ARLINGTON, Va. — The Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute (ARI) has announced an expanded Web site dedicated to HVACR education, aimed at students, parents, instructors, counselors, schools, technicians, and contractors interested in education and career recruitment information.

According to ARI, the site, located at www.ari.org/edu, contains hundreds of pages of information about education activities, including:

  • Information about ARI's career recruitment initiatives, including the opportunity for contractors and HVACR training schools to order a recruitment video, which can be used at "Career Days" or by schools to attract students to their programs;

  • Information about how to sign up to take the EPA technician certification exam;

  • ARI's Industry Competency Exams (ICE), which measure industry-agreed standards of basic competency for entry-level technicians;

  • The Partnership for Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Accreditation (PAHRA) program, which awards accreditation to HVACR programs that have met and/or exceeded industry-validated standards;

  • Information for educators about ARI's equipment donation program;

  • Information about the Council of Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Educators (CARE), an organization dedicated to HVACR instruction; and

  • Links to other education Web sites.

    "An additional 20,000 to 22,000 technicians and installers are needed each year to work in this fast-paced, ever growing, exciting, and rewarding industry," said Ed Dooley, ARI's vice president of Communications and Education. "This expanded Web site will be used to inform and educate parents, teachers, and students across America about education, training, and recruitment activities. The HVACR industry offers variety, job security, respect, upward mobility, rewarding salary, and the satisfaction of being in a job that improves the quality of life for millions of people."

    Publication date: 05/12/2003