New Equipment Purchased with Capital Skills Grant

April 4, 2023

Franklin Cummings Tech is thankful to be the recipient of a Massachusetts Capital Skills Grant that will help grow our Construction Management, HVAC&R Technology, and Building Automation Systems programs by enhancing the college’s innovative and collaborative learning environment focused on training students in green/renewable energy to meet emerging workforce needs.

With the $267,529 grant, the college purchased two new training simulators for students in the HVAC&R Technology program, new hybrid drafting-computer workstation tables for the Construction Management program, and new equipment for the Building Automation Systems program. The equipment was recently delivered and installed.

In the Construction Management program lab, the new tables provide much more efficient workspaces and storage areas. Program chair Leslie Tuplin said the new tables have transformed the Construction Management lab into a bright, airy environment that is ideal for students studying green building practices.

In the HVAC&R Technology lab, the new TU-601 Multi-Head Mini Split Heat Pump Training Unit and TU-406C Residential Heat Pump Trainer are helping teach the skills necessary to capitalize on the growing electrification of HVAC to reduce global warming.

HVAC&R program Lecturer Thomas Pagliarulo said the new simulators allow instructors to simply toggle a few switches to simulate the types of system failures that students are learning how to diagnose and repair. The units’ open design makes it easy for students to see and understand exactly what is happening inside.

In this short video, Pagliarulo demonstrates how the trainers make his job easier: