The HVAC apprenticeship can be very lengthy, when compared to most career fields and is normally a state requirement, in order to qualify for certification as an HVAC installer or system designer. The HVAC apprenticeship is a structured training program that’s designed to prepare an individual for employment working in this field. The apprenticeship will combine on the job training with classroom instruction, with the field training done under the supervision if a certified tech.
What can an Apprenticeship Offer?
Individuals that complete an apprenticeship program can expect to have more job opportunities, with positions that offer a higher salary. Statistics have shown that HVAC techs that have completed this type of training program earn more each year as opposed to individuals that have only completed basic on the job training programs. Professionals that have completed an apprenticeship are also more likely to be promoted sooner and more often than a tech that has not been trained through this type of program.
Should an employer need a trained worker, they will benefit from an apprenticeship program. This type of program has been proven to produce highly motivated professionals who learn their jobs at a much quicker rate and who are more loyal to their employers. The starting wage for an apprentice is typically half of what a trained professional in this field will earn. The wages are paid in proportion to the skill level and the ability of the apprentice.
How you can qualify for an Apprenticeship
The HVAC tech apprentice will typically work for a refrigeration contractor. The training will involve repair and maintenance of refrigeration units, in addition to maintenance and repair of air conditioning units for commercial and residential buildings.
To qualify for an apprenticeship the applicant should be at least eighteen years of age, have a GED or high school diploma, pass a physical exam and be able to write, read and speak English. Other qualifications will include attending classes two to three nights a week, having a valid driver’s license, and proof of the legal right to work in the US.
The benefits from an apprenticeship program will include dental and medical coverage, in addition to supplemental pension plan benefits.
Most apprenticeships are four to five years in length, requiring the apprentice to work a total amount of eight thousand hours, in order to qualify for certification as an HVAC tech. All apprentices will be required to complete a total of two hundred hours of classroom instruction. The income for the trainee will increase once they have completed the number of field training and classroom instruction hours.
Most formal training programs will have apprenticeship placement programs, which allows a student to begin their field training while still enrolled in classes. Some schools will not have this type of program and the student will be required to apply for apprenticeships on their own.