Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut Calif. has just graduated its first HVAC/Mechanical Controls Class using building controls Training Modules and products contributed by Siemens Building Technologies Division. The program was developed for the school by Rick Creed of Air-Ex Air Conditioning in Pomona, a Siemens Value-Added Partner.
The program which falls under the Industrial and Welding Departments at the college was funded under a grant by the California Department of Labor. Currently the course is offered as a government program only to those either underemployed or unemployed. According to Creed however, the college is planning on financing the program itself in mid-2012 and intends to offer it to all students.
The program course work is based on Siemens BACnet Training Modules as well as controls and other Siemens Talon product line devices. Classes are held in a dedicated building that offers five zones to simulate different buildings and building HVAC control issues. The facility enables students not only to learn programming but also installation techniques and controls troubleshooting in a real-world environment.
The entire program is a two year process. Once enrolled, students go through five phases of training—not only at Mt. San Antonio but also at two other colleges: Chaffey College and Rio Hondo College in Rancho Cucamonga and Pico Rivera, Calif. respectively. During the course, students are treated as if they were employed full time, exposed to a real-world working environment which includes an interview process to enter the program. Upon graduation the students receive an Associate’s Degree in Mechanical and Industrial Arts. BD+C
Related Stories
| Apr 11, 2014
First look: KPF's designs for DreamWorks in the massive Shanghai DreamCenter
Two blocks of offices will be centerpiece of new cultural and lifestyle district in the West Bund Media Port.
| Apr 11, 2014
Start your engines: Ferrari plans to build first ever hotel
Clad in the carmaker's signature "Ferrari red," the hotel will resemble the grill and hood of one of its iconic cars.
| Apr 10, 2014
Collegiate sports becoming greener: Survey
A survey conducted from May through June 2013 by the University of Arizona Office of Sustainability and published by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC)* finds that more collegiate athletic teams are adopting green and sustainable practices in operation of their sports facilities.
| Apr 10, 2014
Submit Your Project for a Bluebeam eXtreme Award!
Bluebeam is holding the second annual Bluebeam eXtreme Awards at the 2014 Bluebeam eXtreme Conference in Hollywood, Calf.
| Apr 9, 2014
How patient-centered medical homes can help healthcare providers and patients
Beyond reducing the number of uninsured Americans, the Affordable Care Act is driving new types of healthcare facilities, especially patient-centered medical homes.
| Apr 9, 2014
Colossal aquarium in China sets five Guinness World Records
With its seven salt and fresh water aquariums, totaling 12.87 million gallons, the Chimelong Ocean Kingdom theme park is considered the world’s largest aquarium.
| Apr 9, 2014
Gregory Hodkinson appointed head of Arup Group
Hodkinson has spent his professional career at Arup and brings more than 40 years' experience in large-scale projects to the new role, including several in the US and Canada.
| Apr 9, 2014
5 important trends shaping today’s hotel construction market
AEC firms, developers, and investors worldwide are bullish on hotels. Our hospitality Giants share what’s new in this fast-morphing sector.
| Apr 9, 2014
Steel decks: 11 tips for their proper use | BD+C
Building Teams have been using steel decks with proven success for 75 years. Building Design+Construction consulted with technical experts from the Steel Deck Institute and the deck manufacturing industry for their advice on how best to use steel decking.
| Apr 8, 2014
Gehry, Foster unveil plans for Battersea Power Station redevelopment [slideshow]
Phase 3 of the massive redevelopment of the London landmark will include more than 1,300 residential units, a 160-room hotel, and 350,000 sf of retail space.