Now that you have decided on a career as a heating and air conditioning professional, the next action is to look for an HVAC technical school near Mount Pulaski IL. But with so many to choose from, how do you choose the best one to get the training that you require? A number of future students will make their choice based exclusively on the cost of tuition or how near the school is to their residence. While these are important factors to consider, they are not the only ones to evaluate. Just some of the other factors that you need to investigate are the graduation rates of the HVAC schools, their reputations, and if they are accredited by professional trade organizations. Those and additional benchmarks will be discussed in more detail later in this article. But before we explore how to choose an HVAC training program, let’s look at what a heating and cooling specialist does to become a licensed professional tradesman.

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

Becoming an HVAC Professional in Mount Pulaski IL

HVAC is an acronym that is commonly used in the industry that stands for “Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning”. HVAC technicians provide services for the installation, maintenance and repair of central air conditioners, furnaces, boilers, water heaters and heating systems. As professional tradesmen, they are commonly mandated to be licensed, though each state and local municipality has its own requirements. Attaining professional certification is not compulsory, but an optional means for Mount Pulaski IL HVAC specialists to demonstrate that they are highly skilled and knowledgeable in their area of expertise. There are a number of recognized certifications within the industry that are available. Following are some of the important ones.

• North American Technician Excellence (NATE). NATE is a nationally acknowledged certification for HVAC techs. The certification is earned by passing a proficiency exam and can be earned in one or more specialties.
• HVAC Excellence. This certification makes available both a professional and a master specialist credential. 2 years of professional experience in addition to passing a comprehensive examination are required for the professional level certification. Master specialists must have three years of experience as well as a passing result on the professional level exam. As with NATE, certifications are offered in multiple specialties.
• EPA Section 608. This certification is required for specialists that handle refrigerants. There are 3 types of certification offered, one for small appliances, and the additional two for low and high pressure refrigerants.

Considering that licensing could be required in your location, and you may also intend to acquire certification, it’s important that you enroll in an HVAC technical school that will prepare you for both. And since you will probably be dealing with refrigerants, make sure that the school you pick preps you for passing the EPA Section 608 exams.

HVAC Degree Training Programs

There are several alternatives offered for HVAC training in a technical or trade school. You can obtain a certificate, an Associate Degree, or a Bachelor’s Degree. Obtaining a certificate will take the least period of time, usually achieved in as little as six months, though some courses are longer. A certificate will qualify you for most HVAC positions, particularly if you are licensed and have certification appropriate to the position. The degree programs may provide a competitive advantage for securing employment and will deliver more in-depth training than the certificate programs. Below is a brief description of each option offered near Mount Pulaski IL.

• Certificate. Generally requiring a high school diploma, certificate programs are preferred among beginning commercial or residential HVAC professionals. They furnish a strong foundation of skills for employment within the trade.
• Associate Degree. The Associate Degree in HVAC program provides a more detailed knowledge of heating & cooling systems than the certificate program. Generally requiring 2 years to finish, some degrees include an internship or work-study program.
• Bachelor’s Degree. The Bachelor’s Degree in HVAC is tailored more towards a career in management as well as business ownership. Some programs require an Associate Degree, while others are a standard four year program. In addition to mastering how to service and maintain heating and cooling systems, you will also learn how to design them.

Picking the right credential program will be dependent on what your future career goals are, in addition to the time and money that you have to invest. One option is to start with a certificate or perhaps an Associate Degree program, and after gaining some experience in the field in Mount Pulaski IL, eventually returning to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree. If this is your strategy, make sure to ask the HVAC tech school you are considering about how their returning student program works.

HVAC Training Online

Enrolling in an HVAC school online is one approach to attaining your training and earning a certificate or degree. Nearly all schools will call for some attendance on campus to complete hands on training. Many also provide internship or work-study programs in addition to or as an alternative to practical lab work. But since the rest of the classes may be attended online, this approach may be a more practical solution for some Mount Pulaski IL students that are short on time. And a number of online degree programs are less costly than other on campus options. Even driving expenses from Mount Pulaski and study materials may be reduced, helping to make education more affordable. And a large number of online programs are fully accredited (more on this later). So if your work or family obligations have left you with little time to attend classes, perhaps an online HVAC degree program will make it less complicated to fit school into your hectic lifestyle.

Questions to Ask HVAC Training Programs near Mount Pulaski IL

When you have decided on the type of certificate or degree that you want to obtain, either on campus or online, you can begin to decrease your list of schools. As you are no doubt aware, there are many HVAC trade schools in the Mount Pulaski IL area and throughout the United States to select from. That’s why it is essential to have a checklist of important qualifiers when making school evaluations. As formerly stated in our opening paragraph, tuition and location will most likely be the initial two variables you will take into consideration. Following are several additional ones that you need to investigate before enrolling in your school of choice.

Accreditation.  Many HVAC trade programs in the Mount Pulaski IL area have attained either a regional or a national accreditation. They may attain Institutional Accreditation, which involves the school’s programs overall, or Programmatic Accreditation, which relates to a specific program, such as HVAC technology. Make certain that the program is accredited by a U.S. Department of Education approved accrediting organization, for instance the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. In addition to helping make certain that you obtain an excellent education, it can assist in securing financial assistance or student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited schools. Additionally, some states mandate 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 considering what their completion rates are. The completion rate is the portion or percentage of students who enroll in and finish the program. A lower completion rate might suggest that students were unhappy with the course and quit. It might also indicate that the instructors were not qualified to train the students. It’s also imperative that the schools have high job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a more extensive directory of graduates, which can mean more contacts for the school to use for their apprenticeship and job placement programs. A high job placement rate will not only confirm that the school has an excellent reputation within the industry, but additionally that it has the network of Mount Pulaski IL HVAC employers to assist graduates secure apprenticeships or employment.

Apprenticeship Programs.  A large number of HVAC training programs are taught along with an apprenticeship or an internship program. Those participating vocational and technical schools will help place you in an apprenticeship program within their network of Heating and Cooling businesses or labor unions. Ask if the schools you are comparing have referring relationships with local Mount Pulaski IL HVAC specialists. An apprenticeship not only provides a rewarding experience by providing practical training, but it also supplies job opportunities and helps to form relationships in the area HVAC professional community.

Modern Facilities.  Confirm that the school facilities and the tools that you will be instructed on are state-of-the-art and what you will be working with in the field. If you are already in an internship or an apprenticeship, consult with the HVAC technician you are working under regarding what you should be expecting. If not, ask a local Mount Pulaski IL HVAC company if they can provide some pointers. Also bear in mind that unless you are able to relocate, the school must be within commuting distance of your Mount Pulaski IL home. Take note that if you decide to enroll in an out-of-state school, besides the added relocation costs there may be increased tuition fees compared to in-state residents.

Smaller Classes.   It’s desirable that you get as much personalized training as possible, which can be difficult in larger classes. Ask if you can monitor some of the classes so that you can see how large they are and experience the interaction between students and instructors. Talk with a few of the students and get their comments regarding class sizes and instruction. Finally, talk with some of the instructors and learn what their level of expertise is and what certifications or degrees they hold.

Flexible Scheduling.  Make sure that the class schedules for the schools you are assessing are flexible enough to handle your needs. If you are only able to go to classes at night or on weekends near Mount Pulaski IL, check that the programs you are considering provide those options. If you can only attend part-time, be sure that the school you select allows part-time enrollment. Also, check out what the protocol is to make-up classes should you miss any because of work, sickness or family issues.

Attending HVAC School near Mount Pulaski IL?

Choose the Right HVAC Trade School near Mount Pulaski IL

Enrolling in the ideal HVAC training course is a crucial first step toward a rewarding career in the heating and cooling industry. As we have discussed in this post, you should pick a trade school and a certificate or degree program that are both accredited and have excellent reputations within the HVAC profession. Other features to look for are ample hands-on training and modern facilities. You should visit each of the schools in person that you are most interested in to explore the campus and speak with both the faculty and current students. Try to get a feel for the quality of the teaching and the interaction between them. Also, ask about scheduling options and whether evening or weekend classes are available if needed. And remember to ask about financial assistance and student loan options as well. If you ask the proper questions as we have detailed in our guidelines for assessing schools, you’ll be able to narrow down your options so that you can make an educated decision. With the proper training, hard work and dedication, you can ultimately become a licensed HVAC professional in Mount Pulaski IL.

More Fabulous Cities in Illinois

Business Results 1 - 10 of 40

Air King

4 Reviews

Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC

Phone:

250 E Eldorado St, Decatur, IL 62523

Matheny Heating & Cooling

1 Reviews

Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC

Phone:

402 E Shafer St, Forsyth, IL 62535

Mike Bergen Heating and Cooling

3 Reviews

Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC

Phone:

Springfield, IL 62702

Mb Heating & Cooling

5 Reviews

Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC

Phone:

1001 E Miller St, Springfield, IL 62702

F J Murphy & Son

3 Reviews

Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC, Fire Protection Services

Phone:

1800 Factory St, Springfield, IL 62702

Gatschenberger Rich Heating & Cooling

1 Reviews

Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC

Phone:

501 Charter Oak Dr, Sherman, IL 62684

Tica

1 Reviews

Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC

Phone:

735 S Franklin St, Decatur, IL 62521

Binder Plumbing & Heating

1 Reviews

Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC

Phone:

1975 E Pershing Rd, Decatur, IL 62526

Affordable Heating & Air Conditioning

1 Reviews

Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC

Phone:

1168 N Branch Rd, Decatur, IL 62521

Bob Bergen Heating & Air Conditioning

1 Reviews

Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC

Phone:

1514 Sequoia Dr, Chatham, IL 62629

 

The post HVAC Schools Near Me in Mount Pulaski IL 62548 appeared first on Become an HVAC Technician.