The Heating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HARV) Program at Santa Fe College has long stood as one of the best in the country. The open access program offers students a chance to complete their degree in just two years with intensive hands-on training. Recently, the HVAC Technical Program received a substantial donation from Daikin, the world’s leading producer of air conditioning and heating equipment. The company donated between $30,000-$50,000 to the SF HVAC program for the purpose of training students.
“This is huge,” said Art Grant, HVAC instructor, “About 40 percent of the air conditioners and heaters in the world are manufactured by Daikin. To be able to train our students in the future of HVAC is incredible.”
This is the first partnership that Daikin has with any post-secondary institution in the United States. Santa Fe College will pilot the program and, if successful, Daikin will create similar programs around the country. Students who graduate from the HVAC certificate program will also be recognized as Daikin technicians, something that will “highly increase and maintain job placement for SF Graduates,” according to Grant.
The equipment is already on campus and will be installed by SF students.
“We were fortunate enough to have All Florida Electrical donate all of the Electrical equipment needed,” said Grant. “We then will have our Electrical students install the equipment and our HVAC students will install the actual Daikin units.”
Jane Parkin, Director of Construction and Technical Programs, has been in contact with Daikin for years.
“This is an incredible opportunity,” said Parkin. “To be able to train our students on this high-tech equipment will give them the cutting edge advantage over other students.”
The equipment is located in Building H, and students and staff are welcome to stop by and take a look at this incredible machinery that will provide a wonderful experience for so many SF students.
For more information about the Daikin Equipment or the HARV Program, contact Jane Parkin, Director of the Construction and Technical Programs, at 352-395-5363 or jane.parkin@sfcollege.edu.
