Kootenai Technical Education Campus, or KTEC, had to discontinue its popular HVAC program this year after its instructor unexpectedly resigned.

The HVAC apprenticeship is a joint program between North Idaho College and KTEC. When the instructor resigned, classes had already been in session at NIC for two weeks, and KTEC classes were scheduled to begin a week later.

“I don't know the why or the what,” KTEC Director Bill White said of Sean Sater's unexpected resignation.

White said the instructor had not yet signed a contract with KTEC and told him he would not return because he did not want to work part-time as an instructor.

“We went ahead and had kids show up for the first couple of weeks,” White said. “We had NIC post the position, we made phone calls and talked to HVAC companies trying to see if we could get somebody in.”

When KTEC could not find a replacement instructor, the program was discontinued. Of the 35 students enrolled, 22 transferred into other KTEC programs, including plumbing, cybersecurity and automotive technology. Four seniors remained committed to pursuing careers in HVAC.

“We kind of went outside the box on that,” White said.

White oversees an Individual Occupational Program for the four students. He said he helps them explore careers and build resumes while they complete HVAC training at North Idaho College's Workforce Training Center.

North Idaho College quickly found a temporary replacement instructor for its HVAC program. But White said NIC and KTEC will collaborate on hiring a new instructor for the joint program next year.

“As far as next year, it's a question mark,” White said. “Trying to pull instructors out of industry, is tough.”

As of Oct. 5, KTEC's enrollment stood at 583 students, White said. Popular programs such as welding were full, while enrollment in collision repair and automotive manufacturing declined.

“It was not as high as I would like,” White said. “We lost a lot of students with the whole HVAC deal.”

However, White said he was pleased that no students remained on a waitlist this year. Every student who wanted to enroll in a program was placed.