Launch Your HVAC Career This Summer
5-Week, 25-Day HVAC Technician Apprentice Program for Mercer County CTE Junior Students.
25 DAYS
July 6 – Aug 7 (Monday-Friday)
Mon, Wed, Fri: In-Person at The Training Center 8:30AM - 4:30PM (lunch served).
Tue & Thurs: Virtual training (8:30AM -4:30 PM)
NO COST
Program fully funded by PSE&G.
Eligible Students Pay Nothing.
200 TRAINING HOURS
Accelerate Your HVAC Skills with Advanced Training
The Accelerated HVAC Technician Apprentice Program (TAP) is an advanced hands-on HVAC training program built specifically for Mercer County CTE students who have completed their first year of HVAC education.
This 25-day summer program combines in-person shop days (Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays) with virtual classes (Tuesdays, Thursdays). You’ll learn core HVAC skills and actively perform repairs and installations, gaining real-world experience working with the same equipment technicians use in the field. Dive deep into heat pump technology, electrical circuitry and schematics, residential and commercial systems, refrigerant cycle diagnostics, and more. Virtual classes focus on the business of the trade. You will learn OSHA 30 safety training, financial literacy, and build the workplace habits employers demand, including conflict resolution, team communication, and professional presentation.
With a low 6:1 student-to-teacher ratio, you get the personalized coaching needed to learn the advanced skills of the trade. Students graduate field-ready and fully equipped with their EPA 608 certification, HFO/A2L Safety certification, and OSHA 30-Hour Construction card.
Program Schedule & Class Details
This 25-day program runs Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, from July 6 to August 7. Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays are dedicated to hands-on training at our HVAC lab in Wrightstown, NJ, while Tuesdays and Thursdays are reserved for virtual classroom training. There is no cost to eligible students, and all tools, books, and materials are provided.
-
Summer 2026 TAP Program:
Length: 25 Days (July 6 to August 7)
Class Days: Monday through Friday
In-Person Shop Days: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays
Virtual Class Days: Tuesdays and Thursdays
Times: 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM (Lunch is provided on in-person days)
Total Training Hours: 200 Hours
Student-to-Teacher Ratio: 6:1
Cost: There is no cost for eligible students. The program is fully funded through a partnership with PSE&G and The Training Center.
Includes: All tools, materials, books, certification exams, and LMS access
Location: In-person days are held at our HVAC lab (113 Monmouth Road, Wrightstown, NJ 08562). Virtual classes are completed online.
What You Graduate With:
Upon successful completion of the program, students will receive:
HVAC Certificate of Completion
EPA 608 Certification
HFO/A2L Refrigerant Safety Certification
OSHA 30 Construction Card
-
This program is available for all eligible students. The requirements for eligibility include:
You are a current junior or senior enrolled in a Mercer County CTE HVAC program
You have completed at least one year of HVAC training
You are available Monday, Wednesday, and Friday: July 6 through August 7, 2026 (8:00 AM – 4:00 PM)
You are committed to a full-day, professional training environment
You are motivated to enter the HVAC workforce
-
In-Person Classes are 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM (Monday, Wednesday, Friday)
MODULE 1 – HVAC Electrical
Day 1: July 6 (Monday): Initial Assessment & Electrical Schematics
Day 2: July 8 (Wednesday): Multimeter Mastery & Component ID
Day 3: July 10 (Friday): Circuit Tracing & Systematic Troubleshooting
Day 4: July 13 (Monday): LOTO Safety & Module 1 Assessment
MODULE 2 – EPA 608 Certification
Day 5: July 15 (Wednesday): EPA 608 Universal Exam Day
MODULE 3 – A2L Safety Certification
Day 6: July 17 (Friday): HFO/A2L Refrigerant Safety Training & Certification
MODULE 4 & 5 – Refrigeration & Copper
Day 7: July 20 (Monday): Vapor-Compression Cycle & Superheat/Subcooling
Day 8: July 22 (Wednesday): Evacuation, Leak Testing & Charging on Live Systems
Day 9: July 24 (Friday): Fault Diagnosis & Line Set Fabrication
MODULE 6 – Ductwork & Sheet Metal
Day 10: July 27 (Monday): Duct Design, Airflow & Sheet Metal Fabrication
MODULE 6 & 7 – Ductwork / Heat Pump
Day 11: July 29 (Wednesday): Ductwork Assessment & Heat Pump Positioning
MODULE 7 – Heat Pump Installation
Day 12: July 31 (Friday): Line Sets, Electrical Connections & System Evacuation
MODULE 7 & 8 – Heat Pump / Furnace
Day 13: Aug 3 (Monday): Heat Pump Commissioning & Gas Furnace Sequence
MODULE 8 & 9 – Furnace Diagnostics / Practicals
Day 14: Aug 5 (Wednesday): Safety Controls, Combustion Analysis & Practical Exam
MODULE 9 – Graduation Practicals
Day 15: Aug 7 (Friday): Comprehensive Field-Ready Practicals & Career Prep
-
Safety is our #1 value, and we conduct this program with the attention and care each student deserves. The Training Center is an accredited and state-approved trade school. We have been delivering hands-on career training programs since 1982 with thousands of successful graduates. We take training quality and safety very seriously. If any unsafe actions are observed, all training will be stopped and not continued until it can be determined safety conditions meet our strict standards.
This program is made possible by the partnership between PSE&G, Apex Solutions Group, and The Training Center
Not Your Average Summer Program
Gain in-demand skills by working directly on the equipment and systems you will use in the field. This real-world experience builds your confidence to tackle the daily challenges HVAC technicians face on the job.
Hands-on Training
Graduate the program certified and fully equipped with the skills employers require. You will leave the program field-ready and trained on the latest industry technologies, ready to start a successful HVAC career.
Graduate Field-Ready
With a low 3:1 to 6:1 max student-to-teacher ratio, you won't get lost in the crowd. You receive the personal, one-on-one coaching to build the technical foundation required to succeed as a professional technician.
Small Class Sizes
What You Earn
This federally required certification allows you to legally purchase, handle, and recover refrigerants. It is the credential every professional HVAC technician needs to operate safely in the field.
Official EPA 608 Certification
The industry is rapidly moving to A2L refrigerants. This certification proves to employers you are qualified and safely prepared to work with the next generation of refrigerants and HVAC equipment.
HFO / A2L Safety Certification
Earn an official HVAC Certificate of Completion and a detailed transcript. This provides hiring managers with documented proof of your hands-on training, HVAC skills, and technical capabilities.
HVAC Training Certificate
This advanced credential signifies comprehensive worksite safety training. Holding an OSHA 30 card is highly valued by commercial and industrial contractors and prepares you for leadership.
OSHA 30 Construction Card
Top Performers Award
Professional HVAC Tool Bag ($900 Value)
The top-performing student of the program will earn a complete, professional-grade HVAC tool bag and tool set at graduation valued at $900. This is a performance award, issued based on demonstrated technical skill, positive attitude, strong work ethic, and effort across all 15 days. Every student is eligible. Every training day is your opportunity.
Hands-On Skills You Will Learn
This 25-day program delivers essential theory while emphasizing intensive hands-on shop training because that is how you truly learn the trade. You will troubleshoot, diagnose, and repair live equipment to build the core skills to succeed in HVAC. The outline below breaks down the in-person hands-on training topics you will learn.
-
Begin with a hands-on baseline assessment to identify your individual strengths and areas of focus. You will dive straight into reading and interpreting real electrical schematics and wiring diagrams used in the field.
-
Get full hands-on practice using multimeters for every mode and use case. You will identify, test, and understand how to work with key HVAC electrical components, including contactors, relays, capacitors, and transformers.
-
Learn to trace circuits on live training boards. You will develop a repeatable, systematic process for fault diagnosis so you can confidently tackle electrical issues on any service call.
-
Apply strict Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) protocols and proper electrical safety procedures required on every job site. You will close out the electrical module by completing a practical, hands-on competency assessment.
-
Train on federal refrigerant regulations, proper recovery techniques, and system evacuation. You will complete a review session to ensure you are fully prepared for the EPA 608 test. Once ready, you will sit for the proctored EPA 608 Universal exam covering all three sections and receive same-day digital results.
-
Prepare for the industry-wide transition to low-GWP refrigerants. You will learn the specific flammability properties, safe handling procedures, transport rules, and emergency leak responses for A2L refrigerants. You will also train with non-spark specialty tools before taking the written certification exam.
-
Take a deep dive into how refrigeration systems actually work. You will analyze the complete vapor-compression cycle, calculate superheat and subcooling, and perform hands-on copper work, including cutting, reaming, and swaging tubing to professional standards.
-
Set up gauge manifolds, perform system evacuations, and conduct leak tests. You will practice refrigerant recovery and charging directly on live training systems, with brazing and nitrogen purging integrated throughout the process.
-
Work on shop simulators to diagnose instructor-induced system faults, including low charge, overcharge, restrictions, non-condensables, and compressor issues. You will also reinforce your line set fabrication skills.
-
Learn how to properly size ductwork, measure static pressure, and identify airflow restrictions. You will get hands-on experience fabricating sheet metal fittings and transitions, as well as sealing and insulating ductwork to meet exact building codes.
-
Close out the ductwork module with a practical assessment, then pivot directly into heat pump installation. You will begin by correctly positioning and securing the heat pump equipment according to exact manufacturer specifications.
-
Execute a complete refrigerant line set installation, including proper insulation. You will make all required electrical connections, and then evacuate and charge the heat pump system.
-
Commission the newly installed heat pump and verify that both heating and cooling modes, along with the thermostat, are operating correctly. You will then transition into gas furnace fundamentals by tracing the complete sequence of operation.
-
Test critical gas furnace safety controls, including flame sensors, limit switches, and pressure switches. You will interpret LED diagnostic codes, measure gas pressure, perform a combustion analysis, and begin your graduation practical exams.
-
Prove your skills on the final day. You will complete a full system installation practical, troubleshoot instructor-induced faults across all disciplines, and face a timed diagnostic challenge. The program concludes with a career preparation exit interview.
TAP Summer Program FAQs
FOR STUDENTS
-
The program starts July 6 and runs through August 7.
-
Hands-on training classes are 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM (Monday, Wednesday, Friday). Location is at The Training Center (113 Monmouth Road, Wrightstown, NJ 08562)
Virtual Led Training classes are held Tuesday - Thursday.
-
You need to have completed at least one year of HVAC training through the Mercer County CTE program. No specific exam score is required, just your commitment to show up and work hard.
-
A: No. This program is fully funded through a partnership with PSE&G. Eligible students attend at no cost.
-
All Students will be paid $22.50 an hour for a 40-hour work week. (Students are only paid if they are present during the training). This program is considered as a job for the students. They will get paid and have taxes taken out of their paycheck.
-
This is a professional program. Every training day builds on the last. Attendance is expected for all 15 days. If you have a conflict, reach out to us before the program starts. There are no make-up days. Participants are only authorized to miss 2 Days (16 hours) of training. It does not matter the reason. Also participants will not be paid for the days they miss.
-
We are currently only accepting 14 Students for the 2026 summer semester.
-
Submitting an interest form is not a guarantee of enrollment. Eligible students will be contacted with next steps and any additional enrollment requirements. APEX Solutions is the onboarding and HR organization for the program.
-
It means you can walk onto a real job site from Day 1 and add value. You'll have two industry certifications, hands-on experience with live equipment, and the problem-solving skills employers look for. You will be trained by Master HVACR license holders along with HVAC industry professionals across residential, commercial and industrial refrigeration systems. This program is focused on residential specific training.
-
The top-performing student are eligible to earn a $900 professional HVAC tool bag at graduation. It's awarded based on your performance across all 15 hands-on training days + 10 days of virtual training. Every day is your opportunity to earn it, treat the program like a job interview, bring your absolute best.
FOR PARENTS
-
Absolutely. The Training Center is a professional, supervised facility. All hands-on training is senior instructor-supervised with licensed Master HVACR NJ contractor license holders, and all safety protocols are taught and enforced as part of the curriculum.
All students will obtain OSHA-30 Safety Certification
-
The Training Center is running the hands-on training at its state-of-art HVAC lab in Wrightstown, NJ. Apex Solutions Group will be running the virtual training. The program is sponsored by PSE&G, managed by APEX Solutions and is designed in partnership with Mercer County CTE to bridge the gap between school and the workforce.
-
Your child will hold two professional certifications (EPA 608 Universal and HFO/A2L Safety), a Program Summer TAP graduation certificate, OSHA-30 Construction Card, and 120 hours of hands-on technical training. They will be qualified to pursue HVAC apprenticeship or entry-level technician positions.
-
You can contact your student's HVAC instructor at Mercer County CTE for more information.
Additional Training Options
The Training Center has been New Jersey’s leader in building careers for over 40 years. We are an accredited and approved trade school, specializing in training programs across HVAC, Electrical, Welding, Plumbing, Boiler and more.
This Summer TAP program is an accelerated version of our flagship HVAC Technician Apprentice Program. Learn more about our career development programs below.