WARWICK, R.I. – The Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) and the Office of Energy Resources (OER) have announced the development and launch of a new HVAC/R and Heat Pump Workforce Training program. CCRI has secured $200,000 from OER to develop a new HVAC/R and Heat Pump Workforce Training program for students scheduled to launch in the summer/fall of 2027. The initiative is designed to build the skilled workforce capacity necessary to support the state’s building electrification and heat pump efforts.

The $200,000 will fund critical infrastructure, establishing a hands-on instructional environment equipped with field-installable ducted and ductless heat pump systems, modern diagnostic instrumentation, and electrical learning systems. Additionally, the funding supports the development of a comprehensive new-hire HVAC/R curriculum. This curriculum will serve as a pre-apprenticeship pathway into the industry, heavily focusing on refrigeration principles, brazing and piping, and cold-climate applications.

“Providing the tools and educational training opportunity for students interested in career fields within the energy sectors is important,” said Governor Dan McKee. This new HVAC and heat pump program that CCRI and OER are collaborating to launch in 2027 is a smart long-term investment in providing students and workforce with a pathway in an important and growing employment sector.”

"As the state works to meet its climate goals, we need a skilled workforce ready to install and maintain the technology that will get us there,” said CCRI President Rosemary A. Costigan, Ph.D., RN. “CCRI has always been where Rhode Islanders come to build the skills our economy needs, and as the state moves toward cleaner heating, we're proud to help train the workforce that will make that transition possible.”

For those already in the field, CCRI will create and launch a 40-hour Heat Pump Installation, Commissioning, Service and Maintenance program targeting existing HVAC/R professionals. The college will launch the new program by September of 2027.

“OER has launched over $90 million in heat pump program investments over the past few years, supporting over 5,000 installations to date,” said Acting State Energy Commissioner Chris Kearns. “These heat pump programs continue to support an important and growing sector of the state’s clean energy economy and emissions-reduction efforts. This partnership between OER and CCRI will help build the next generation of skilled workers as the heat pump sector continues to grow in Rhode Island and the region.”

Inside the newly outfitted Lincoln Campus lab, trainees will get hands-on experience with the exact types of equipment used in Rhode Island homes and businesses today. Instructors will use specialized training units to safely simulate electrical and mechanical issues, giving students real-world practice in troubleshooting and fixing problems. For current professionals, the program will quickly build on their existing skills by diving into advanced topics like inverter technology and dual-fuel optimization.

Ultimately, this new training program helps Rhode Island with advancing the state’s Act on Climate objectives. Growing the local workforce of skilled HVAC/R mechanics and installers is a vital step in making sure these new, eco-friendly heating systems are installed properly and built to last as the state moves away from fossil fuels.

About OER
The Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources’ mission is to lead the state toward a clean, affordable, reliable, and equitable energy future. OER develops policies and programs that respond to the state's evolving energy needs, while advancing environmental sustainability, energy security, and a vibrant clean energy economy. OER is committed to working with public- and private-sector stakeholders to ensure that all Rhode Islanders have access to cost-effective, resilient, and sustainable energy solutions.