The environmental systems and refrigeration technology (ESRT) program at WVC offers a high level of instruction and prepares graduates to seek a wide variety of entry- level jobs. These include service technicians, mechanics, maintenance personnel, application engineers, electronic temperature controls specialists and environmental systems designers. Positions may be available in agricultural storage facilities, office buildings, shopping malls, schools, industrial plants and many other facilities around the world.
The ESRT program blends traditional classroom instruction with practical, hands-on lab work. Classes include refrigeration principles, applied electricity, air conditioning, heating systems, control fundamentals, DDC and PLC controls, boiler systems, and basic welding. Additional course work emphasizing energy efficiency includes efficient HVAC systems, energy load calculations, commissioning and TAB (Test, Adjust and Balancing). It is recommended that students start the program in fall quarter. The second year of the program is designed to allow students to work full time while in the program, by taking courses at night and short seminars offered on Thursdays/ Fridays and/or evenings. The final quarter of the program includes an internship and an independent capstone project emphasizing students’ career aspirations. With permission, some on-the-job training internships may be substituted for lab work.
Before entering the ESRT program, students are strongly advised to complete one year of high school algebra or its equivalent. Course work in computers, basic electricity/ electronics and welding are also beneficial prior to entering the program. Prior to entry into the program, documentation of computer literacy is required. If students complete the ESRT associate of technical science (ATS) degree, they can earn electrical hours toward the Washington State Labor & Industry (06A) Electrical HVAC Specialty License. Upon graduation, students are also expected to have the OSHA 10 HVAC Safety card, the EPA 608 Refrigerant Handling Universal License and a current first aid card with CPR.
Total Credits for Basic HVACR and Controls Certificate of Completion: 53
Total Credits for Commercial/Industrial HVACR and DDC Controls Certificate of Completion: 53
(To receive the Commercial / Industrial HVACR and DDC Controls Certificate of Completion, you must complete all three quarters of second-year classes, plus OCED 102 or higher, MATH 100 or higher, and BCT 116 or their equivalents)
Total Credits for Associate of Technical Science Degree: 106
Program outcomes
Students who complete the ATS in Environmental Systems and Refrigeration Technology will have the skills and knowledge to:
- Obtain a 608 refrigerant license for employment and a Washington State HVACR Specialty Electrical 06A License.
- Work in the Refrigeration or HVAC industries as an entry level employee.
- Demonstrate the ability to work on refrigeration control circuits
- Troubleshoot an air conditioning and heat pump system.
- Service commercial refrigeration equipment
- Practice on the job safety precautions as it relates to refrigeration systems, including lock out tag out, fall prevention, and arc flash protection.
- Become employed in the HVACR industries using skills and techniques geared toward the refrigeration industry jobs
- Intelligently discuss various type of HVACR systems during a job interviews
- Obtain a RETA CARO entry-level license.
The ESRT two year ATS degree qualifies students to work in many various areas of the refrigeration industry including residential, commercial, institutional, and industrial as installers, operators, and maintenance personnel.