Get your hands on a career in heating & cooling!

HVAC/HRA professionals install, maintain, inspect, and repair heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems. This is a hands-on field, in which professionals respond to scheduled or on-call requests for service or installation of equipment. They may provide services to residential and commercial clients. These skilled professionals use problem-solving and mechanical skills to respond to the variety of situational factors and settings in which they work.

Job Outlook
  • $50k
    Median Salary for Michigan (Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers )
  • 970
    Projected Annual Job Openings in Michigan
  • 9%
    Growth in Michigan Jobs

Learn Hands-On

We don't expect you to learn from text books alone, which is why we've invested nearly $1 million in upgrades to our 5,500 square foot HRA lab. Here, you learn on real heating and refrigeration units, so that you are prepared to enter the workforce successfully and quickly. Our cohort-style approach means that you work together as a team with your fellow students, building relationships with one another and your instructors. Plus, you'll take your new skills into the community, installing and renovating heating and cooling systems for local individuals and businesses.

Train Fast

You can enter the workforce or transfer to a bachelor degree program quickly, because of specially-designed fast-track degrees and credentials that can be completed in just 30-weeks to two years. Our different pathways provide you with many options, and you should consider combining select pathways together to broaden your skills and employment opportunities. In fact, Mid Michigan College is one of the only community colleges to offer a geothermal systems advanced credential for HRA degree holders.

Your Success Matters

Mid's HRA Program provides rich, one-on-one learning experiences. HRA courses are purposefully kept small in number, so you get individualized support, appreciated for your unique skills, and connected to opportunities for job placement.

HRA Associate Degree Pathway

In just five semesters, you can complete your degree and enter the HRA field where skilled technicians are in-demand. You'll master the theories and skills related to heating, electricity, motors, refrigeration, and facilities maintenance, while building a broad base of knowledge and skills related to communication, career readiness, and technical math. An internship at a local business is also part of this degree--an important step in connecting you with local employment opportunities.

Facilities, Heating, & Electricity Training Credential Pathway

With just 26 credits required and in just three semesters, you can gain employable skills and complete a valuable internship at a local business with this training credential. Courses focus on the fundamental theories and skills related to electricity, motors, facilities maintenance, and heating in commercial and residential settings.

Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Training Credential Pathway

With just 26 credits required and in just three semesters, you can gain employable skills and complete a valuable internship at a local business with this training credential. Courses focus on the fundamental theories and skills related to electricity, motors, and refrigeration in commercial and residential settings.

Geothermal Systems Advanced Credential Pathway

These six targeted courses focus solely on geothermal systems. If you already hold a degree or training credential in HRA, you're eligible to add this advanced credential to your skill set.

Mid offers a variety of pathways to meet your goals and interests.

With an expanded focus that includes facilities maintenance and plumbing you'll gain a well-rounded knowledge base. Mid offers a 100% internship placement rate and graduates have achieved a 97.5% pass rate on industry licensure tests, meaning you'll be well prepared for real-world work.

Plus, we've invested $1 million in upgrades to our 5,500 square foot HRA lab where you can learn on heating and refrigeration units commonly used in commercial and residential properties.

FAST-TRACK OPTION!

Earn two HRA Training Credentials, which typically each take one year to complete, in just 10 months or 3 semesters. Ask your Mid Mentor about our Fast Track option today!

Industry-Recognized Certifications

Certification Partner Logos

Industry-Recognized Certifications from respected companies and organizations, like Snap-on, Trane, the EPA, and others, increases your employment potential by clearly demonstrating to employers the skills you have mastered. Learn more about these skill certifications below.

Industry-Recognized Certifications

You may be wondering how employers will know what skills you've mastered by completing your degree at Mid.

To highlight these skills, Mid has partnered with a variety of organizations to award industry-recognized skill certifications.

As part of this effort, Mid is affiliated with NC3, the National Coalition of Certification Centers, a nationwide network of education/training providers and corporations that develops, implements, and sustains industry-recognized certifications built on national skills standards. Industry-recognized certifications provide a return on your education investment through hands-on training using state of the art tools and equipment. These NC3-backed certifications are earned in addition to your Mid credential and increase your employment potential.

logo for national coalition of certification centers

  • The successful completion of the Snap-on Precision Measurement Instruments Certification enables graduates to demonstrate a solid understanding of the fundamentals of working with precision measurement instruments. The skills acquired during this comprehensive training are valuable tools for life that can lead to rewarding careers in a vast array of industries in the global marketplace.
  • Precision measuring is the cornerstone of quality in products and services many people rely upon each day. Starrett, Snap-on, and NC3 combined their industrial experience and expertise to create a certification that includes hands-on training on instruments that are vital to engineering, manufacturing, aerospace, power generation, and natural resources, to name a few. Those who earn this certification will be proficient in the use of a variety of instruments ranging from tapes and rules to calipers and micrometers.
  • Certification Content Includes:
    • Tape and Rule Measurement
    • Side Caliper Measurement
    • Gauge Measurement
    • Angle Measurement
    • Micrometer Measurement
    • Dial Gauge Measurement

  • The Snap-on Multimeter Certification is awarded to students who have been trained in the use of Snap-on advanced electrical monitoring equipment. The knowledge and experience gained in this critical discipline are tools for life essential to a successful career in critical industries such as automotive repair, transportation, wind power, manufacturing, HVAC, and robotics.
  • This certification includes training on the problem-solving capabilities of Snap-on digital multimeters — the same technology used by professionals in the workplace. Training is focused on subjects from basic applications to advanced troubleshooting. This certification provides a widely recognized endorsement of technical expertise and demonstrated achievement. When students successfully complete this Snap-on certification, they obtain one of the most requested skills in the industry today.
  • Certification Content Includes:
    • Multimeter controls and operation
    • Meter display readings and symbols
    • Importance of proper terminal connections
    • Basic applications
    • Troubleshooting techniques
    • Hands-on operation of Snap-on multimeter models:
    • EEDM504D auto ranging | EEDM525D auto ranging, true RMS | EEDM575D digital clamp on EEDM596D true RMS, USB to PC, graphing software | EEDM604D auto ranging, true RMS, CATIII certified, 650 meter certification
    • Lab exercises
    • Online testing

  • NC3 and Trane help shape tomorrow’s workforce through industry supported, hands-on certifications. Students receive an industry-validated NC3 certificate as proof of skills achievement that can offer enhanced employment potential and higher productivity on the job.
  • Airflow Certification Content Includes:
    • Understanding airflow characteristics & dynamics
    • Understanding duct systems, grills, registers and diffusers
    • Measuring duct pressures
    • Measuring air volume in CFM
    • Understanding applications in duct design and installation
    • Demonstrating the proper use of appropriate tools and test instruments
  • Refrigeration Diagnostics Certification Content Includes:
    • Understanding refrigerant cycle components & how they function
    • Understanding refrigerant charging and testing procedures
    • Demonstrating proper service procedures
    • Demonstrating proper troubleshooting techniques
    • Demonstrating the proper use of appropriate tools and test instruments
  • Variable Speed Motors Certification Content Includes:
    • Understanding motor design and components
    • Understanding applications and sequence of operation of various motors
    • Utilizing proper service procedures
    • Demonstrating proper steps and techniques in troubleshooting motor issues
    • Demonstrating the proper use of appropriate tools and test instruments
  • Air-to-Air Heat Pump Certification Content Includes:
    • Understanding the principles of the heat pump cycle
    • Understanding the operation of each component and the application of heat pump equipment
    • Demonstrating knowledge of dual fuel configurations
    • Understanding charging/troubleshooting procedures per the manufacturer’s specifications
    • Utilizing proper service procedures
    • Demonstrating the proper use of appropriate tools and test instruments
  •  

  • Founded in 1997, North American Technician Excellence (NATE) is the nation’s largest non-profit certification organization for heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration technicians.
  • NATE tests represent real world working knowledge of HVACR systems. Developed by a committee of industry experts nationwide, our NATE certification exams represent HVACR topics pertinent to contractors, educators, manufacturers, and utilities alike. NATE tests are rigorous, multiple-choice, knowledge-based tests which validate a technician’s knowledge.
  • Certification Content Includes:
    • Safety, Tools, and Soft Skills
    • Heat transfer and comfort
    • Electrical
    • Installation, service, and preventative maintenance
    • System design and components
    • Applied Knowledge
    • Refrigerant Recovery

  • EPA regulations (40 CFR Part 82, Subpart F) under Section 608 of the Clean Air Act require that technicians who maintain, service, repair, or dispose of equipment that could release ozone-depleting refrigerants into the atmosphere be certified. To work on stationary air conditioners and refrigeration systems, you must be certified under Section 608 of the Clean Air Act.
  • Certification Content Includes:
    • Environmental impacts
    • Clean Air Act
    • System-dependent vs self-contained equipment
    • Refrigerant states, pressures, gauges, service values, and leaks
    • Recovery techniques
    • Small, low-pressure, and high-pressure appliances

  • Seal Tight Gas Line Certification
"Thank you for the scholarship I received. Your support has helped me pay for college and has let me concentrate more on my studies and less on money. Because of your generosity, I have the assistance I need to pursue a college education. I really like studying heating and cooling and hope to have a career in the HVAC field."

— Tyler G., student

"Just wanted to thank you for a great experience! I wouldn't have taken this program anywhere else."

—Paul, student

"Congratulations to you and your students for the excellent work on the EPA Technician Certification Exam. In this notification letter from the Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute, you and your students were commended for achieving a 97.5 percent student pass rate. This success rate clearly outdistances the national average of 81 percent. The HRA Program continues to maintain the highest level of excellence as measured by the national standards. We are very proud of your program, and of your students' achievements. "

— Jerry Fribley, Dean

"Thank you so much for installing the new furnace in my home. It's a lot warmer around here now thanks to you guys!"

— Cathy, customer

Students Shine at Annual Student Showcase

FHRA Student Showcase

Dan: Our concept was to “catch the eye then blow the mind” all while demonstrating practical skills learned in the HRA lab. After multiple attempts we finally got the construction process right and the positive response from everyone validated months of hard work and failure. The showcase was a wonderful opportunity to share ones story and if I had the opportunity to speak to the young minds who attend in the future I would say this: Never let the fear of failure dictate your future, trust in yourself and as long as you lead with your heart, no decision that you make will be the wrong one.

Grant: As I approached my high school graduation I was up in the air, but I knew I wanted to choose a career in an industry that was growing. I landed on attending Mid and enrolled in the HRA Program. I have had nothing but a positive experience at Mid--everyone has been nice and helped me prepare for my future. The most beneficial thing I have experienced is the HRA Program Internship which allows you to work in the industry and gain valuable experience. My instructor has also made a significant impact on myself and my classmates. From the skills he has taught us to his high ethical standards and integrity, I can't thank him enough for preparing us to succeed.

HRA Student Awarded Head of the Class

FHRA Head-of-Class Student

Jesse Warner of Clare, recently received the Head of the Class award from Malco Products, a major tool manufacturer based in Annandale, Minnesota.

Jesse made his education a priority and completed his Associate Degree in Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning in just 10 months.

“Jesse never missed a day during the program and often arrived early and stayed late to complete projects,” noted Ron Holmes, HRA Lead Instructor. “He is the definition of success, and he exceeded all of our expectations of the program.”

This year marked the 13th for Malco Products’ student recognition program, Head of the Class. Since 2005, the program has recognized over 40,000 students attending over 500 technical schools across the U.S.A. and Canada.

“I’m humbled to receive this award,” shared Warner. “All of us in the program worked as a team, helped each other succeed, and committed to becoming graduates. I’m proud of the work we did during the program.”

Mid's HRA lab features real heating and refrigeration units for hands-on learning that prepares students to enter the workforce successfully and quickly. This proved true in Jesse’s case—J.E. Johnson, a large mechanical solutions firm based out of Midland, Michigan, hired him before his official graduation date.

 “I’m excited for the next step,” said Warner. “The skills I’ve learned, the recognition I’ve received, and the opportunities I’ve discovered by attending Mid have changed my outlook on the future.”

Related Programs & Pathways

CONTACT
Dean of Career & Workforce Education
CONTACT
Lead FHRA Instructor

Ron Holmes

Phone
(989) 386-6622 x590

rholmes@midmich.edu