CCRI Announces Heat-Pump Training Planned for 2027
Rhode Island is preparing to train more workers to install and service heat pumps through a new partnership between the Community College of Rhode Island and the state Office of Energy Resources.
Announced October 6, the initiative includes $200,000 from the energy office to develop training facilities and a curriculum for people entering the heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration industry. Student training is scheduled to begin in summer or fall 2027.
A laboratory at CCRI’s Lincoln Campus will feature ducted and ductless heat pumps, diagnostic equipment and electrical training systems. Students will practice troubleshooting mechanical and electrical problems using equipment designed to simulate conditions encountered in homes and businesses.
The curriculum will cover refrigeration fundamentals, piping, brazing and applications for cold climates. CCRI also plans a separate, 40-hour program for experienced professionals, covering installation, commissioning, service and maintenance. That course is expected to launch by September 2027.
The announcement comes as Rhode Island continues encouraging homeowners to replace fossil fuel heating with electric systems. According to the energy office, the initial federally funded phase of Clean Heat RI supported 4,114 completed heat pump projects and provided $20.9 million in incentives.
That initial funding has been allocated, and the incentive program now draws support from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.
For residents considering the technology, training additional installers could help support the state’s transition. Prospective students should watch CCRI for enrollment details as plans move forward, while homeowners can consult Clean Heat RI for current incentive eligibility and application information.
