ChallengeLike many technical education schools, the HVAC equipment

in the training labs at Gateway Technical College was out-

dated, with many of the pieces more than twenty years old,

often donated by area residents after upgrading their homes

or businesses. At the same time, the college recognized their

infrastructure was aging, with mechanical systems nearing the

end of their useful life. In keeping with its mission, the

college wished to advance its commitment to sustainability by

utilizing energy-efficient systems, while preparing students to

become valued workers in the community.

SolutionGateway Technical College and Trane joined forces to replace

aging equipment with new, operationally reliable energy-

efficient systems and collaborate on their common goal of

advancing career and technical training by establishing

advanced HVAC classrooms and working labs, otherwise

known as a Center of Excellence (CoE), to improve desired

outcomes for their graduates.

Closing the skills gap

To bridge the gap between education and industry workforce

needs, Gateway and Trane worked hand-in-hand to enhance

the college’s career and technical training within the HVAC

program by elevating training to the level required by

industry. Working together, along with the National Coalition

Gateway Technical College Trane partnership helps to better prepare tomorrow’s workforceKenosha, Wisconsin

Gateway Technical College collaborates with communities in Kenosha, Racine, and Walworth counties inWisconsin to ensure economic growth and viability by providing education, training, leadership, and technologicalresources to meet the changing needs of students, employers, and communities. The college offers instructionalprograms from its campuses, and through online courses, to approximately 29,000 students annually.

of Certification Centers (NC3), a strong public-private

partnership was formed in order to develop, implement and

sustain industry-recognized portable certifications.

To enable Gateway students to excel in the HVAC industry,

the HVAC program was enhanced by adding instruction in

building automation controls, commercial refrigeration and

commercial HVAC systems, which were not previously part of

the college’s offering. “The more we can align the academic

content of a program with industry recognized credentials

and industry validation, the closer our students will be to

becoming successful in competing for jobs,” said Dr. Bryan

Albrecht, president, Gateway Technical College.

Gateway Technical College students enjoy a hands-on learning

experience with new equipment and the latest technologies.

January 2013Case study

Updating the technology

Once the HVAC program’s new direction was established,

work began to update the college’s training labs in order to

complete the transformation. Gateway Technical College

administrators knew equipment from even ten years ago is

dramatically different than equipment of today, and that

when its students entered the workforce, they would be on

the front lines of an industry that continually updates its

technology to meet emerging challenges. It was important to

the college to offer its students the opportunity to gain

experience with the latest technology.

Trane and Gateway worked together to determine which lab

equipment would best prepare the workforce of tomorrow.

Trane provided the college with advanced, high-efficiency

HVAC systems, including rooftop units and commercial

chillers, along with Trane Tracer Summit® building automation

systems. The training pieces included both traditional wired

equipment, as well as advanced wireless technologies,

creating a technically advanced HVAC Center of Excellence.

Supporting workforce development

Trane is serving as an exclusive industry sponsor and advisor

of the National Coalition of Certification Centers (NC3), a

network of education providers and corporations that validate

new and emerging technology skills to advance workforce

development. Gateway is a founding member of NC3 and is

nationally recognized for their exemplary work developing

advanced technology centers on their campuses.

“We recognize the need for a technically strong work force

and support progressive educational institutions like Gateway

that focus on providing the skills and certification programs

needed to prepare the next workforce generation,” said Greg

Josefchuk, strategic programs leader for Trane. “We are very

excited to collaborate with Gateway, NC3 and other career

and technical education organizations across the country.”

ResultsGateway Technical College and Trane are working in

partnership to better prepare the workforce of tomorrow. A

rigorous program, combined with updated training labs

featuring the newest equipment and advanced technologies,

are ensuring that graduates possess the skills, training and

validation required by the industry.

“Trane has shown us technologies, installations and product

manufacturing that we have never seen before,” said Larry

Hobbs, HVAC instructor, Gateway Technical College. “They

have broadened our horizons, and it has been a wonderful

experience for us.”

“As we work with Trane, we will not only grow the way we

develop student programs, but we will also become a much

more efficient and energy conscious college,” said Albrecht.

Gateway’s commercial HVAC classroom and lab was updated with new

equipment and technology to align with the established curriculum.

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CASE-SLX336-EN January 10, 2013