 Northwest Technical College in Bemidji announced this morning that a new commercial refrigeration and HVAC program will become into campus this fall. The new program is being added in response to feedback the college received from a December meeting with professionals in the industry. In the meeting they said the industry is expected to grow significantly in the next few years and skilled workers will be needed to fill those jobs. NTC's next steps will be recruiting students, instructors and finding the right equipment for course labs. Students will spend about 60 percent of their time in lecture classes and 40 percent in labs getting their skills so that lab time is really essential to have the technology that's out there right now and so we're in the process of identifying the equipment that we need to have in those labs so students are up to speed and have an idea of how those different controllers those chiller rack systems the refrigeration units how all those work and how they can make sure that they develop the skills that business and industry are looking for. NTC officials say they are hoping to start with at least 20 students next fall. If you enjoyed this segment of Lakeland news please consider making a tax deductible contribution to Lakeland PBS.