Now that you have made a decision on a career as a heating and air conditioner specialist, the next action is to choose an HVAC technical school near Bellmawr NJ. But with so many to select from, how do you select the best one to obtain the training that you need? Some prospective students will make their decision based solely on the price of tuition or how close the school is to their home. While these are necessary concerns, they are not the only ones to investigate. Just some of the other things that you need to look into are the graduation rates of the HVAC schools, their reputations, and if they are accredited by professional trade organizations. These and other benchmarks will be covered in more detail later in this article. But before we tackle how to pick an HVAC technical school, let’s look at what a heating and cooling 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 Tech in Bellmawr NJ

HVAC is an acronym that is frequently used in the trade that stands for “Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning”. HVAC techs specialize in the installation, repair and maintenance of air conditioners, furnaces, boilers, hot water heaters and heating systems. As professional tradesmen, they are typically mandated to be licensed, however every state and local municipality has its own criteria. Acquiring professional certification is not mandatory, but a voluntary way for Bellmawr NJ HVAC technicians to prove that they are highly skilled and accomplished in their area of expertise. There are several recognized certifications within the industry that are available. Below are a few of the significant ones.

• North American Technician Excellence (NATE). NATE is a nationally acknowledged certification for HVAC techs. The certification is earned by passing a proficiency examination and may be received in one or more specialties.
• HVAC Excellence. This certification offers both a professional and a master specialist credential. 2 years of field experience as well as passing a comprehensive examination are needed for the professional level certification. Master specialists must have three years of experience together with a passing score on the professional level exam. Similar to NATE, certifications are made available in multiple specialties.
• EPA Section 608. This certification is necessary for technicians that work with refrigerants. There are three types of certification obtainable, one for small appliances, and the additional two for low and high pressure refrigerants.

Considering that licensing may be mandated in your location, and you may also wish to obtain certification, it’s imperative that you select an HVAC technical school that will train you for both. And since you will probably be working with refrigerants, make sure that the school you choose prepares you for passing the EPA Section 608 examinations.

HVAC Degree Classes

There are a variety of options offered for HVAC instruction in a technical or vocational school. You can obtain a certificate, an Associate Degree, or a Bachelor’s Degree. Obtaining a certificate will take the least amount of time, often achieved in just 6 months, though some courses are longer. A certificate will qualify you for the majority of HVAC positions, particularly if you are licensed and have certification relevant to the position. The degree programs can provide a competitive advantage in the job market and will provide more extensive training than the certificate programs. Below is a short description of each credential offered near Bellmawr NJ.

• Certificate. Usually requiring a high school diploma, certificate programs are preferred among entry level residential or commercial HVAC specialists. They furnish a solid foundation of skills for job opportunities within the industry.
• Associate Degree. The Associate Degree in HVAC program supplies a more comprehensive background of heating & cooling systems than the certificate program. Usually taking two years to complete, some degrees include an internship or work-study program.
• Bachelor’s Degree. The Bachelor’s Degree in HVAC is suited more towards a career in management or even business ownership. Some programs call for an Associate Degree, while others are a conventional 4 year program. In addition to being taught how to service and maintain heating and air conditioning systems, you will also learn how to design them.

Selecting the ideal credential program will be based on what your long term career aspirations are, in addition to the time and financial resources that you have to commit. One possibility is to start with a certificate or perhaps an Associate Degree program, and after getting some experience in the field in Bellmawr NJ, eventually going back to acquire a Bachelor’s Degree. If this is your approach, make certain to ask the HVAC tech school you are looking at about how their returning student program works.

HVAC Online Training

Attending an HVAC program online is one option to obtaining your education and earning a certificate or degree. Almost all schools will call for some attendance on campus to take part in hands on training. Some also offer 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 online, this option may be a more practical solution for many Bellmawr NJ students that are short on time. And some online degree programs are more economical than other on campus alternatives. Even travelling expenses from Bellmawr and study supplies can be reduced, helping to make schooling more economical. And a large number of online programs are fully accredited (more on this later). So if your work or family responsibilities 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 lifestyle.

Questions For HVAC Training Programs near Bellmawr NJ

When you have picked the type of certificate or degree that you desire to obtain, either online or on campus, you can begin to decrease your selection of schools. As you are probably aware, there are numerous HVAC technical schools in the Bellmawr NJ area and all over the Country to pick from. That’s why it is extremely important to have a checklist of relevant qualifiers when making school evaluations. As previously stated in our opening paragraph, location and tuition will probably be the initial two factors you will look at. Following are some additional ones that you will want to explore before enrolling in your school of choice.

Accreditation.  A large number of HVAC trade schools in the Bellmawr NJ area have attained either a regional or a national accreditation. They may attain Institutional Accreditation, which involves the school’s programs as a whole, or Programmatic Accreditation, which pertains to a specific program, for example HVAC technology. Make sure that the program and school are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education approved accrediting agency, for instance the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. Along with helping guarantee that you acquire an excellent education, it may help in acquiring financial assistance or student loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited programs. Additionally, a number of states mandate that the HVAC training program be accredited for it to qualify for licensing.

High Completion Rates.  Ask the Heating and Cooling schools you are reviewing what their completion rates are. The completion rate is the portion or percentage of students who enroll in and finish the course. A low completion rate could signify that students were unhappy with the program and dropped out. It could also mean that the instructors were not competent 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 more extensive list of alumni, which may mean more contacts for the school to use for their apprenticeship and job placement programs. A high job placement rate can not only confirm that the school has an excellent reputation within the industry, but also that it has the network of Bellmawr NJ HVAC employers to assist grads secure apprenticeships or jobs.

Apprenticeship Programs.  Most HVAC technical programs are taught in conjunction with an internship or an apprenticeship program. Those participating vocational and technical schools will help place you in an apprenticeship program within their network of Heating and Cooling businesses or trade unions. Check if the schools you are considering have working partnerships with local Bellmawr NJ HVAC contractors. An apprenticeship not only provides a valuable experience by providing practical training, but it also supplies employment opportunities and helps to form relationships in the local HVAC professional community.

Modern Facilities.  Confirm that the campus facilities and the tools that you will be trained on are state-of-the-art and what you will be working with in the field. If you are currently in an internship or an apprenticeship, consult with the HVAC technician you are working with regarding what you should be looking for. Otherwise, ask a local Bellmawr NJ HVAC contracting company if they can give you some tips. Also keep in mind that unless you are able to move, the school must be within commuting distance of your Bellmawr NJ home. Remember that if you decide to enroll in an out-of-state school, in addition to relocation costs there may be increased tuition charges compared to in-state residents.

Smaller Classes.   It’s desirable that you receive as much individualized 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 experience the interaction between instructors and students. Talk to several of the students and get their opinions regarding class sizes and instruction. Finally, speak to some of the instructors and find out what their level of experience is and what degrees or certifications they have earned.

Flexible Scheduling.  Verify that the class schedules for the schools you are evaluating are flexible enough to handle your needs. If you are only able to attend classes in the evening or on weekends near Bellmawr NJ, verify that the schools you are looking at offer those choices. If you can only attend on a part-time basis, be sure that the school you select permits part-time enrollment. Finally, find out what the policy is to make-up classes should you miss any because of work, sickness or family emergencies.

Attending HVAC School near Bellmawr NJ?

Pick the Right HVAC Training Course near Bellmawr NJ

Choosing the right HVAC training course is a crucial first step toward a gratifying career in the heating and cooling field. As we have covered in this post, you need to select a trade school and a certificate or degree program that are both accredited and have excellent reputations within the HVAC profession. Other things to look for are sufficient 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 tour the campus and speak with both the faculty and current students. Attempt to get a feel for the quality of the teaching and the interaction between them. Also, ask about scheduling options 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 too. If you ask the right questions as we have outlined in our guidelines for comparing schools, you’ll be able to filter 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 contractor in Bellmawr NJ.

More Fabulous Cities in New Jersey

Business Results 1 - 10 of 795

Dean's Service

155 Reviews

Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC, Air Duct Cleaning, Insulation Installation

Phone:

Philadelphia, PA 19145

Green Air heating&cooling

90 Reviews

Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC

Phone:

1203 N 3rd St, Philadelphia, PA 19122

SK Heating and Air Conditioning

158 Reviews

Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC

Phone:

Philadelphia, PA 19130

Di Giovanni Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning

40 Reviews

Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC

Phone:

1116 Sigel St, Philadelphia, PA 19148

Lawrence Heating & Air

22 Reviews

Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC

Phone:

Philadelphia, PA 19125

CHF Mechanical Services

15 Reviews

Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC, Electricians

Phone:

540 W Porter St, Philadelphia, PA 19148

Adam Mechanical Heating & Air Conditioning

27 Reviews

Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC

Phone:

200 W Chester Pike, Havertown, PA 19083

Starr Heating and Air Conditioning

40 Reviews

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

Phone:

Philadelphia, PA 19123

Aaron Heating & Air Conditioning

91 Reviews

Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC

Phone:

Philadelphia, PA 19114

Fair Deal Heating & Cooling

10 Reviews

Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC

Phone:

1423 N Lawrence St, Philadelphia, PA 19122

 

The post HVAC Schools Near Me in Bellmawr NJ 08031 appeared first on Become an HVAC Technician.