Now that you have made a decision on a career as a heating and air conditioning professional, the next step is to choose an HVAC vocational school near Middlefield OH. But with so many to pick from, how do you pick the right one to receive the training that you need? Some future students will make their choice based entirely on the price of tuition or how near the school is to their home. While these are significant factors to consider, they are not the only ones to take into account. A few of the other things that you need to look into are the graduation completion rates of the HVAC schools, their reputations, and if they are accredited by professional trade organizations. Those and other benchmarks will be addressed in more detail later within this article. But before we examine how to select an HVAC vocational school, let’s take a look at what a heating and a/c specialist 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 Technician in Middlefield OH

HVAC is an acronym that is frequently used in the business that stands for “Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning”. HVAC professionals provide services for the installation, maintenance and repair of air conditioners, furnaces, boilers, hot water heaters and heating systems. As professional tradesmen, they are commonly required to be licensed, however each state and regional municipality has its own prerequisites. Acquiring professional certification is not compulsory, but a voluntary way for Middlefield OH HVAC technicians to prove that they are exceptionally proficient and knowledgeable in their area of expertise. There are multiple recognized certifications within the industry that are offered. Following are some of the important ones.

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

Because licensing could be required in your area, and you may also desire to earn certification, it’s imperative that you choose an HVAC trade school that will train you for both. And since you will probably be handling refrigerants, make sure that the school you decide on preps you for passing the EPA Section 608 exams.

HVAC Degree Training Programs

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. Acquiring a certificate will take the minimum amount of time, typically accomplished in as little as 6 months, though some courses are longer. A certificate will train you for the majority of HVAC positions, particularly if you are licensed and have certification applicable to the position. The degree programs can provide a competitive advantage in the job market and will deliver more in-depth training than the certificate programs. Following is a brief summary of each credential offered near Middlefield OH.

• Certificate. Generally requiring a high school diploma, certificate programs are very popular among beginning commercial or residential HVAC professionals. They provide a solid foundation of skills for employment within the industry.
• Associate Degree. The Associate Degree in HVAC program supplies a more comprehensive knowledge of heating and a/c systems than the certificate program. Typically taking 2 years to complete, some degrees incorporate an internship or work-study program.
• Bachelor’s Degree. The Bachelor’s Degree in HVAC is suited more for a career in management or even business ownership. Some programs call for an Associate Degree, while others are a traditional four year program. In addition to learning how to service and maintain heating and cooling systems, you will also learn how to design them.

Choosing the appropriate credential program will be based on what your long term career aspirations are, along with the time and money that you have to commit. One approach is to start with a certificate or perhaps an Associate Degree program, and after acquiring some experience in the field in Middlefield OH, eventually going back to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree. If this is your approach, make sure to ask the HVAC technician school you are considering about how their returning student program works.

HVAC Courses Online

Enrolling in an HVAC school online is one option in obtaining your education and earning a degree or certificate. Nearly all schools will call for some attendance on campus to participate in practical training. Some also offer internship or work-study programs in addition to or as an alternative to practical lab work. But since the balance of the classes can be participated in online, this alternative may be a more convenient solution for some Middlefield OH students that are short on time. And some online degree programs are less expensive than other on campus choices. Even travelling expenses from Middlefield and study materials may be minimized, helping to make schooling more economical. And a large number of online schools are fully accredited (more on this later). So if your career or family obligations have left you with minimal time to attend classes, perhaps an HVAC online training program will make it more convenient to fit school into your hectic schedule.

Questions to Ask HVAC Schools near Middlefield OH

After you have selected the type of degree or certificate that you wish to attain, either online or on campus, you can start to limit your selection of schools. As you are probably aware, there are a large number of HVAC vocational schools in the Middlefield OH area and all over the Country to choose from. That’s why it is very important to have a checklist of key qualifiers when making school evaluations. As earlier mentioned in our opening paragraph, tuition and location will probably be the first 2 aspects you will take into consideration. Following are several additional ones that you should explore before enrolling in your school of choice.

Accreditation.  Many HVAC trade schools in the Middlefield OH area have earned either a regional or a national accreditation. They can acquire Institutional Accreditation, which involves the school’s programs as a whole, or Programmatic Accreditation, which relates to a specific program, for instance HVAC technology. Verify that the school and program are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency, such as the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. In addition to helping ensure that you get a quality education, it can help in securing financial assistance or student loans, which are in many cases unavailable for non-accredited programs. Also, some states require that the HVAC training program be accredited in order to be approved for licensing.

High Completion Rates.  Ask the Heating and Cooling schools you are looking at what their completion rates are. The completion rate is the portion or percentage of students who enroll in and complete the course. A low completion rate might indicate that students were dissatisfied with the course and quit. It could also signify that the instructors were not qualified to train the students. It’s similarly important that the schools have high job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a broader list of alumni, 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 a good reputation within the trade, but also that it has the network of Middlefield OH HVAC employers to assist graduates acquire apprenticeships or jobs.

Apprenticeship Programs.  Most HVAC trade programs are taught in conjunction with an apprenticeship or an internship program. Those participating trade and vocational programs will help place you in an apprenticeship program inside their network of HVAC businesses or labor unions. Ask if the schools you are comparing have working partnerships with local Middlefield OH HVAC specialists. An apprenticeship not only provides a rewarding experience by furnishing hands-on training, but it also provides employment opportunities and helps to establish relationships in the regional HVAC professional community.

Modern Facilities.  Make certain that the school facilities and the tools that you will be trained on are up-to-date and what you will be using in the field. If you are already in an internship or an apprenticeship, talk to the HVAC specialist you are working with regarding what you should be expecting. Otherwise, ask a local Middlefield OH HVAC contracting company if they can provide some tips. Additionally keep in mind that unless you can relocate, the school must be within driving distance of your Middlefield OH residence. Remember that if you decide to enroll in an out-of-state school, besides the added moving costs there may be increased tuition fees compared to in-state residents.

Smaller Classes.   It’s important that you receive as much personalized instruction as possible, which can be challenging in bigger classes. Ask if you can monitor a few of the classes so that you can see how big they are and experience the interaction between students and instructors. Speak with some of the students and get their feedback regarding class sizes and instruction. Finally, speak to some of the teachers and learn what their level of expertise is and what certifications or degrees they have earned.

Flexible Scheduling.  Verify that the class schedules for the programs you are reviewing are flexible enough to meet your needs. If you can only go to classes in the evening or on weekends near Middlefield OH, confirm that the programs you are comparing 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, find out what the policy is to make-up classes should you miss any due to work, sickness or family issues.

Attending HVAC School near Middlefield OH?

Enroll in the Right HVAC Training Course near Middlefield OH

Finding the right HVAC training program is a critical first step toward a rewarding career in the heating and cooling field. As we have discussed in this article, you should select a technical school and a degree or certificate program that are both accredited and have exceptional reputations within the HVAC trade. Other things to search for are sufficient hands-on training and state-of-the-art facilities. You need to go to each of the schools personally that you are most interested in to tour the campus and speak with both the current students and faculty. Try to get a feel for the quality of the teaching and the interaction between them. Additionally, inquire about scheduling options and whether or not evening or weekend classes are offered if needed. And remember to inquire about financial aid and student loan options also. If you ask the right questions as we have laid out in our guidelines for comparing schools, you’ll be able to narrow down your options so that you can make an informed decision. With the proper training, hard work and dedication, you can ultimately become a licensed HVAC technician in Middlefield OH.

More Fabulous Cities in Ohio

Business Results 1 - 10 of 93

Burton Sheet Metal

1 Reviews

Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC

Phone:

17741 Claridon Troy Rd, Burton, OH 44021

Five Star Plumbing & Heating

2 Reviews

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

Phone:

Burton, OH 44021

Smylie One Heating Cooling & Plumbing

5 Reviews

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

Phone:

8323 Mayfield Rd, Chesterland, OH 44026

Benjamin Franklin Plumbing & Debord's Heating

1 Reviews

Plumbing, Water Heater Installation/Repair, Septic Services

Phone:

12043 Mayfield Rd, Chardon, OH 44024

J & R Heating

1 Reviews

Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC

Phone:

10199 Hopkins Rd, Garrettsville, OH 44231

Kobella Plumbing Heating Cooling

7 Reviews

Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC, Water Purification Services

Phone:

8281 Euclid Chardon Rd, Kirtland, OH 44094

DeBord's One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning

1 Reviews

Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC

Phone:

12043 Mayfield Rd, Chardon, OH 44024

W.F. Hann & Sons

9 Reviews

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

Phone:

26401 Miles Rd, Warrensville Heights, OH 44128

Arco Comfort Air

7 Reviews

Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC, Plumbing, Air Duct Cleaning

Phone:

5325 Naiman Pkwy, Ste J, Solon, OH 44139

Auburn Heating Plumbing & Air Conditioning

4 Reviews

Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC

Phone:

Chagrin Falls, OH 44022

 

The post HVAC Schools Near Me in Middlefield OH 44062 appeared first on Become an HVAC Technician.