Air Conditioning and Refrigeration 2011 Program Review Vic Cafarchia May 2011 Overview The Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVACR) program at EI Camino College offers instruction, theory and training in repair of HVACR equipment, troubleshooting strategies, customer service, electrical and control applications and basic solar technologies to students seeking an Associate of Science Degree or Certificates of Achievement. The program prepares students for employment in the field and provides opportunities for currently employed personnel to achieve a range of certificates in the HVACR program. Competencies are assessed in accordance with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) certificate criteria, Section 608 (EPA) exam and Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Institutes (ARI) recommendations. Students completing the program and receiving the EPA Section 608 certificate may expect to enter industry as an advanced apprentice or entry-level HVACR technician. Changing technology and global warming has drastically affected the HVACR industry. El Camino College now has an opportunity to become a leader amongst the community colleges to go "Green". It should start in the classroom where we change students thinking in helping the planet survive the next decade. New energy saving high efficient equipment and with the assistance of green technology our students can become front runners in the world goals to help slow down this new threat to our planet. The strength of the HVACR program is its faculty, tools and equipment used in the lab and a strong future employment trend in the HVACR Industry. The one full time and two adjunct faculty in this program consists of professionals in the field, most of who have risen to high levels within their own professions and have chosen to teach to give something back to the community, and to satisfy their own interests in the teaching/learning experience. Degrees and Certificates Offered Associate of Science Degree HVACR Certificate of Achievement HVACR Certificate of Air Conditioning Certificate of Refrigeration Certificate of HVACR Electric Controls Section 608 EPA Certification 1
Status of Previous Recommendations The instructional review program validation report Academic year: 2003-2005, and the Instructional program review department/program self-study report academic year: 2003-2005, were both accessed for this current program review report. Many of the factors concerning the HVACR department program identified in those reviews, keeping the curriculum current, replacement of lab equipment with high efficiency equipment, need for computer software for courses relating to Title 24 and addition of a basic photovoltaic s and solar thermal class, have been met. Certainly concerns regarding replacement of lab equipment and keeping the curriculum current are still relevant and are addressed at other points in this review. Program Statistics Industry & Technology Cafarchia Johnson Cafarchia Ueda Cafarchia Cafarchia Cafarchia ACR-21 Victor A B C P D F I NP DR W ACR-21 4 5 4 0 0 5 0 0 0 :> 61.9% 21 % Of All Course Grades 19.0% 23.8% 190% 0.0% 0.0% 23.8% 00% 0.0% 0.0% 14.3% William Total Success Rate Retention Rate Grades ACR-21 9 2 2 0 0 3 0 0 1 0 76.5% 94.1% 17 % Of All Course Grades 52.9% 11.8% 11.8% 0.0% 0.0% 17.6% 0.0% 0.0% 5.9% 0.0% Course Totals 13 7 6 0 0 8 0 0 1 3 % Of Course Grades 34.2~/ ACR-22 O Victor ACR-22 5 11 7 18.4% 15.8% 0.0% 0.0% 21.1% 0.0% 0.0% 2.6% 7.9% 0 1 7 0 0 2 1 % Of All Course Grades 14.7% 32.4% 20.6% 0.0% 2.9% 20.6% 0.0% 0.0% 5.9% 2.9% Dale 38 34 85.7% 68.4% 89.5% ACR-22 19 2 5 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 89.7% 96.6% 29 % Of All Course Grades 65.5% 6.9% 17.2% 0.0% 0.0% 6.9% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 3.4% Course Totals 24 13 12 0 I 9 0 0 2 2 63 /0 Of Course Grades 38.1% 20.6% 19.0% 0.0% 16% 14.3% 0.0% 0.0% 3.2% 3.2% ACR-27 Victor 67.6% 91.2% 77.8% 93.7% ACR-27 7 9 15 0 0 I 0 0 I I 91.2% 94.1% 34 % Of All Course Grades 20.6% 26.5% 44.1% 0.0% 0.0% 2.9% 0.0% 0.0% 2.9% 2.9% Course Totals 7 9 15 0 0 I 0 0 1 1 % Of Course Grades 20.6% 26.5% 44.1% 0.0% 0.0% 2.9% ACR-5 Victor 0.0% 0.0% 2.9% 2.9% 34 91.2% 94.1% ACR-5 9 11 7 0 1 3 0 0 1 2 79.4% 91.2% 34 % Of All Course Grades 26.5% 32.4% 20.6% 0.0% 2.9% 8.8% 0.0% 0.0% 2.9% 5.9% Course Totals 9 II 7 0 1 3 0 0 1 2 /0 Of Course Grades 26.5% 32.4% 20.6% ACR-6 Victor 0.0% 2.9% 8.8% 0.0% 0.0010 2.9% 5.9% 34 79.4% 91.2% ACR-6 13 7 8 0 0 4 0 0 4 0 77.8% 88.9% % Of All Course Grades 36.1% 19.4% 22.2% 0.0% 0.0% 11.1% 0.0% 0.0% 11.1% Course Totals 13 7 8 0 0 4 0 0 4 0 % Of Course Grades 36.1% 19.4% 22.2% 0.0% 0.0% 11.1% 0.0% 00% 0.0% 11.1% 0.0% 36 36 77.8% 88.9% 2
DAY B. Enrollment Statistics: Fill Rates School Year Summer Fall Winter Spring 2006-07 88.5% 133.7% 94.3% 122.2% 2007-08 173.1% 136.6% 68.6% 128.7% 2008-09 115.4% 155.8% 108.6% 116.0% 2009-10 123.1% 160.5% #DIV/0! #DIV/0! EVENING School Year Summer Fall Winter Spring 2006-07 100.0% 89.4% 74.3% 83.1% 2007-08 88.5% 101.0% 111.4% 109.6% 2008-09 119.2% 98.1% 88.6% 101.9% 2009-10 138.5% 108.7% #DIV/0! #DIV/0! FTES Course Program Course Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 (Fall-2007) (Fall-2008) (Fall-2009) AC&R 5 (combined lab) 4.46 5.74 4.67 AC&R6 4.25 AC&R AC&R21 (combined lab) 11.05 10.84 11.68 AC&R 22 (combined lab) 10.83 11.05 10.83 AC&R23 4.46 4.46 4.89 AC&R 25 (combined lab) 4.25 4.67 AC&R27 4.89 9.99 10.52 AC&R30 1.59 3
Recommendations Given the data, can you recognize any trends in course demand in any of the Program's courses? The AC&R 21 and 22 classes (Beginning Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Classes) are the highest FTES courses in the program and the other courses need to be offered more often. What are you doing to respond to trends? In the future, if the budget will allow, add AC&R 22 to the spring schedule and hire another full time instructor and more adjunct faculty. The HVAC&R program could increase FTES for the college if our budget was to increase and funds could become available for another full time instructor and for the marketing of the program outside the college. The day program percentage is averaging close to the 100% goal. Evening classes have had somewhat of drop in enrollment, due to class cutbacks, but still maintains a higher than normal rate of students. Institutional budgetary problems due to inadequate state funding has made students look elsewhere to complete their certificate goals and the future of the HVACR program could be in jeopardy. 4
Curriculum Courses not reviewed in last five years. None Total number of courses in the program Total number of classes: 11 Classes in program not offered in last three years: 1 HVACR Courses A/C 21 Air Conditioning Fundamentals A/C 22 Basic Refrigeration A/C 5 Electrical Applications A/C 6 HVACR Control Systems A/C 20 Solar Basic s (PV & Solar Thermal) A/C 23 Commercial Refrigeration A/C 25 Energy Efficient Residential, Commercial & Industrial A/C A/C 27 Heating Technology A/C 30 Electric Controls A/C 32 Pneumatic Controls A/C 34 HVAC Customer Service Course Revisions and Additions None at present Degrees and Certificates Associate of Science Degree Air conditioning and Refrigeration Certificate of Completion HVACR Certificate of Air Conditioning Certificate of Refrigeration Certificate of Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Electric Controls EPA Section 608 Certificate Recommendations Curriculum is an important facet of the HVACR program at El Camino College and is always changing due to government regulations, environmental issues and budget. The advisory board makes recommendations for new classes as the industry's needs are constantly changing. El Camino College and the instructors must be aware of these needs and be willing to support the recommendations for the HVACR program. The addition of a new Green Technology Certificate would be another avenue the program would offer. 5
Student Learning Outcomes All courses in the ACR Program have SLO s A/C 21 Air Conditioning Fundamentals A/C 22 Basic Refrigeration A/C 5 Electrical Applications A/C 6 HVACR Control Systems A/C 20 Solar Basic s (PV & Solar Thermal) A/C 23 Commercial Refrigeration A/C 25 Energy Efficient Residential, Commercial & Industrial A/C A/C 27 Heating Technology A/C 30 Electric Controls A/C 32 Pneumatic Controls A/C 34 HVAC Customer Service Courses with assessments A/C 21 Air Conditioning Fundamentals A/C 22 Basic Refrigeration A/C 5 Electrical Applications A/C 6 HVACR Control Systems A/C 23 Commercial Refrigeration A/C 25 Energy Efficient Residential, Commercial & Industrial A/C A/C 27 Heating Technology A/C 30 Electric Controls A/C 32 Pneumatic Controls A/C 34 HVAC Customer Service Description of changes resulting from assessment of the courses Inside the classroom students learn by installation, troubleshooting and repairing HVACR equipment supplied through the college when proper funding is available to purchase the equipment. To properly promote student success the college must help the program with enough of a budget to ensure that students will be able to work with equipment in the lab. A review of the assessments and observing the other instructors in the classroom reveals that not all instructors are even using the SLO assessments in the way they were intended or even using them at all. This is because the adjunct faculty needs further training in regards to SLO s and understand that this will be a part of teaching the program for the future of the HVACR program. Program certificate and degree SLO s and manner of assessment Courses-All courses in the ACR Program rate high in content knowledge and critical, creative and analytical thinking as the most critical core competency. Students need the knowledge and troubleshooting skills in the trade to solve problems and make good judgments while working on equipment in the field. Program-The program is also validated in terms of student outcomes based on the ability of students to successfully complete the degree or certificate program. Another way to validate student outcomes is employment in the HVACR industry. 6
Results of the assessment Students through gaining knowledge of the trade in the classroom can apply that knowledge in troubleshooting and repairing equipment in the lab. The lab develops student s critical and analytical thinking skills so that they can use their knowledge of the trade when troubleshooting equipment. Program s level of SLO/assessment implementation: Awareness; Development; Proficiency; or Sustainable Continuous Quality Improvement Based on the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) Rubric for Student Learning Outcomes (copy will be provided at annual PR orientation meeting) The ACR Program is at the continuous quality improvement stage. The Program needs to link the learning outcomes to the program reviews. Recommendations (where applicable) Continue to further refine how we do program assessment through SLO s. Facilities, Equipment and Technology The (Industry and Technology) HVACR program at present is located in the main shop building and has one designated classroom and a full size lab separated from the classroom. The lab has a variety of HVACR equipment and technology: A/C package units A/C split systems PTAC units Window A/C units Two walk-in-boxes Ice machines Reach-in-units Refrigerators Commercial refrigeration units Electrical trainers Boilers Pneumatic trainers Solar Thermal trainers Furnaces Photovoltaic trainer Refrigeration trainers Air handling units The strength of the HVACR program is its faculty, tools and equipment used in the lab and a strong future employment trend in the HVACR Industry. The full time and adjunct faculty in this program consists of professionals in the field, most of who have risen to high levels within their own professions and have chosen to teach to give something back to the community, and to satisfy their own interests in the teaching/learning experience. Students are constantly working with all the equipment provided in the lab and the existing equipment and tools need to be replaced every five years. Another weakness in our program is that HVACR equipment is constantly changing to meet environmental goals and energy savings. Our laboratory is outdated every five years due to these problems. School funding has dropped and the needs outweigh our funds provided. High efficiency and energy saving equipment are the main concerns for the HVACR program and this equipment needs to be purchased to meet the industry standards and for the employability of our future students. The shop building is moving within the next four years so hopefully our long range goals will be met with the new facility. 7
Recommendations (where applicable) The HVACR Program offers 11 different courses. In the HVACR trade, and all trades and vocations, hands on is equally important as lecture. Students need to see and work on the equipment and use the proper tools that are being used in the trade to make them more employable and successful in the trade. The tools and equipment listed below are for a five year cycle. Courses Equipment and Tools Costs 1. ACR 21 Tools, controls, and parts $25,000 2. ACR 22 Residential Refrigerators $50,000 Tools, controls, and parts $25,000 3. ACR 23 Commercial Walk-in Refrigerator and Freezer $150,000 Tools, controls, and parts $50,000 Refrigerators and Freezers $250,000 4. ACR 25 13 SEER A/C units $150,000 Tools, controls, and parts $50,000 5. ACR 5,6,30 Electrical Boards, tools, controls $100,000 6. ACR 32 Pneumatic simulator tools, controls $100,000 7. ACR 20 Solar Lab kits for individual students Tools, controls, and parts $25,000 8. ACR 27 Hot water boiler, coils, controls, tools, and parts. $150,000 Total $1,125,000 Staffing The full time staff consists of one instructor (who will be retiring in four years) with twenty five years experience in the HVACR industry and sixteen years of teaching experience. His vast knowledge of commercial air conditioning, heating, boilers, electricity and controls has not only produced a top notch program within the community college ranks but has helped our students become among the best technicians in the industry. Our adjunct faculty at present consists of two instructors. Due to budgetary state concerns we have lost three adjunct instructors. Current needs With the increase of student population in the program a second full time instructor needs to be added. The labs are full and one full time instructor is unable to safely watch all the students in the lab. These students are working with electrical devices of voltages up to 480 volts. Safety is our biggest concern for the students. To help relieve the extra load on the full time instructor, the HVACR program needs one full time and two more adjunct faculty added to the HVACR program. 8
Future needs Two full time instructors Four adjunct instructors Planning Internal and external changes or trends impacting program in the next five years Internally the HVACR program needs another full time instructor to relieve the load on the single full time instructor. Externally the effects of global warming around the world and the Environmental Protection Agency laws and regulations will dictate the needs of the HVACR program in the next five years. Direction of program in five years The instructors need to use SLO assessments, Program Review, and the Plan Builder to keep ECC aware of our students needs. To accomplish this, the HVACR program needs a lab that is equipped with the proper equipment, tools, controls, and parts to be appealing to new and returning students. The classroom needs to be a smart room so we can make use of the video material that the Program is acquiring through the CTEA Grant. Once the classroom and lab are equipped properly the program will grow and we will be able to properly train the students so that they will be successful in acquiring jobs in the HVACR trade. We have learned at ECC that once we start placing our students into HVACR industry, that by word of mouth from the students to their friends, enrollment increases. Changing technology and global warming has drastically affected the HVACR industry. El Camino College now has an opportunity to become a leader amongst the community colleges to go "Green". It should start in the classroom where we change students thinking in helping the planet survive the next decade. New energy saving equipment and with the assistance of green technology our students can become front runners in the world goals to help slow down this new threat to our planet. The equipment and technology is there, we just need a way to get it with proper funds and the aid of grants. Instructor training to meet these goals is vital for the future of our program and the college. Students need to be instructed in saving our environment and energy consumption. How do we provide students with this knowledge if the college and our instructors have old cost consuming equipment to teach with and no new green technology? 9
Prioritized Recommendations and Needs Conclusion and Summary 1. Full time Instructor 2. Two adjunct instructors 3. Upgrades to lab 4. New tools and equipment 5. Faculty training: Green Technology, High Efficiency Equipment $20,000 Purchasing needs Courses Equipment and Tools Costs ACR 21 Tools, controls, and parts $25,000 ACR 22 Residential Refrigerators $50,000 Tools, controls, and parts $25,000 ACR 23 Commercial Walk-in Refrigerator and Freezer $150,000 Tools, controls, and parts $50,000 Refrigerators and Freezers $250,000 ACR 25 13 SEER A/C units $150,000 Tools, controls, and parts $50,000 ACR 5,6,30 Electrical Boards, tools, controls $100,000 ACR 32 Pneumatic simulator tools, controls $100,000 ACR 20 ACR 27 Solar Lab kits for individual students Tools, controls, and parts $25,000 Hot water boiler, coils, controls, tools, and parts. $150,000 Total $1,125,000 The HVACR program will experience steady growth in the future. The environmental control of buildings, EPA regulations on refrigerants and government laws on new manufactured equipment will require substantial training for all instructors in the HVACR program. A greater reliance on computer control will require additional provisions. Upgrading equipment is an ongoing need. The HVACR program must be able to provide training on new High Efficiency equipment that the advisory committee and industry recommends. Most of our previous recommendations from the last program review have been met with the purchase of Solar Equipment and 13 SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratios). A new Basic Solar Class was also added to the program which was recommended in the last review. In the next five years the HVACR program would like to be Green and High Efficient. As the curriculum expands to cover new Green technology, faculty will continue to develop curriculum to match industry demands. To meet these goals the HVACR program needs to keep upgrading its equipment, tools, supplies and instructor training. The HVACR program can validate the progress through its SLO s assessments. Certification and advancement. Throughout the learning process, technicians may have to take a number of tests that measure their skills. For those with relevant coursework and less than 2 years of experience, the industry has developed a series of exams to test basic competency in residential heating and cooling, light commercial heating and cooling, and commercial 10
refrigeration. These are referred to as Entry-level certification exams and are commonly conducted at both secondary and postsecondary technical and trade schools. Additionally, HVACR technicians who have at least 1 year of experience performing installations and 2 years of experience performing maintenance and repair can take a number of different tests to certify their competency in working with specific types of equipment, such as oil-burning furnaces. The Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute offers an Industry Competency Exam; HVAC Excellence offers both a Secondary Employment Ready Exam and a Secondary Heat and Heat Plus exams; and National Occupational Competency Testing Institute offers a secondary exam; and the Refrigeration Service Engineers Society offers two levels of certification, as well. Employers increasingly recommend taking and passing these tests and obtaining certification; doing so may increase advancement opportunities. Another way to increase advancement opportunities is to take advantage of any courses that will improve competency with computers; these courses are useful because of the increasing complexity of automated computer controls in larger buildings. Heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers held about 308,200 jobs in 2008; about 54 percent worked for plumbing, heating, and air-conditioning contractors. The rest were employed in a variety of industries throughout the country, reflecting a widespread dependence on climate-control systems. Some worked for refrigeration and air-conditioning service and repair shops, schools, and stores that sell heating and air-conditioning systems. Local governments, the Federal Government, hospitals, office buildings, and other organizations that operate large air-conditioning, refrigeration, or heating systems also employed these workers. About 16 percent of these workers were self-employed. Employment of heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers is projected to increase 28 percent during the 2008-18 decade, much faster than the average for all occupations. As the population and stock of buildings grows, so does the demand for residential, commercial, and industrial climate-control systems. Residential HVACR systems generally need replacement after 10 to 15 years; the large number of homes built in recent years will enter this replacement timeframe by 2018. The increased complexity of HVACR systems, which increases the possibility that equipment may malfunction, also will create opportunities for service technicians. A growing focus on improving indoor air quality and the increasing use of refrigerated equipment by a rising number of stores and gasoline stations that sell food should also create more jobs for heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration technicians. Concern for the environment and the need to reduce energy consumption overall has prompted the development of new energy-saving heating and air-conditioning systems. This emphasis on better energy management is expected to lead to the replacement of older systems and the installation of newer, more efficient systems in existing homes and buildings. Also, demand for maintenance and service work should rise as businesses and homeowners strive to keep increasingly complex systems operating at peak efficiency. Regulations prohibiting the discharge and production of older types of refrigerants that pollute the atmosphere should continue to result in the need to replace many existing air conditioning systems or to modify them to use new environmentally safe refrigerants. The pace of replacement in the commercial and industrial sectors will quicken if Congress or individual States change tax rules designed to encourage companies to buy new HVACR equipment. 11
Job prospects. Job prospects for heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers are expected to be excellent, particularly for those who have completed training from an accredited technical school or a formal apprenticeship. A growing number of retirements of highly skilled technicians are expected to generate many more job openings. Many contractors have reported problems finding enough workers to meet the demand for service and installation of HVACR systems. Technicians who specialize in installation work may experience periods of unemployment when the level of new construction activity declines, but maintenance and repair work usually remains relatively stable. People and businesses depend on their climate-control or refrigeration systems and must keep them in good working order, regardless of economic conditions. In light of the complexity of new computer-controlled HVACR systems in modern high-rise buildings, prospects should be best for those who can acquire and demonstrate computer competency. Training in new techniques that improve energy efficiency will also make it much easier to enter the occupation. Projections Data Occupational Title Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers Projections data from the National Employment Matrix Projected SOC Employment, Employment, Code 2008 2018 49-9021 Change, 2008-18 Number Percent 308,200 394,800 86,600 28% Earnings Median hourly wages of heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers were $19.08 in May 2008. The middle 50 percent earned between $14.94 and $24.84 an hour. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $12.19, and the top 10 percent earned more than $30.59. Median hourly wages in the industries employing the largest numbers of heating, airconditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers were: Local government $22.79 Hardware, and plumbing and heating equipment and supplies merchant wholesalers 22.18 Commercial and industrial machinery and equipment (except automotive and electronic) repair and maintenance 20.83 Direct selling establishments 20.03 Building equipment contractors 18.26 Apprentices usually earn about 50 percent of the wage rate paid to experienced workers. As they gain experience and improve their skills, they receive periodic increases until they reach the wage rate of experienced workers. 12
Heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers generally receive a variety of employer-sponsored benefits. In addition to typical benefits such as health insurance and pension plans, some employers pay for work-related training and provide uniforms, company vans, and tools. About 15 percent of heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers are members of a union. The unions to which the greatest numbers of mechanics and installers belong are the Sheet Metal Workers International Association and the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipefitting Industry of the United States and Canada. 13