Focus on Sussex Tech School programs

SPARTA — The HVAC program at Sussex County Technical School is one of the original shop programs at the school and is still popular with students. The program is aided by a professional advisory board of local HVAC business owners and employees and students learn their skills with state of the art equipment at the school. Program at a glance Students enrolled in the HVAC program learn to service and troubleshoot heating equipment (both gas and oil) and air conditioning and refrigeration systems. HVAC technicians ensure that a building's energy systems are working efficiently and detect and fix problems within those systems. Because of the technical nature of the job, education in the field is mandatory. What is taught Instruction includes installation and repair of furnaces, boilers, refrigeration systems, hydronics and zone controls, motors and controls, soldering, brazing, steel pipe cutting and threading, sheet metal basics and electrical wiring of relays. Each student takes the National Occupational Competency Testing Institute (NOCTI) exam, an industry recognized performance based test which becomes part of the student’s portfolio. Qualifications Students must be enrolled in general academic classes along with their participation in the HVAC shop classes. Career pathways There are a variety of job opportunities within the HVAC Industry: residential, industrial, commercial, sales, retail, management, etc. The skills acquired through this course allow students to choose any path within the industry that they find most appealing. Students with a positive academic record and demonstrated HVAC shop proficiency may be eligible for participation in the Cooperative Industrial Education (CIE) program, which gives students practical work experience after school or during an early release program and often leads to lucrative summer and/or permanent employment. Sample careers Environmental Systems Engineering Technician Energy Management Technician Boiler Technician HVAC System Repairperson HVAC Service Technician For more information visit Sussex.tec.nj.us. Applications are still being accepted; only online admission applications may be filed.