Now that you have made a decision on a career as a heating and air conditioning professional, the next step is to find an HVAC technical school near Hazel Park MI. But with so many to choose from, how do you decide on the right one to receive the training that you need? Many potential students will make their selection based solely on the cost of tuition or how close the school is to their residence. Even though these are important considerations, they are not the only ones to take into account. 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 other benchmarks will be addressed in more detail later within this article. But before we tackle how to choose an HVAC technical school, let’s take a look at what a heating and cooling contractor 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 Hazel Park MI

HVAC is an acronym that is extensively used in the business that stands for “Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning”. HVAC contractors provide services for the installation, maintenance and repair of air conditioners, furnaces, boilers, water heaters and heating systems. As skilled tradesmen, they are generally required to be licensed, however every state and regional municipality has its own criteria. Earning professional certification is not mandatory, but a voluntary way for Hazel Park MI HVAC techs to establish that they are highly proficient and experienced in their area of expertise. There are several acknowledged certifications within the field that are available. Here are a few 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 offers both a professional and a master specialist credential. Two years of field experience in addition to passing a comprehensive exam are required for the professional level certification. Master specialists need to have three years of experience along with a passing result on the professional level examination. As with NATE, certifications are provided in various specialties.
• EPA Section 608. This certification is required for technicians that handle refrigerants. There are 3 forms of certification offered, one for small appliances, and the other two for low and high pressure refrigerants.

Since licensing may be mandated in your location, and you may also wish to obtain certification, it’s imperative that you enroll in an HVAC vocational school that will prepare you for both. And since you will probably be working with refrigerants, make certain that the program you pick prepares you for passing the EPA Section 608 exams.

HVAC Certificate and Degree Training Programs

There are several choices available for HVAC training in a technical or trade school. You can attain a certificate, an Associate Degree, or a Bachelor’s Degree. Earning a certificate will take the least amount of time, often achieved in as little as 6 months, although some programs are longer. A certificate will train you for the majority of HVAC positions, especially if you are licensed and have certification appropriate to the position. The degree training programs might provide a competitive edge for securing employment and will deliver more extensive training than the certificate programs. Following is a brief summary of each credential offered near Hazel Park MI.

• Certificate. Normally requiring a high school diploma, certificate programs are preferred among beginning commercial or residential HVAC specialists. They furnish a strong foundation of skills for job opportunities within the industry.
• Associate Degree. The Associate Degree in HVAC program delivers a more extensive background of heating & cooling systems than the certificate program. Usually taking 2 years to complete, many degrees incorporate 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 call for an Associate Degree, while others are a conventional four year program. In addition to learning how to service and maintain heating and air conditioning systems, you will also study how to design them.

Picking the appropriate credential program will be dependent on what your future career aspirations are, along with the time and money that you have to invest. One approach is to begin with a certificate or even an Associate Degree program, and after acquiring some experience in the field in Hazel Park MI, later going back to earn a Bachelor’s Degree. If this is your approach, make sure to ask the HVAC tech school you are looking at about how their returning student program works.

HVAC Online Schools

Choosing an HVAC program online is one possibility to attaining your education and earning a degree or certificate. Most schools will call for some attendance on campus to complete practical training. Some also sponsor internship or work-study programs in addition to or as an alternative to practical lab work. But since the balance of the classes may be attended via the internet, this option may be a more practical solution for many Hazel Park MI students that are short on time. And a number of online degree programs are less expensive than other traditional alternatives. Even driving expenses from Hazel Park and study supplies can be minimized, helping to make schooling more economical. And numerous online programs are fully accredited (more on this later). So if your job or family obligations have left you with limited time to attend classes, perhaps an HVAC online training program will make it less complicated to fit school into your hectic schedule.

What to Ask HVAC Certification Courses near Hazel Park MI

Once you have decided on the type of certificate or degree that you want to earn, either on campus or online, you can begin to narrow down your selection of schools. As you are no doubt aware, there are a large number of HVAC trade schools in the Hazel Park MI area and across the Country to select from. That’s why it is very important to have a checklist of important qualifications when making school comparisons. As earlier stated in our opening paragraph, tuition and location will most likely be the first two variables you will consider. Following are several additional ones that you need to investigate before enrolling in your school of choice.

Accreditation.  Numerous HVAC vocational programs in the Hazel Park MI area have attained 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 pertains to an individual program, such as HVAC technology. Confirm that the school and program are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting agency, which includes the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. In addition to helping guarantee that you acquire a superior education, it may assist in acquiring financial assistance or student loans, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited programs. Furthermore, some states require that the HVAC training course be accredited in order to qualify for licensing.

High Completion Rates.  Ask the Heating and Air Conditioning schools you are looking at what their completion rates are. The completion rate is the portion or percentage of students who enroll in and finish the program. A low completion rate could suggest that students were dissatisfied with the program and quit. It may also signify that the teachers were not qualified to train the students. It’s also imperative that the schools have higher job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a broader directory of alumni, which can mean more contacts for the school to utilize for their apprenticeship and job placement programs. A high job placement rate can not only confirm that the school has a good reputation within the field, but also that it has the network of Hazel Park MI HVAC employers to help graduates obtain apprenticeships or employment.

Apprenticeship Programs.  A large number of HVAC trade programs are taught in conjunction with an internship or an apprenticeship program. Those participating trade and vocational schools will help place you in an apprenticeship program inside their network of Heating and Cooling businesses or labor unions. Ask if the schools you are considering have working partnerships with local Hazel Park MI HVAC specialists. An apprenticeship not only provides a valuable experience by furnishing hands-on training, but it also supplies job opportunities and helps to establish relationships in the regional HVAC professional community.

Modern Facilities.  Confirm that the campus facilities and the equipment that you will be trained 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 specialist you are working with regarding what you should be looking for. Otherwise, ask a local Hazel Park MI HVAC company if they can give you some suggestions. Additionally keep in mind that unless you are able to move, the school needs to be within driving distance of your Hazel Park MI home. Remember that if you decide to enroll in an out-of-state school, besides the added moving costs there might be higher tuition charges compared to in-state residents.

Smaller Classes.   It’s desirable that you get as much one-on-one instruction as possible, which can be challenging in larger classes. Ask if you can sit in on some of the classes so that you can observe how big they are and experience the interaction between students and instructors. Speak with a few of the students and get their feedback concerning class sizes and instruction. Finally, speak with some of the teachers and find out what their level of expertise is and what degrees or certifications they have earned.

Flexible Scheduling.  Confirm that the class schedules for the programs you are assessing are flexible enough to handle your needs. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Hazel Park MI, check that the schools you are looking at provide those choices. If you can only attend part-time, make sure that the school you select offers part-time enrollment. Additionally, ask what the policy is to make-up classes should you miss any due to work, sickness or family emergencies.

Attending HVAC School near Hazel Park MI?

Choose the Right HVAC Training Classes near Hazel Park MI

Enrolling in the right HVAC training course is an important first step toward a rewarding career in the heating & cooling industry. As we have addressed in this post, you need to select a vocational school and a certificate or degree program that are both accredited and have exceptional reputations within the HVAC trade. Other features to look for are sufficient practical training and state-of-the-art facilities. You need to visit each of the schools personally that you are most interested in to tour the campus and talk with both the current students and faculty. Attempt to get a feel for the quality of the teaching and the interaction between them. Additionally, inquire about scheduling options and if evening or weekend classes are available if needed. And don’t forget to inquire about financial aid and student loan options as well. If you ask the right questions as we have laid out in our checklist for comparing 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 commitment, you can eventually become a licensed HVAC contractor in Hazel Park MI.

More Fabulous Cities in Michigan

Business Results 1 - 10 of 385

McCarver Mechanical Heating and Cooling

64 Reviews

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

Phone:

32486 Dequindre, Warren, MI 48092

Emmi Heating & Cooling

21 Reviews

Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC

Phone:

1489 E 9 Mile Rd, Ferndale, MI 48220

Calverley Heating & Cooling

7 Reviews

Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC

Phone:

24321 John R Rd, Hazel Park, MI 48030

Soltman Heating & Cooling

6 Reviews

Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC

Phone:

8650 W 9 Mile Rd, Oak Park, MI 48237

Prime Time Heating and Cooling

71 Reviews

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

Phone:

36953 Schoolcraft Rd, Livonia, MI 48150

A & E Heating & Cooling

3 Reviews

Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC

Phone:

11647 Joseph Campau St, Hamtramck, MI 48212

Beyer Heating & Cooling

10 Reviews

Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC

Phone:

1880 E 9 Mile Rd, Ferndale, MI 48220

Air Clinic Heating and Cooling

1 Reviews

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

Phone:

26536 Barrington St, Madison Heights, MI 48071

Family Heating, Cooling & Electrical

4 Reviews

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

Phone:

26324 John R Rd, Madison Heights, MI 48071

Comfort Plus, LC Heating & Cooling

12 Reviews

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

Phone:

1647 Rochester Rd, Troy, MI 48083

 

The post HVAC Schools Near Me in Hazel Park MI 48030 appeared first on Become an HVAC Technician.