Students pursuing their degree in Heating, Air and Refrigeration Technology (HART) at NTC have the opportunity to work with state-of the-art equipment on campus and in the field.
The 60-credit diploma includes courses in electrical theory, advanced electronics and motor controls with specialized coursework exploring Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration systems and equipment. The program provides training and coursework that directly correlates to business and industry requests.
Heating, Air & Refrigeration Technology Diploma Overview
The 60-credit diploma includes courses in electrical theory, and motor controls with specialized coursework exploring Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration systems and equipment. The program provides training and coursework that directly correlates to business and industry requests.
| Program | Degree | Length of Program | Delivery Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heating, Air & Refrigeration Technology | Diploma | Two years (60 credits) | On-campus |
Commercial Refrigeration Careers
Nearly every industry and commercial operation relies on refrigeration technology, creating nearly unlimited demand for technicians. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects jobs in refrigeration to grow by 14 percent through 2024, and Minnesota’s Department of Employment & Economic Development has labeled the field as a five-star in-demand career state-wide. Northwest Technical College can help you enter this exciting field, which promises job security and career advancement opportunities long into the future.
Here are some answers to questions you may have about this career field.
What is a Refrigeration Technician?
Walk into any restaurant, grocery store or convenience store and you will see a wide variety of refrigeration equipment in use — and all of it requires the skill of a commercial refrigeration technician to keep everything running smoothly.
As a commercial refrigeration technician, you’ll be responsible for installing, repairing, maintaining and replacing the equipment that is vital to the everyday success of hundreds of businesses. In addition to working side-by-side with other skilled professionals to install this equipment, you’ll also learn how to troubleshoot and diagnose problems in these complex systems — and learn the skills you need to get it all running at peak efficiency again.
Where Do Refrigeration Technicians Work?
Everywhere. Commercial refrigeration techs can be a dedicated employee for a company with refrigeration needs, or work as a field technician for a refrigeration contractor.
Techs who work as dedicated employees service all aspects of their company’s refrigeration equipment, and work will vary depending on the company’s needs. Field technicians provide services to a broad variety of clients, and may make regular trips to multiple job sites.
You can expect to work on a variety of different equipment in a variety of environments. You may spend one day installing a new system in one location and the next day making three repair visits. Every day will bring new challenges and new opportunities to demonstrate your expertise.
What Skills Will You Need to Succeed?
NTC’s partners in business and industry have told us they want employees who have a combination of technical skills and the skills necessary to be successful, professional employees. You’ll develop all of these important skills through your classroom work, hands-on lab experience, and internship opportunities available to you in our Commercial Refrigeration & HVAC program. Some of those skills include:
- Excellent communication and customer service skills
- Strong technological, computer and diagnostic skills
- Understanding how an entire refrigeration unit operates
- Knowledge of and proper use of tools
- Knowledge and understanding of government regulations
- Reading blueprints
- Identifying potential safety hazards
Commercial Refrigeration Job Outlook
In short, your job outlook is excellent — there are currently not enough qualified technicians to fill available openings in Minnesota, and as a commercial refrigeration technician your skills will be in demand well into the future.
Minnesota’s Department of Employment & Economic Development has labeled the field of Heating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers as a five-star, in-demand career and estimates that there could be more than 4,750 jobs for technicians in Minnesota in the next 10 years — both new positions and replacement of departing employees.
Why NTC?
At Northwest Technical College you’ll learn this profession from outstanding faculty with decades of experience working in some of the world’s most complex environments. Want to know what it takes to refrigerate everything in an Major League Baseball stadium? We can show you.
Plus, you’ll practice your skills in a brand-new, 8,000-square-foot lab with $500,000 in cutting-edge equipment. Our relationship with nearby Bemidji State University means you can get a college experience with housing, access to student clubs, organizations and intramural sports, facilities and outstanding student support services. It’s the NTC advantage, and it’s your guarantee for success.
- Small class sizes
- Learn from true experts in the refrigeration field
- Intensive, hands-on training with 4 hours in labs for every 1 hour of lectures
State-of-the-Art HART Technology Lab
Northwest Technical College’s program combines courses from the college’s current plumbing/HVAC and electrical construction & maintenance programs with a 15-credit block of new commercial refrigeration courses, along with general education requirements.
Using cutting edge technology, the program provides training and coursework that directly correlates to business and industry requests. NTC’s equipment include:
- TU-105 Commercial Refrigeration Trainer
- TU-106 Dual-Application Commercial Refrigeration Trainer
- TU-155 & TU-155-WT Industrial Refrigeration Trainer
- TU-206-C Residential Air Conditioning Trainer
- TU-406-C Residential Heat Pump Trainer
- TU-420 Refrigeration Trainer Demonstrator
- TU-701 Table Top Heat Pump Trainer
- TU-805 Mobile Table Top Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Trainer
- TU-810 EEV Table Top Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Trainer
Degree Requirements
60% of the program’s instruction is conducted in classrooms with 40% occurring in hands-on training and field environments. Students take courses in electrical theory, advanced electronics and motor controls along with specialized coursework exploring commercial refrigeration systems and equipment.
Program Skills
- Inspect, service and repair HVAC and refrigeration equipment
- Respond professionally to customer needs, complaints, questions in the servicing of HVAC and refrigeration equipment in accordance with standard safety practices
- Access manufacturing and supplier technical technical support in the repair or replacement of HVAC and refrigeration equipment
- Correctly troubleshoot HVAC/R problems in a computer simulated environment
- Perform basic electrical diagnostic troubleshooting and wiring diagram reading of HVAC and refrigeration system
- Utilize HVAC/R diagnostic equipment and tools skillfully
- Demonstrate proficiency in refrigerant recovery and safe handling of refrigerants
Faculty
Julian Dreher
Plumbing & Heating Faculty
Email: julian.dreher@ntcmn.edu
John Kenny
Commercial Refrigeration Faculty
Email: john.kenny@ntcmn.edu
Location: NTC Campus, Room 514
Paul Schlador
HVAC Faculty
Email: paul.schlador@bemidjistate.edu