The Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration (HVACR) Technician Skill Standards were developed in 1997 and recognized by the TSSB at its May 15, 2000 meeting at the request of Kahn Mechanical Contractors in Dallas, TX on behalf of the Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Technical Advisory Committee.  In compliance with TSSB policy that states that skill standards must be renewed and updated every five years, the skill standards underwent a thorough review and amendment in 2004. The TSSB granted recognition of the amended skill standards at its July 13, 2004 meeting.

Development

The HVACR Technician Skill Standards development project was conducted 1997 by the Dallas County Community College District. The skill standards were developed by an panel of subject matter experts (SMEs) who developed work-oriented data and identified the occupational skills, knowledge, and conditions required to perform an HVACR Technician’s tasks.

Companies whose employees participated in the development of the skill standards include: Kahn Mechanical Contractors of Dallas, TD Services of Dallas, Air Rite Air Conditioning of Houston, and Lennox Industries.

The skill standards were reviewed in 2004 in compliance with TSSB policy. They were amended to update occupational skills, knowledge, and conditions, to clarify terms and performance criteria, and to address recent technology changes in work conditions. Experts also combined and/or deleted several key activities to describe more accurately the tasks required of an entry-level technician.

Importance to Texas

HVACR Technicians diagnose, install, service, and repair heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems. They are employed in the residential and commercial construction industries and in the repair and maintenance service industry. Alone, the construction industry is expected to increase its overall employment by almost 23% through 2014. HVACR Technician positions will likely be included as part the overall increase. Strictly within the HVAC installation and repair industry, employment of HVACR Technicians is expected to increase by almost 30% through 2012, with most of the openings created each year due to growth.

According to Texas Workforce Commission data, HVACR Technicians in Texas earn an average hourly wage of almost $18.00.