HVAC Training Options
HVAC work isn’t something you can just jump into or fake your way through. It’s a skilled trade, which means it takes a lot of training and hard work. An interested worker has to complete certifications and other requirements just to get in the door. Here are some options for getting a start in the trade.
One of the most obvious places to start would be your local plumbers and pipefitters union. Unions offer apprenticeship programs that provide paid on-the-job training, classes and certification for the things you need to know to get into HVAC work. While unions - and, for that matter, anyone - can’t guarantee work, they often have job boards that can provide tips and sources for job possibilities. Apprenticeship programs also can train you on safety and human resource issues such as sexual harassment. Unions offer ongoing training throughout your career as well. Acceptance into program sometimes depends on staffing levels.
A tech college, community college or other vocational school can offer classes in HVAC installation and servicing. The school can help you catch up in areas where you might need some remedial work, such as in math or science. This is a good option if you already have a job in another field and are thinking about switching careers - a class or two can give you an idea if the change will be a good fit. Programs can take one to three years or more, depending on how quickly you’re able to take the required courses, and graduates often go on to apprenticeships or other entry-level positions. Do a little research, though some apprenticeship programs don’t give credit for vo-tech work, but tech colleges often have contacts in the business and can give you job leads that way.
There are specialized HVAC training schools that provide online and classroom education. They offer accelerated schedules that quickly go over the information you need to know. However, there are very few of these, and you’d have to decide if traveling to one is worth it for the training you’d get. Online courses are be useful for keeping your skills current or updating your certification, but watch out for any outfit that claims you can become an HVAC technician with only online work. Nothing compares to hands-on experience: working with the tools, figuring out how to work with other people as part of a team, and solving problems on your own.
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Tagged With hvac training
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