Now that you have decided on a career as a heating and air conditioning professional, the next action is to find an HVAC technical school near Elmendorf Afb AK. But with so many to select from, how do you pick the right one to receive the training that you require? Many potential students will make their choice based solely on the cost of tuition or how near the school is to their home. Although these are necessary concerns, they are not the only ones to take into account. A few of the other details that you need to research are the graduation rates of the HVAC schools, their reputations, and if they are accredited by professional trade organizations. Those and additional criteria will be covered in more detail later in this article. But before we tackle how to select an HVAC trade school, let’s take a look at what a heating and a/c professional does to become a licensed skilled tradesman.

[campusexplorer header_text=”Find HVAC Training Schools Near You!” aos=”53237562″ concentration=”16D42C74″ tracking=”HVAC-D”]

Becoming an HVAC Pro in Elmendorf Afb AK

HVAC is an acronym that is commonly used in the industry that stands for “Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning”. HVAC professionals provide services for the installation, repair and maintenance of air conditioners, furnaces, boilers, water heaters and heating systems. As skilled tradesmen, they are typically mandated to be licensed, however every state and regional municipality has its own requirements. Attaining professional certification is not required, but an alternative way for Elmendorf Afb AK HVAC techs to establish that they are highly skilled and experienced in their area of expertise. There are several recognized certifications within the field that are available. Here are some of the important ones.

• North American Technician Excellence (NATE). NATE is a nationally recognized certification for HVAC technicians. The certification is attained by passing a proficiency exam and may be earned in one or more specialties.
• HVAC Excellence. This certification offers both a professional and a master specialist credential. 2 years of professional experience in addition to passing a comprehensive examination are needed for the professional level certification. Master specialists need to have three years of experience in addition to a passing result on the professional level examination. Similar to NATE, certifications are provided in several specialties.
• EPA Section 608. This certification is necessary for technicians that handle refrigerants. There are three forms of certification obtainable, one for small appliances, and the other two for low and high pressure refrigerants.

Considering that licensing may be mandated in your area, and you may also wish to acquire certification, it’s essential that you choose an HVAC trade school that will train you for both. And since you will more than likely be working with refrigerants, make sure that the school you choose readies you for passing the EPA Section 608 examinations.

HVAC Certificate and Degree Schools

There are a variety of choices available for HVAC training in a technical or vocational school. You can obtain a certificate, an Associate Degree, or a Bachelor’s Degree. Earning a certificate will take the minimum amount of time, typically accomplished in just six months, however some courses are longer. A certificate will train you for most HVAC positions, particularly if you are licensed and have certification applicable to the position. The degree programs can provide a competitive edge in the job market and will furnish more in-depth training than the certificate programs. Following is a short description of each option offered near Elmendorf Afb AK.

• Certificate. Normally requiring a high school diploma, certificate programs are very popular among beginning commercial or residential HVAC technicians. They furnish a strong foundation of skills for employment within the trade.
• Associate Degree. The Associate Degree in HVAC program provides a more exhaustive knowledge of heating and a/c systems than the certificate program. Usually requiring 2 years to finish, a number of degrees incorporate an internship or work-study program.
• Bachelor’s Degree. The Bachelor’s Degree in HVAC is suited more towards a career in management as well as business ownership. Some programs require an Associate Degree, while others are a conventional 4 year program. In addition to learning how to service and maintain heating and cooling systems, you will also study how to design them.

Picking the appropriate credential program will be dependent on what your future career objectives are, as well as the time and financial resources that you have to invest. One option is to begin with a certificate or even an Associate Degree program, and after gaining some experience in the field in Elmendorf Afb AK, later returning to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree. If this is your approach, be sure to ask the HVAC technician school you are considering about how their returning student program works.

HVAC Training Online

Enrolling in an HVAC school online is one alternative to getting your education and receiving a certificate or degree. Most schools will require some attendance on campus to take part in hands on training. Many also sponsor internship or work-study programs in addition to or in place of practical lab work. But since the balance of the classes may be participated in via the internet, this approach may be a more practical solution for some Elmendorf Afb AK students that are short on time. And many online degree programs are less costly than other traditional alternatives. Even commuting expenses from Elmendorf Afb and study supplies may be lessened, helping to make schooling more budget-friendly. And a large number of online programs are fully accredited (more on this later). So if your job or family obligations have left you with little time to attend classes, perhaps an online HVAC degree program will make it more convenient to fit school into your busy schedule.

Questions to Ask HVAC Certification Classes near Elmendorf Afb AK

Once you have decided on the type of degree or certificate that you wish to attain, either online or on campus, you can begin to decrease your selection of schools. As you are certainly aware, there are numerous HVAC trade schools in the Elmendorf Afb AK area and across the United States to pick from. That’s why it is very important to have a checklist of important qualifiers when making school assessments. As formerly mentioned in our opening paragraph, tuition and location will most likely be the first two variables you will take into consideration. Following are some additional ones that you should investigate before enrolling in your school of choice.

Accreditation.  Numerous HVAC technical schools in the Elmendorf Afb AK area have earned either a regional or a national accreditation. They may receive Institutional Accreditation, which involves the school’s programs as a whole, or Programmatic Accreditation, which pertains to a specific program, for example HVAC technology. Confirm that the school is accredited by a U.S. Department of Education approved accrediting organization, which includes the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. Along with helping ensure that you get an excellent education, it may help in acquiring financial aid or student loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited programs. Furthermore, some states mandate that the HVAC training program be accredited for it to qualify for licensing.

High Completion Rates.  Ask the HVAC schools you are reviewing what their completion rates are. The completion rate is the percentage or portion of students who enroll in and complete the course. A lower completion rate may signify that students were disappointed with the program and dropped out. It may also suggest that the teachers were not qualified to train the students. It’s also important that the schools have high job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a more extensive list of graduates, which may result in more contacts for the school to use for their apprenticeship and job placement programs. A high job placement rate can not only affirm that the school has an excellent reputation within the field, but also that it has the network of Elmendorf Afb AK HVAC employers to help students obtain apprenticeships or employment.

Apprenticeship Programs.  Many HVAC vocational programs are taught in conjunction with an internship or an apprenticeship program. Those participating vocational and trade programs will help place you in an apprenticeship program within their network of HVAC contractors or labor unions. Find out if the schools you are comparing have referring partnerships with local Elmendorf Afb AK HVAC contractors. An apprenticeship not only provides a rewarding experience by providing hands-on training, but it also furnishes employment opportunities and helps to establish relationships in the regional HVAC professional community.

Modern Facilities.  Make sure that the campus facilities and the tools that you will be instructed on are state-of-the-art and what you will be using in the field. If you are currently in an internship or an apprenticeship, check with the HVAC tech you are working with regarding what you should be looking for. Otherwise, ask a local Elmendorf Afb AK HVAC company if they can provide some pointers. Additionally bear in mind that unless you are able to move, the school must be within driving distance of your Elmendorf Afb AK home. Take note that if you decide to attend an out-of-state school, besides the added relocation costs there might be higher tuition charges compared to in-state residents.

Smaller Classes.   It’s important that you get as much personalized training as possible, which can be difficult in bigger classes. Ask if you can sit in on a few of the classes so that you can observe how big they are and witness first hand the interaction between teachers and students. Talk with several of the students and get their comments regarding class sizes and instruction. Finally, speak with some of the instructors and find out what their level of expertise is and what certifications or degrees they hold.

Flexible Scheduling.  Confirm that the class schedules for the schools you are assessing are flexible enough to fulfill your needs. If you can only attend classes in the evening or on weekends near Elmendorf Afb AK, confirm that the programs you are considering provide those options. If you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the school you select allows part-time enrollment. Finally, check out what the protocol is to make-up classes should you miss any because of work, illness or family issues.

Attending HVAC School near Elmendorf Afb AK?

Select the Right HVAC Trade School near Elmendorf Afb AK

Selecting the right HVAC training program is a crucial first step toward a gratifying career in the heating and cooling industry. As we have discussed in this article, you should choose a trade school and a certificate or degree program that are both accredited and have outstanding reputations within the HVAC field. Other factors to search for are lots of practical training and modern facilities. You need to go to each of the schools personally that you are most interested in to inspect the campus and talk with both the faculty and current students. Attempt to get a feel for the quality of the training and the interaction between them. Also, ask about scheduling options and whether or not evening or weekend classes are available if needed. And don’t forget to ask about financial aid and student loan options as well. If you ask the appropriate questions as we have detailed in our checklist for assessing schools, you’ll be able to narrow down your options so that you can make an informed decision. With the appropriate training, hard work and dedication, you can eventually become a licensed HVAC specialist in Elmendorf Afb AK.

More Fabulous Cities in Alaska

Business Results 1 - 10 of 41

24hr Arctic Services

5 Reviews

Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC

Phone:

905 Muldoon Rd, Anchorage, AK 99504

McCann Plumbing & Heating

8 Reviews

Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC

Phone:

2937 Crows Nest Cir, Anchorage, AK 99515

Blake's Plumbing & Heating

7 Reviews

Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC, Plumbing, Contractors

Phone:

4131 Woronzof Dr, Anchorage, AK 99517

Diamond Heating/AirTemp Alaska

5 Reviews

Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC, Fireplace Services, Water Heater Installation/Repair

Phone:

5406 Lake Otis Pkwy, Anchorage, AK 99507

Denali HVAC

5 Reviews

Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC

Phone:

Anchorage, AK 99520

Extreme Heating and Air

2 Reviews

Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC, Plumbing, Water Heater Installation/Repair

Phone:

16805 Farm Ave, Eagle River, AK 99577

Muotka Mechanical

4 Reviews

Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC

Phone:

11131 Polar Dr, Anchorage, AK 99516

Cassidy's Plumbing & Heating

1 Reviews

Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC

Phone:

6651 Wes Way, Anchorage, AK 99518

First Class Plumbing and Heating

3 Reviews

Plumbing

Phone:

Anchorage, AK

Alaska Plumbing Service

4 Reviews

Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC

Phone:

6601 Blackberry Rd, Anchorage, AK 99502

 

The post HVAC Schools Near Me in Elmendorf Afb AK 99506 appeared first on Become an HVAC Technician.