Congratulations to NC3 Certification Center, Mid-Plains Community College in Nebraska for launching their first Trane certifications!

Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration students at Mid-Plains Community College are learning with state-of-the-art technology.

The college recently purchased a variety of Trane brand products that will allow the students to become certified by the National Coalition of Certification Centers (NC3) in four residential HVAC-R areas: airflow handling, heat pumps, refrigeration diagnostics and variable speed motors. 

The equipment consists of a single stage gas furnace with constant torque blower drives, a single stage gas furnace with a permanent split capacitor blower drive and a couple of two-stage gas furnaces with variable speed blower drives. There is also a two-stage heat pump and three single stage heat pumps. 

“Not only will this equipment allow our students to train on the most up-to-date systems available, but it will also provide them with the certification they will need to remain competitive in the field of HVAC-R,” said Paul Knopick, MPCC technical enrollment coach. 

Trane, a world leader in air conditioning systems, services and solutions, has a partnership with NC3, an organization that maintains the highest standards for certified instructors. 

“NC3 provides education for certifications on Trane equipment,” Knopick said. “There is a complete curriculum for each certification. Even though the training is on Trane equipment, the skills students will gain will be applicable to any brand of equipment they service.” 

Dedication to a quality education

Planning for the equipment began about a year ago after a Trane representative visited the college and introduced HVAC-R students to some of the newest products on the market. 

Because the college is dedicated to staying on top of technological advancements and teaching the most relevant information in each of its program areas, it decided to move forward with the purchase of some of the systems. 

Rex Kemp, HVAC-R instructor, went through NC3 training at Gateway Technical College in Kenosha, Wisc. last summer in preparation for the new units, which arrived in December. Students began setting up the equipment around spring break. 

The equipment, and the tools to accompany it, cost $8,583, all of which was paid for by a Perkins grant. 

Both Kemp and the students are excited about the new equipment and the opportunities it will provide. Kemp said the Trane certifications will give his students “more tools in their résumé box” that they can use when applying for future employment.

Read other Mid-Plains Community College HVACR announcements here.

Original article posted on Wednesday, April 2, 2019, by Heather Johnson, Communications Specialist.