Heat Pump and HVAC Training Network

4. Will the curriculum be suggested or mandated?

The curriculum we create for HVAC/HP programming is not obligatory.

5. What is the expected timeframe for implementation?

Implementation grants may build in a 'ramp-up' period of six months from the contract start date to ensure a successful rollout of programming. Estimated contract start dates are four to six months after the application deadline.

6. For colleges already implementing a project under the first solicitation, at what stage can they return to apply for additional training seats under this solicitation?

Community colleges already awarded implementation grants under the first solicitation are encouraged to apply under this solicitation to support additional training seats upon demonstration of relevant success metrics. Community colleges should have at least completed their first cohort under the previous solicitation before applying under this solicitation.

7. Where can the recording for the pre-application webinar be found?

MassCEC will record the webinar and post the recording and a PDF of the slide deck to this website page.

8. Are we allowed to work with outside partners to do training at their facilities and pay those agencies for staffing and training tuition?

Applicants may choose to present partnership approaches and can apply for all components of applicable funding to be executed through a partnership model. In situations where the training will be conducted at a location outside of the community college campus, it is important to detail the agreement between the partners by providing an MOU and information about how the partnership will achieve the goal of expanding access to training for community college students both in the near-term and with long-term program sustainability in mind.

9. May an applicant apply to offer a heat pump OR HVAC training program (one but not both)?

Applicants must demonstrate that the training centers will be equipped to provide instruction on heat pumps and mini-split installation and maintenance. This includes hands-on instruction in a lab setting on ground and air source heat pumps and mini-split technologies, in addition to a theoretical foundation of these technologies as part of classroom instruction.

10. May community college applicants partner with other community colleges for this initiative?

Applicants are welcome to submit applications that feature a partnership approach, but the details of those partnerships and the alignment with the RFP goals must be clearly documented. In situations where the training will be conducted at a location outside of the community college campus, it is important to detail the agreement between the partners by providing an MOU and information about how the partnership will achieve the goal of expanding access to training for community college students both in the near-term and with long-term program sustainability in mind.

11. Space Requirements in the RFP state that a minimum space of 1,500 square feet is needed to create a functional training lab, and in most cases 2,000 square feet or larger is preferable. Given campus space constraints, would training space in the range of 1,000 sq feet be considered?

The space recommendations were based on desktop research, discussions with staff at current community college and vocational high school programs that have HVAC labs, and consultations with equipment providers. Those who we spoke to said that there were training spaces closer to 1,000 square feet, but they often highlighted struggling with the space limitations. It is a recommendation and something worth considering, but this information does not prohibit applicants from proceeding with an application that utilizes a sub-1,500 square foot training space. However, it may mean that more care will be required in designing the training floor plan.