Tag Archives: Accredited Local HVAC Classes near Forsyth GA 31029

Heating and Air Conditioning Trade Schools Forsyth GA

How to Find the Right HVAC Training Class near Forsyth Georgia

air conditioner condensers in Forsyth GANow that you have made a decision on a career as a heating and air conditioner technician, the next action is to find an HVAC technical school near Forsyth GA. But with so many to choose from, how do you select the right one to receive the training that you require? Some future students will make their choice based entirely on the price of tuition or how near the school is to their home. Even though these are relevant factors to consider, they are not the only ones to evaluate. Just some of the other details 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. Those and other benchmarks will be addressed in more detail later within this article. But before we discuss how to choose an HVAC technical school, let’s look at what a heating and a/c professional does to become a licensed professional tradesman.

Becoming an HVAC Tech

Forsyth GA HVAC Tech installing water heaterHVAC is an acronym that is extensively used in the business that stands for “Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning”. HVAC techs specialize in the installation, maintenance and repair of air conditioners, furnaces, boilers, hot water heaters and heating systems. As professional tradesmen, they are typically required to be licensed, although every state and regional municipality has its own prerequisites. Attaining professional certification is not required, but an alternative means for Forsyth GA HVAC specialists to demonstrate that they are exceptionally proficient and accomplished in their area of expertise. There are several acknowledged certifications within the trade that are available. Here 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 competency examination and may be acquired in one or more specialties.
  • HVAC Excellence. This certification makes available both a professional and a master specialist credential. Two years of professional experience together with passing a comprehensive exam are required for the professional level certification. Master specialists must have three 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 required for techs that work with refrigerants. There are 3 forms of certification obtainable, one for small appliances, and the additional two for low and high pressure refrigerants.

Since licensing could be mandated in your location, and you may also wish to acquire certification, it’s important that you select an HVAC technical school that will train you for both. And since you will more than likely be dealing with refrigerants, make sure that the program you select preps you for passing the EPA Section 608 examinations.

HVAC Certificate and Degree Training Programs

radiator heater in Forsyth GA homeThere are a number of alternatives offered for HVAC training in a vocational or trade school. You can attain a certificate, an Associate Degree, or a Bachelor’s Degree. Acquiring a certificate will take the lesser period of time, often completed in as little as 6 months, however some courses are longer. A certificate will train you for the majority of HVAC positions, especially if you are licensed and have certification relevant to the position. The degree training programs may provide a competitive edge in the job market and will provide more in-depth training than the certificate programs. Below is a brief explanation of each option offered near Forsyth GA.

  • Certificate. Normally requiring a high school diploma, certificate programs are very popular among entry level commercial or residential HVAC technicians. They furnish a solid foundation of skills for employment within the industry.
  • Associate Degree. The Associate Degree in HVAC program delivers a more exhaustive knowledge of heating and a/c systems than the certificate program. Generally taking 2 years to finish, a number of degrees include an internship or work-study program.
  • Bachelor’s Degree. The Bachelor’s Degree in HVAC is tailored more for a career in management as well as business ownership. Some programs require an Associate Degree, while others are a conventional four year program. In addition to being taught how to service and maintain heating and cooling systems, you will also study how to design them.

Selecting the appropriate credential program will be based on what your long term career aspirations are, together with the time and money that you have to invest. One approach is to start with a certificate or perhaps an Associate Degree program, and after getting some experience in the trade in Forsyth GA, later going back to earn a Bachelor’s Degree. If this is your tactic, make sure to ask the HVAC technician school you are looking at about how their returning student program works.

HVAC Classes Online

Forsyth GA student attending HVAC school onlineEnrolling in an HVAC program online is one possibility to getting your training and earning a certificate or degree. Almost all schools will require some attendance on campus to complete hands on training. Some also sponsor internship or work-study programs in addition to or instead of practical lab work. But since the remainder of the classes may be attended on the web, this approach may be a more practical solution for some Forsyth GA students that are pressed for time. And many online degree programs are less costly than other traditional alternatives. Even travelling expenses from Forsyth and study materials can be minimized, helping to make education more economical. And many online programs are fully accredited (more on this later). So if your career or family commitments have left you with limited time to attend classes, maybe an HVAC online training program will make it easier to fit school into your active lifestyle.

What to Ask HVAC Trade Schools

Questions to ask Forsyth GA HVAC training schoolsAs soon as you have selected the type of degree or certificate that you wish to obtain, either online or on campus, you can start to limit your selection of schools. As you are no doubt aware, there are a large number of HVAC trade schools in the Forsyth GA area and across the USA to choose from. That’s why it is imperative to have a checklist of relevant qualifiers when making school evaluations. As previously mentioned in our opening paragraph, tuition and location will most likely be the first 2 variables you will take into consideration. Following are some additional ones that you should research before enrolling in your school of choice.

Accreditation.  Many HVAC technical programs in the Forsyth GA area have earned either a regional or a national accreditation. They can earn Institutional Accreditation, which involves the school’s programs as a whole, or Programmatic Accreditation, which pertains to an individual program, for instance HVAC technology. Verify that the school is accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting agency, such as the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. In addition to helping guarantee that you obtain a quality education, it may help in obtaining financial assistance or student loans, which are in many cases unavailable for non-accredited programs. Furthermore, a number of states mandate that the HVAC training program be accredited for it to be approved for licensing.

High Completion Rates.  Ask the HVAC schools you are considering what their completion rates are. The completion rate is the percentage of students who enroll in and complete the course. A low completion rate may suggest that students were unhappy with the course and quit. It might also indicate that the teachers were not qualified to instruct the students. It’s also important that the schools have high job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a broader list of graduates, which can result in 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 field, but additionally that it has the network of Forsyth GA HVAC employers to assist graduates obtain apprenticeships or jobs.

Apprenticeship Programs.  A large number of HVAC trade programs are taught together with an internship or an apprenticeship program. Those participating vocational and trade schools will help place you in an apprenticeship program inside their network of Heating and Cooling companies or trade unions. Ask if the schools you are considering have working relationships with local Forsyth GA HVAC specialists. An apprenticeship not only offers a valuable experience by providing hands-on training, but it also furnishes employment opportunities and helps to establish relationships in the regional HVAC professional community.

Modern Facilities.  Make sure that the campus facilities and the equipment that you will be trained on are state-of-the-art and what you will be working with on the job. If you are already in an internship or an apprenticeship, check with the HVAC specialist you are working with concerning what you should be looking for. If not, ask a local Forsyth GA HVAC contracting company if they can give you some tips. Also bear in mind that unless you are willing to relocate, the school must be within commuting distance of your Forsyth GA home. Take note that if you decide to enroll in an out-of-state school, in addition to relocation costs there can be increased tuition charges compared to in-state residents.

Smaller Classes.   It’s important that you receive as much one-on-one instruction as possible, which can be challenging in bigger classes. Ask if you can monitor a few of the classes so that you can observe how big they are and experience the interaction between students and instructors. Speak with several of the students and get their opinions regarding class sizes and instruction. Finally, talk with a few of the instructors and find out what their level of experience is and what degrees or certifications they hold.

Flexible Scheduling.  Confirm that the class schedules for the schools you are assessing are flexible enough to fulfill your needs. If you are only able to go to classes in the evening or on weekends near Forsyth GA, check that the schools you are looking at offer those choices. If you can only attend part-time, make certain that the school you select permits part-time enrollment. Finally, check out what the protocol is to make-up classes should you miss any due to work, illness or family emergencies.

Considering an HVAC School near Forsyth GA?

Perhaps you are considering enrolling in an HVAC training program in the Forsyth Georgia area.  If so, you may find the following background information about the location of your new school campus both interesting and informative.

Forsyth, Georgia

Forsyth is a city in Monroe County, Georgia, United States. It is the county seat of Monroe County.[4][5] The population was 3,776 at the 2000 census. Forsyth is part of the Macon Metropolitan Statistical Area.

The Forsyth Commercial Historic District is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a tourist attraction. It includes the Monroe County Courthouse and Courthouse Square as well as the surrounding area, including several examples of 19th-century architecture. Forsyth is also home to the Confederate Cemetery, Tift College and Rum Creek Wildlife Management Area.[5]

Forsyth was laid out in 1823.[6] That same year, the seat of Monroe County was transferred to Forsyth from Johnstonville. Forsyth, Georgia was named for John Forsyth, Governor of Georgia from 1827 to 1829 and Secretary of State under Presidents Andrew Jackson and Martin Van Buren.[7]

Heating and Air Conditioning Trade Schools Forsyth GA

Choosing the right HVAC school course is a crucial first step toward a fulfilling career in the heating and air conditioning trade. You originally came to this website because you wanted more information regarding Heating and Air Conditioning Trade Schools. However, as we have covered in this post, you should pick an HVAC training program and a certificate or degree program that are both accredited and have outstanding reputations within the HVAC profession. Other factors to look for are plenty of hands-on training and modern facilities. You need to check out each of the schools personally that you are most interested in to explore the campus and speak with both the current students and faculty. Try to get a feel for the quality of the instruction and the interaction between them. Additionally, inquire about scheduling choices and if evening or weekend classes are available if needed. And remember to inquire about financial aid and student loan options also. If you ask the right questions as we have detailed in our checklist for evaluating schools, you’ll be able to narrow down your options so that you can make an informed decision. With the right training, hard work and commitment, you can eventually become a licensed HVAC specialist in Forsyth GA.

More Hot and Cool Locations in Georgia

  • Top Heating and Air Conditioning Training Schools Tunnel Hill GA
  • HVAC Online Training Colquitt GA
  • Air Conditioning and Heating School Menlo GA
  • HVAC Training Buford GA
  • Online HVAC Training Courses Rockmart GA
  • Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Training Lenox GA
  • HVAC College Covington GA
  • HVAC Class Winder GA
  • Air Conditioning Programs Leslie GA
  • HVAC Technical School Franklin GA
  •  

     

    The location could not be found.

     

    Business Results 1 - 10 of 66

    Head Heating & Air Conditioning
    1 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    115 Industrial Park Dr, Forsyth, GA 31029

    J&R Heating and Cooling
    17 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    Fayetteville, GA 30215

    Hammond Services
    11 Reviews
    Electricians, Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    644 E McIntosh Rd, Griffin, GA 30223

    EnergyWise Heating and Air Conditioning
    1 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    Monticello, GA 31064

    Meeks Heating & Air
    6 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    1775 Locust Grove Rd, Griffin, GA 30223

    Trinity Air Heating & Air Conditioning
    10 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    101 Tdk Blvd, Ste D, Peachtree City, GA 30269

    Welch Brian Heating & Air Conditioning
    1 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    1427 Klopfer Rd, Juliette, GA 31046

    Bucky Holland Heating & Air
    2 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC, Air Duct Cleaning
    Phone:
    4350 Interstate Dr, Macon, GA 31210

    Peach Heating and Cooling
    2 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    205 Fountain St, Fort Valley, GA 31030

    North Macon Heating & Cooling
    1 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    187 Rivoli Lndg, Macon, GA 31210