The Delaware Tech Terry Campus partnered with Trane and the National Coalition of Certification Centers (NC3) to create the Trane Center of Excellence, a specialized lab and classroom that is home to the College’s building automation systems (BAS) program. The Center, just the fourth of its kind in the country, will also support credit and non-credit students in their pursuits of nationally-recognized NC3 certifications.
An official dedication ceremony for the Center took place October 29, 2015. Funding for the Center was provided by U.S. Department of Labor grants from Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training (TAACCCT) initiatives.
The lab provides easy access to commercial air handling units, a boiler and chiller, with work stations that allow students to connect a diagnostic laptop to each control system. Instructors can run various simulations on the systems to help students learn how to communicate with the system, interpret messages within the system, make modifications, perform maintenance and best utilize the system for maximum benefit and efficiency.
“There is a need for highly-skilled technicians who can install, program, maintain and service the computerized control systems and heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems used in today’s high-performance buildings,” said June Turansky, campus director and vice president. “The Trane Center of Excellence will allow us to properly prepare our students to be job ready upon graduation or completion of their certificate program.”
In addition to the lab, Delaware Tech and Trane collaborated on new curriculum and certifications around BAS. Only a handful of community colleges across the country offer a BAS associate degree program, and it is only offered in Delaware on the Delaware Tech Terry Campus.
“This program will enable students to train on the latest technology used by the industry, helping them to gain the skills needed for high demand, technically advanced careers,” said Shawn Doherty, Sales Leader at Seiberlich Trane Energy Services.
