Facilities Maintenance Technology
Breathe Easy with a Fresh Start
Take charge of maintaining the HVAC/R systems for residential homes or large building complexes with your degree from PPCC. You’ll analyze variables such as outdoor air temperature, heating and cooling equipment, and computerized system controls that are integral to providing a pleasant and safe environment for families, or businesses with hundreds of employees. While most of us take our indoor environments for granted, a facilities maintenance technician knows there’s more to building maintenance than just fresh air.
You might choose this career if you are interested in working hands-on to maintain and improve the indoor physical environment in residential, commercial, and industrial buildings. Employees in this field use a wide variety of hand and power tools; diagnostic and testing equipment; and HVAC systems and parts to service and maintain different facilities. There is a lot of variety in the work, with good pay and fringe benefits and opportunities for advancement. If you choose the Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, & Refrigeration degree emphasis, you will acquire skills for both residential and commercial buildings. Qualified technicians work in large and small corporations, for small businesses, or often start their own business.
If you have good mechanical aptitude, like to work with your hands, and have good analytical and troubleshooting skills, you could find a lucrative career in the field of Facilities Maintenance. Want to find out if this career is for you? Check it out on the web at http://www.acinet.org/, and select Occupation Information.
Program Description
The Facilities Maintenance program at Pikes Peak Community College has options for students who are new to the field, as well as advanced training for experienced technicians who wish to advance in their careers. The degree program offers more extensive skills training with a broader background in facilities maintenance, and will generally lead to jobs with more responsibilities and higher wages. You may start with a certificate then continue on to complete the Associate of Applied Science degree.
If you are new to the field, you will begin learning the full range of residential heating, cooling, installation, maintenance and troubleshooting, and will earn your one-year certificate in Facilities Maintenance – Residential. Continuing on to the HVAC&R degree emphasis will provide you with advanced training in commercial and industrial HVAC&R, digital and pneumatic controls, troubleshooting and more. The Industry Upgrade certificate is designed for technicians currently employed in the HVAC & R field who desire to upgrade their skills.
Career Path Notes
The courses are constantly updated to include discussion of new technologies and equipment found in large modern facilities.
Program Information
Click here for program specific information.
For More Information
Call the Division of Communications, Humanities, and Technical Studies at 719-502-3200.
Employment Opportunities
The certificates and Associate of Applied Science degree provide training for entry-level employment as a Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration (HVAC&R) Technician, Energy Conservation Technician, Air Conditioning Mechanic, Heating and Air Conditioning Installer/Servicer, Residential Service Installer, and Facilities Maintenance Helper/Technician, among others.
If you are already working in the field but want to get additional skill certification and advance in your career, the Industry Upgrade certificate will give you the training you need to take on the new technologies and equipment in corporate and industrial facilities.
Earnings Outlook
In Colorado, the median hourly salary in 2005 for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics was $18.77, with a salary range of $11.44 – $27.84. From 2004 to 2014, there are expected to be an average of 230 job openings per year. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Financial Aid
Advising
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Find Out More About Your Future Career
Contact Career Planning and Advising at (719) 502-3232
www.ppcc.edu/Advising
Associate of Applied Science Degree
1st Semester - Fall
HVA 102 Basic Refrigeration
HVA 105 Electricity for HVAC&R
HVA 110 Fundamentals of Gas Heating
HVA 113 Refrigerant Recovery Training
MAT 107 Career Math
Semester 1 Credit Hours 16
2nd Semester - Spring
HVA 121 Residential Refrigeration
HVA 132 Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Controls
HVA 142 Residential Air Conditioning
HVA 143 Residential HVAC Trouble Shooting
PSY 100 Psychology of the Workplace
Semester 2 Credit Hours 19
3rd Semester - Fall
COM 217 Group Communication
CSC 105 Introduction to Computers
HVA 201 Heating for Commercial
HVA 231 Pneumatic Controls
HVA 233 Advanced Refrigeration
Semester 3 Credit Hours 17
4th Semester - Spring
ENG 131 Technical Writing
HVA 204 Direct Digital Controls
HVA 222 HVAC&R Systems Trouble Shooting
HVA 241 Advanced Air Conditioning
Semester 4 Credit Hours 15
Total Credit Hours 67
Certificates
Facilities Maintenance - Residential
Industry Upgrade