Now that you have decided on a career as a heating and cooling specialist, the next step is to locate an HVAC vocational school near Greenwood LA. But with so many to select from, how do you pick the best one to receive the training that you need? A number of prospective 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 concerns, they are not the only ones to evaluate. Just some of the other things that you need to research are the graduation completion 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 within this article. But before we discuss how to choose an HVAC training program, let’s look at what a heating and a/c specialist does to become a licensed qualified tradesman.

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

How to Become an HVAC Professional in Greenwood LA

HVAC is an acronym that is commonly used in the trade that stands for “Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning”. HVAC techs 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 mandated to be licensed, though every state and regional municipality has its own requirements. Earning professional certification is not compulsory, but a voluntary way for Greenwood LA HVAC technicians to demonstrate that they are exceptionally skilled and knowledgeable in their area of expertise. There are many respected certifications within the industry that are offered. Here are a few 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 competency 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 together with passing a comprehensive examination are needed for the professional level certification. Master specialists need to have 3 years of experience together with a passing result on the professional level examination. As with NATE, certifications are offered in several specialties.
• EPA Section 608. This certification is necessary for specialists that handle refrigerants. There are 3 types 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 location, and you may also wish to earn certification, it’s imperative that you enroll in an HVAC trade school that will prepare you for both. And since you will probably be handling refrigerants, make sure that the program you decide on readies you for passing the EPA Section 608 exams.

HVAC Certificate and Degree Classes

There are a variety of options offered for HVAC training in a trade or technical school. You can earn a certificate, an Associate Degree, or a Bachelor’s Degree. Acquiring a certificate will take the lesser period of time, often accomplished in as little as six months, though some programs are longer. A certificate will train you for the majority of HVAC positions, particularly if you are licensed and have certification relevant to the position. The degree training programs can provide a competitive edge in the job market and will furnish more extensive training than the certificate programs. Following is a brief description of each credential offered near Greenwood LA.

• Certificate. Generally requiring a high school diploma, certificate programs are very popular among beginning residential or commercial HVAC technicians. They provide a strong foundation of skills for employment within the trade.
• Associate Degree. The Associate Degree in HVAC program delivers a more extensive background of heating & cooling systems than the certificate program. Normally taking 2 years to complete, a number of degrees include an internship or work-study program.
• Bachelor’s Degree. The Bachelor’s Degree in HVAC is geared more towards a career in management or even business ownership. Some programs require an Associate Degree, while others are a standard four year program. In addition to being taught how to service and maintain heating and air conditioning systems, you will also study how to design them.

Choosing the ideal credential program will be based on what your future career aspirations are, in addition to the time and money that you have to commit. One possibility is to begin with a certificate or even an Associate Degree program, and after acquiring some experience in the field in Greenwood LA, 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 Online Courses

Attending an HVAC program online is one option in obtaining your training and receiving a certificate or degree. Nearly all schools will require some attendance on campus to complete practical training. Some also offer internship or work-study programs in addition to or instead of practical lab work. But since the remainder of the classes can be participated in via the internet, this alternative may be a more practical solution for many Greenwood LA students that are short on time. And some online degree programs are less costly than other on campus options. Even driving expenses from Greenwood and study materials may be minimized, helping to make schooling more affordable. And numerous online schools are fully accredited (more on this later). So if your work or family responsibilities have left you with limited time to attend classes, maybe an HVAC online training program will make it more convenient to fit school into your hectic schedule.

Questions to Ask HVAC Schools near Greenwood LA

When you have decided on the type of degree or certificate that you want to obtain, either online or on campus, you can start to limit your selection of schools. As you are no doubt aware, there are numerous HVAC vocational schools in the Greenwood LA area and all over the United States to select from. That’s why it is extremely important to have a checklist of key qualifications when making school comparisons. As formerly mentioned in our opening paragraph, tuition and location will probably be the initial 2 aspects you will consider. Following are several additional ones that you should explore before enrolling in your school of choice.

Accreditation.  Numerous HVAC technical schools in the Greenwood LA area have earned either a regional or a national accreditation. They may earn Institutional Accreditation, which focuses on the school’s programs overall, or Programmatic Accreditation, which pertains to a specific program, for example HVAC technology. Make sure that the school and program are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting organization, for example the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. Along with helping make certain that you get a superior education, it may assist in acquiring financial assistance or student loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited schools. Furthermore, some states mandate that the HVAC training course be accredited in order to be approved for licensing.

High Completion Rates.  Ask the HVAC 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 program. A low completion rate may signify that students were dissatisfied with the program and quit. It could also indicate that the teachers were not competent to train the students. It’s similarly imperative that the schools have high job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a more extensive directory of graduates, which may mean more contacts for the school to employ 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 trade, but additionally that it has the network of Greenwood LA HVAC employers to help students acquire apprenticeships or jobs.

Apprenticeship Programs.  Most HVAC trade programs are taught in conjunction with an internship or an apprenticeship program. Those participating vocational and technical programs will help place you in an apprenticeship program within their network of HVAC businesses or labor unions. Check if the schools you are reviewing have working partnerships with local Greenwood LA HVAC companies. An apprenticeship not only provides a rewarding experience by furnishing hands-on training, but it also provides job opportunities and helps to establish relationships in the local HVAC professional community.

Modern Facilities.  Confirm that the campus facilities and the equipment 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 tech you are working under concerning what you should be expecting. If not, ask a local Greenwood LA HVAC contractor if they can give you some pointers. Also keep in mind that unless you can move, the school must be within commuting distance of your Greenwood LA residence. Take note that if you decide to attend an out-of-state school, besides the added relocation costs there may be increased tuition charges compared to in-state residents.

Smaller Classes.   It’s desirable that you get as much individualized training as possible, which can be challenging in bigger classes. Ask if you can sit in on some of the classes so that you can observe how large they are and experience the interaction between teachers and students. Talk with several of the students and get their feedback relating to class sizes and instruction. Last, talk 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 evaluating are flexible enough to fulfill your needs. If you can only go to classes in the evening or on weekends near Greenwood LA, check that the programs you are looking at provide those choices. If you can only attend part-time, make certain that the school you select permits part-time enrollment. Additionally, find out what the policy is to make-up classes should you miss any because of work, illness or family issues.

Attending HVAC School near Greenwood LA?

Pick the Right HVAC Trade School near Greenwood LA

Picking the right HVAC training program is a critical beginning toward a rewarding career in the heating & cooling industry. As we have discussed in this article, you should choose a school and a certificate or degree program that are both accredited and have excellent reputations within the HVAC community. Other factors to search for are lots of practical training and state-of-the-art facilities. You need to visit each of the schools in person that you are most interested in to inspect 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. In addition, inquire about scheduling choices and whether or not evening or weekend classes are offered if needed. And don’t forget to inquire about financial aid and student loan options as well. If you ask the appropriate questions as we have laid out in our guidelines for evaluating schools, you’ll be able to filter your options so that you can make an educated decision. With the right training, hard work and commitment, you can eventually become a licensed HVAC specialist in Greenwood LA.

More Fabulous Cities in Louisiana

Business Results 1 - 10 of 32

Southern Air Heating and Cooling

3 Reviews

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

Phone:

1333 Southern Ave, Shreveport, LA 71101

Accutemp Cooling and Heating

5 Reviews

Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC

Phone:

8540 Box Rd, Shreveport, LA 71106

Pro-Kleen Affordable Services

1 Reviews

Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC

Phone:

7400 Glenleaf Rd, Lot 142, Shreveport, LA 71129

Ability Air Conditioning

3 Reviews

Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC

Phone:

Shreveport, LA 71107

Poston Heat & Air

3 Reviews

Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC, Air Duct Cleaning

Phone:

9826 Mansfield Rd, Shreveport, LA 71047

Payne Mechanical Services

1 Reviews

Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC, Plumbing, Home Automation

Phone:

7223 W Bert Kouns Industrial Lp, Shreveport, LA 71129

Air Zone

1 Reviews

Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC

Phone:

9529 Oleander Cir, Shreveport, LA 71118

Complete Air Solutions

1 Reviews

Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC

Phone:

4310 Barksdale Blvd, Ste 9173, Bossier City, LA 71113

Holts Heat, Air & Refrigeration HVAC

1 Reviews

Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC

Phone:

425 Willow Ridge Rd, Shreveport, LA 71106

Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning

1 Reviews

Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC

Phone:

2531 Samford Ave, Shreveport, LA 71103

 

The post HVAC Schools Near Me in Greenwood LA 71033 appeared first on Become an HVAC Technician.