and program effectiveness.

8) Is the Program’s Placement Rate Acceptable?         Yes: 8 Points, No: 0 Points

A minimum of 80% of graduates should find employment in the HVACR industry or related fields.

9) Does the Program Have a Wait List?                           Yes: 5 Points, No: 0 Points

A program with an active waiting list demonstrates high demand and relevance.

10) Does the Instructor Get Continuing Education?     Yes: 16 Points, No: 0 Points

The Instructor shall obtain 10 hours of continuing education annually (1 CEU = 10 Continuing Education Hours).

In addition, a minimum of 50% of this content has been attained through manufacturer direct or approved training, such as the National HVACR Education Conference.

Scoring Evaluation

This scoring process helps manufacturers identify which HVACR programs are best positioned to deliver a well-trained workforce and align with industry needs. The program can be ranked in one of four tiers. The tier ranking is determined by the total number of points earned in items 1 through 10, as listed above. The four tier ratings are:

• Tier 1: 75 points or greater
• Tier 2: 65 to 74 points
• Tier 3: 55 to 64 points
• Tier 4: 0 to 54 points

Before you reach out to a manufacturer seeking support, take the time to score your program first.