LEWISTON, Idaho – The Lewis-Clark State College Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technology program has been granted accreditation by HVAC Excellence.
To be accredited, LC State officials had to submit a self-study filled with narratives and examples of how they complied with each of the required standards. The self-study was sent to HVAC Excellence, allowing its accreditation review board to thoroughly assess compliance for each standard. The Accreditation standards include 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.
HVAC Excellence, having approved the self-study, sent a team to conduct an intense onsite review of the program. The onsite team consisted of an HVACR instructor and a school administrator.
Upon a thorough review of all the documentation presented by the school and the onsite accreditation team, the HVAC Excellence accreditation review board decided to grant accreditation to the LC State program.
The LC State program is now just one of two HVAC Excellence accredited programs in Idaho, Washington, Oregon, Montana, Alaska, Wyoming and Utah.
“Obtaining HVAC Excellence accreditation ensures students and employers that our standards align to nationally recognized standards,” said LC State HVAC-R assistant professor J.R. Kok, who spearheaded the effort. “As any industry changes, you must have a way to ensure your training remains relevant. Our program seeks to align ourselves with the most up to date resources to form a solid base. We can then build upon that base to meet local industry needs.”
HVAC Excellence was established in 1994 to improve the technical competency of the HVAC-R industry through validation of the technical education process. By setting program standards and verifying that they have been met through an independent accreditation process, HVAC Excellence has the goal to help ensure the future workforce receives the quality of training required to provide the skills necessary for success in the HVACR industry.
LC State offers an associate’s degree in HVAC-R Technology as well as an advanced technical certificate and apprenticeship.