Roeber's Inc. Announces new NATE certification Excellence program for all HVAC staff

In order to continue the Roeber's success story far into the 21st century, Roeber's Inc. has put into place a technical excellence program to further enhance and improve upon their high technical prowess. As of Q3 of 2007, all HVAC Service and Install technicians are required to take and pass the NATE exam program. To date almost half of the HVAC staff has accomplished their goals with the other half scheduled to complete their programs by the first of Q4.

This endeavor makes us one of the only HVAC companies in the Carrier factory authorized dealer program and in the bay area that are both Union and NATE certified. This requirement has been set for Management as well, one of the first to pass the rigorous exam is Steven D's;Amico the Home services/Retail Division manager.Our goal is 100% participation and compliance, all of our people will be through the NATE program before the end of Q4.

Who is NATE and what does it do?

NATE, North American Technician Excellence Inc., is an independent, third-party certification body for HVAC/R technicians.NATE tests technicians; others train.Testing validates the technician's knowledge and a training program's instruction. NATE-approved testing organizations throughout the U.S. and Canada offer NATE tests.Candidates can earn installation and/or service certification in five specialty areas: air-conditioning, air distribution, heat pumps, gas heating & oil heating.

Who Supports NATE?

The entire HVAC/R industry supports NATE: manufacturers, utilities, wholesalers, educators, technicians, contractors and trade associations.The NATE coalition includes:

• Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA).
• Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute (ARI).
• American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Inc. (ASHRAE).
• Building Performance Institute (BPI).
• Eastern Heating & Cooling Council (EHCC)
• Edison Electric Institute (EEI).
• Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI).
• Gas Appliance Manufacturers Association (GAMA).
• Heating, Air conditioning & Refrigeration Distributors International (HARDI).
• National Energy Management Institute (NEMI, an organization representing Sheet Metal Contractors and Sheet Metal Workers).
• Plumbing-Heating-Cooling-Contractors--National Association (PHCC--NA).
• Refrigeration Service Engineers Society (RSES).
• Service Roundtable.
• Skills USA.
• Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA).
• U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). and
• the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The D.O.E. endorses NATE.Consumer Reports said, "It's a plus if a technician is NATE-certified.'" EPA tells consumers to ask if a contractor's technicians are NATE-certified. Under the Montgomery GI Bill, the Department of Veteran's Affairs (VA) reimburses veterans who take the NATE tests.The U.S. Army recognizes NATE certification for promotion points. No other certification exam enjoys this industry support.