Get Your Students Heat Pump Ready
Heat Pump Ready is a statewide program led by TECH Clean California in partnership with ESCO Institute and leading heat pump manufacturers designed to support residential HVAC training programs and instructors. The goal of Heat Pump Ready is to create the nation's largest cohort of credentialed heat pump educators and establish California's educator development model.
Through this program, HVAC instructors will have access to ESCO Institute’s High-Performance Heat Pump and High- Performance Heat Pump Water Heater courses, curriculum and Certified Subject Matter Expert Heat Pump credentialing support, and Industry-led Instructor Advisory webinar. Participants will also receive manufacturer-led certificate earning, Heat Pump HVAC and Heat Pump Water Heater trainings.
Qualifying schools are eligible for up to $15,000 in heat pump equipment per school location, helping students to gain real-world, hands-on experience with the technology. While funding lasts.
Schools are encouraged to have multiple instructors attend the training, but only one trained instructor per location is required for the school to be eligible for equipment. Funding is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis only while supplies last—don't miss this opportunity!
Registration Opens on August 17, 2026
What Does the Heat Pump Ready Program Offer?
Participating instructors will receive:
- Industry-led Instructor Advisory Webinars
- ESCO Institute’s High-Performance Heat Pump and Heat Pump Water Heater courses
- ESCO Institute curriculum and credentialing support
- Certificate earning manufacturer-led instructor training
- Qualifying schools are eligible for up to $15,000 in heat pump equipment through TECH Clean California
- Equipment eligibility is prioritized for new participating schools. Funding is limited and available only while supplies last
- Referral gift card for the first 10 instructors who refer another instructor to the program, while supplies last.
How to Participate:
- Instructor completes the interest form and selects training dates. Do not complete the interest form for anyone but yourself
- Instructor completes free ESCO's High-Performance Heat Pump and Heat Pump Water Heater courses, as well as required manufacturer trainings
- Qualifying schools must submit equipment selection forms by January 8, 2027
- Qualifying schools will receive equipment (between January 2027 and March 2027 – subject to availability)
- Must Install equipment in school within 90 days of receipt, no later than May 14, whichever comes first
- Instructors must integrate heat pump content into a relevant curriculum
- Instructors submit an impact summary by June 11, 2027
Know a school that could benefit from this opportunity?
The first 10 instructors who refer a new participating school to the program will receive a gift card, while supplies last.
ESCO Training
ESCO offers a comprehensive 10-chapter course that equips instructors with the knowledge and tools to master modern heat pump systems, from initial cost analysis to advanced diagnostics. Topics include inverter technology, heating load calculations, and cutting-edge installation practices.
This free access is for instructors only. Registered proctors can login to the proctor resource center here to view the course. Instructors at school recognized by the state of California that are not proctors can call 800-726-9696 to get a free account to access the course.
Watch The Missing Link in Workforce Development: Manufacturer Involvement Video
Manufacturer Training
Training dates are coming soon!
Participating Schools
- Abram Friedman Occupational Center (LAUSD)
- Adroit Technical Institute
- American College of Healthcare and Technology
- Ata College
- Capstone College
- Center for Employment Training (Coachella, Colton, El Centro, Oxnard, San Diego, San Jose, Santa Maria)
- Central Coast Energy Services WE&T Center
- College of the Desert (COD)
- CTE of Goodwill of Silicon Valley
- Cypress College
- DeHart Technical School
- Fresno City College
- Gavilan College
- HVAC Training Academy (trade school) San Dimas
- Intercoast Colleges - Sacramento
- Intercoast Colleges - West Covina
- Jobtrain Inc
- Los Angeles Trade Technical College
- Sheet Metal JATC Modesto
- Mt San Antonio College
- National Career Education
- North American Training Center (NATC)
- Orange Coast College
- Palomar College Escondido Campus
- PHCC Academy of San Diego
- PHCC Los Angeles
- Richmond Build Green Jobs Academy
- Riverside City College
- San Bernardino Valley College
- San Diego College of Continuing Education
- San Francisco City College
- San Joaquin Delta College
- SJVC Rancho Mirage
- Sheet Metal Industry JATC No. Ca. Valley (Mather)
- Sheet Metal JATC San Diego
- Sheet Metal Workers' Local 104, Castroville, CA, JATC
- Sheet Metal Workers' Local 104, Fairfield, CA, JATC
- Sheet Metal Workers' Local 104, Livermore, CA, JATC
- Sheet Metal Workers' Local 104, San Jose, CA
- SJVC Lancaster
- SJVC Temecula
- Slawson South East Occupational Center (LAUSD)
- Tri-Counties Sheet Metal Workers Apprenticeship Santa Maria JAC
- Tri-Counties Sheet Metal Workers Apprenticeship Ventura JAC
- UA Local 38 JATC (San Francisco)
- UA Local 38 Training Center (Santa Rosa)
- West Valley Occupational Center (LAUSD)
Terms and Conditions
- Offer a residential HVAC curriculum
- Provide available lab space for equipment installation
- Maintain a controlled equipment inventory and delivery
- Assume all liability and responsibility for donated equipment
- Ensure faculty completion of manufacturer training with certificate
- Integrate heat pump content into relevant curriculum
- Install and verify equipment use within 90 days of delivery no later than May 14, including geotagged photo documentation
- Complete Program Impact Summary by June 11, 2027
- Referral gift cards are limited to the first 10 referrals, while supplies last
Meet Our Program Partners
Funding for this project is part of California Climate Investments, a statewide initiative that puts billions of Cap-and-Trade dollars to work reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy, and improving public health and the environment — particularly in disadvantaged communities.