BUCKHANNON – If you have been looking for a sign to make a career change, this is it. Fred W. Eberle Technical Center is now accepting applications for the first-ever HVAC Technician course on their campus in Buckhannon. 

The Fred Eberle Administrative Council gathered on the campus of Fred Eberle Tuesday to kick-start the program and officially welcome the new HVAC Technician Instructor, Dakota Workman.

Rebecca Bowers-Call, Director of FETC, expresses great excitement for the upcoming academic year as students and staff gather together on Thursday, August 18 for the first day of classes.

“I just want to wish our neighboring counties a great start to school,” said Dr. Sara Stankus, Superintendent of Upshur County Schools. “I tell everyone this is always like Christmas to me because we get really excited to bring all the kids back, and I know the parents are excited to bring all the kids back. This is what we’re all about. We just love what we do and I think this is important work, it’s important to our children and to our community too.”

This hands-on course “introduces students to the knowledge base and technical skills of the Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning industry including certified curriculum taught throughout eight courses,” as explained in the curriculum. 

Course objectives include, but are not limited to; troubleshooting, piping practices, air quality equipment, and duct systems.

The HVAC program offers these courses to high school and adult students. High school students from Barbour, Lewis and Upshur counties can apply through their respective high school counselors or directly with members of the FETC administration. 

Entrance requirements for interested adult applicants include a high school diploma or equivalent and submitting an application. After the initial application is received by FETC administration, the course instructor, Dakota Workman, and administrators will contact interested applicants for an interview. 

Once accepted, this learning opportunity may be completed on a full-time or part-time curriculum. Full-time students may complete the 1080 clock hour course in one year while part-time students may complete the classroom time requirement in two years. 

At the conclusion of this program, students are eligible to receive the OSHA 10-hour Construction Certificate, EPA refrigerant, and the NATE certificate. Job opportunities could be provided to students showing great potential in the classroom through area apprentice and internship opportunities with HVAC contractors in the area.

“I think it’s important for all of our programs to have internship and apprenticeship connections to the field, not just in the classroom,” said Dr. Stankus. “You get come connection to business in the industry. That’s the idea for all of these [Fred Eberle] programs.”

Contact the FETC office for more information about available programs, tuition rates and financial aid for the HVAC Technician program. Students interested in applying for the FETC HVAC Technician program are encouraged to call the front office at 304-472-1259 or contact FETC online. The campus is located at 208 Morton Avenue in Buckhannon.