BRUNSWICK — The Maine Energy Marketers Association’s Technical Education Center is planning a $250,000 training center expansion which will double its student capacity and help meet a growing need in Maine for professional heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration technicians.

There is currently a nationwide shortage of HVACR professionals. The average age in the profession is increasing, with fewer young people entering the trade. There is also demand for qualified technicians, particularly in states like Maine where more than 70 percent of homes — and more than 1 million people — rely on oil or propane heat.

The expansion will help make the training lab one of the finest in New England by accommodating the latest HVACR technologies, biofuels testing and operations, electronic advances, and home energy management services. In addition, it will accommodate separate modern hands-on propane training space, permanent electrical training stations, A/C and heat pump training stations, and plumbing classes. The expansion will also make it possible for the school to hire a second instructor.

MEMA hopes the additional capacity and expanded training environment will develop a pipeline of high school graduates and veterans transitioning to civilian life. Nearly 100 students are projected to graduate annually.

MTEC has broken ground on the new training center and anticipates being finished in April.