Tag Archives: Accredited Local HVAC Classes near Plainview AR 72857

HVAC Online Schools Plainview AR

How to Choose the Right HVAC Certificate Program near Plainview Arkansas

air conditioner condensers in Plainview ARNow that you have made a decision on a career as a heating and air conditioner professional, the next step is to locate an HVAC trade school near Plainview AR. But with so many to choose from, how do you decide on the best one to receive the training that you require? Some future students will make their selection based solely on the cost of tuition or how near the school is to their home. While these are necessary considerations, they are not the only ones to investigate. Some of the other details that you need to investigate are the graduation completion 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 select an HVAC technical school, let’s look at what a heating and a/c professional does to become a licensed qualified tradesman.

Becoming an HVAC Professional

Plainview AR HVAC Tech installing water heaterHVAC is an acronym that is widely used in the trade that stands for “Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning”. HVAC techs provide services for the installation, repair and maintenance of air conditioners, furnaces, boilers, water heaters and heating systems. As professional tradesmen, they are typically required to be licensed, although every state and regional municipality has its own requirements. Earning professional certification is not required, but a voluntary means for Plainview AR HVAC technicians to prove that they are highly qualified and experienced in their area of expertise. There are several respected certifications within the field that are available. Here are some of the significant ones.

  • North American Technician Excellence (NATE). NATE is a nationally recognized certification for HVAC techs. The certification is achieved by passing a proficiency examination 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 field experience as well as passing a comprehensive exam 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. As with NATE, certifications are offered in several specialties.
  • EPA Section 608. This certification is mandatory for technicians that work with 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 might be required in your location, and you may also wish to acquire certification, it’s essential that you select an HVAC technical school that will prepare you for both. And since you will more than likely be working with refrigerants, make sure that the school you choose readies you for passing the EPA Section 608 examinations.

HVAC Degree and Certificate Schools

radiator heater in Plainview AR homeThere are a variety of choices offered for HVAC instruction in a technical or trade school. You can earn a certificate, an Associate Degree, or a Bachelor’s Degree. Obtaining a certificate will take the minimum period of time, usually achieved in just 6 months, however some courses are longer. A certificate will qualify you for the majority of HVAC positions, particularly if you are licensed and have certification related to the position. The degree training programs may provide a competitive advantage for securing employment and will deliver more comprehensive training than the certificate programs. Below is a brief description of each credential offered near Plainview AR.

  • Certificate. Generally requiring a high school diploma, certificate programs are preferred among entry level 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 exhaustive understanding of heating & cooling systems than the certificate program. Normally taking two years to finish, some degrees feature an internship or work-study program.
  • Bachelor’s Degree. The Bachelor’s Degree in HVAC is geared more for a career in management or even business ownership. Some programs require an Associate Degree, while others are a traditional 4 year program. In addition to mastering how to service and maintain heating and cooling systems, you will also learn how to design them.

Choosing the ideal credential program will be dependent on what your future career goals are, together with the time and money that you have to commit. One option is to start with a certificate or even an Associate Degree program, and after acquiring some experience in the field in Plainview AR, eventually returning to earn a Bachelor’s Degree. If this is your approach, make sure to ask the HVAC technician school you are looking at about how their returning student program works.

HVAC Schools Online

Plainview AR student attending HVAC school onlineChoosing an HVAC program online is one alternative to getting your education and earning a degree or certificate. Almost all schools will require some attendance on campus to complete hands on training. Some also offer internship or work-study programs in addition to or in place of practical lab work. But since the rest of the classes may be attended online, this alternative may be a more practical solution for many Plainview AR students that are pressed for time. And a number of online degree programs are less costly than other on campus alternatives. Even driving expenses from Plainview and study materials may be minimized, helping to make schooling more budget-friendly. And numerous online programs are fully accredited (more on this later). So if your work 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 busy schedule.

Questions to Ask HVAC Certification Classes

Questions to ask Plainview AR HVAC training schoolsAs soon as you have selected the type of certificate or degree that you wish to attain, either on campus or online, you can start to narrow down your list of schools. As you are certainly aware, there are numerous HVAC vocational schools in the Plainview AR area and across the Country to pick from. That’s why it is extremely important to have a checklist of relevant qualifications when making school comparisons. As previously stated in our opening paragraph, location and tuition will probably be the first 2 factors you will consider. Following are several additional ones that you need to explore before enrolling in your school of choice.

Accreditation.  A large number of HVAC trade programs in the Plainview AR area have acquired either a regional or a national accreditation. They may receive Institutional Accreditation, which focuses on the school’s programs overall, or Programmatic Accreditation, which relates to a specific program, such as HVAC technology. Confirm 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 guarantee that you acquire a quality education, it may assist in securing financial aid or student loans, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited programs. Furthermore, some states mandate that the HVAC training program be accredited in order to qualify for licensing.

High Completion Rates.  Ask the Heating and Cooling schools you are looking at what their completion rates are. The completion rate is the percentage of students who enroll in and complete the course. A lower completion rate might suggest that students were unhappy with the program and quit. It may also indicate that the instructors were not competent to instruct the students. It’s also important that the schools have higher job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a broader directory of alumni, which can result in more contacts for the school to utilize for their apprenticeship and job placement programs. A high job placement rate will not only confirm that the school has an excellent reputation within the trade, but additionally that it has the network of Plainview AR HVAC employers to help graduates acquire apprenticeships or jobs.

Apprenticeship Programs.  Many HVAC technical programs are taught together with an internship or an apprenticeship program. Those participating vocational and technical schools will help place you in an apprenticeship program inside their network of Heating and Cooling businesses or trade unions. Ask if the schools you are considering have referring relationships with local Plainview AR HVAC contractors. An apprenticeship not only offers a rewarding experience by furnishing hands-on training, but it also provides employment opportunities and helps to form relationships in the regional HVAC professional community.

Modern Facilities.  Make certain that the school facilities and the tools that you will be instructed on are up-to-date and what you will be using on the job. If you are currently in an internship or an apprenticeship, consult with the HVAC tech you are working with regarding what you should be expecting. Otherwise, ask a local Plainview AR HVAC contractor if they can give you some tips. Also bear in mind that unless you can move, the school must be within driving distance of your Plainview AR home. Remember that if you decide to enroll in an out-of-state school, in addition to moving costs there can be higher tuition charges compared to in-state residents.

Smaller Classes.   It’s important 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 a couple of the classes so that you can observe how large they are and witness first hand the interaction between instructors and students. Talk to some of the students and get their comments relating to class sizes and instruction. Finally, speak to some of the teachers and learn what their level of expertise is and what degrees or certifications they have earned.

Flexible Scheduling.  Verify that the class schedules for the programs you are evaluating are flexible enough to fulfill your needs. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Plainview AR, confirm that the schools you are considering provide those choices. If you can only attend on a part-time basis, be sure that the school you select allows part-time enrollment. Also, check out what the protocol is to make-up classes should you miss any because of work, illness or family emergencies.

Considering an HVAC School near Plainview AR?

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

Plainview, Arkansas

As of the census[5] of 2000, there were 755 people, 287 households, and 212 families residing in the city. The population density was 522.7 people per square mile (202.4/km²). There were 347 housing units at an average density of 240.3/sq mi (93.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 92.85% White, 0.13% Black or African American, 0.53% Native American, 6.36% from other races, and 0.13% from two or more races. 6.36% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 287 households out of which 34.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.8% were married couples living together, 10.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.1% were non-families. 24.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.06.

In the city, the population was spread out with 28.2% under the age of 18, 10.3% from 18 to 24, 26.4% from 25 to 44, 17.1% from 45 to 64, and 18.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.8 males.

HVAC Online Schools Plainview AR

Choosing the ideal HVAC training course is an important first step toward a rewarding career in the heating & cooling field. You originally came to this website because you wanted more information regarding HVAC Online Schools. However, as we have discussed in this article, you should pick an HVAC technical school and a degree or certificate program that are both accredited and have exceptional reputations within the HVAC trade. Other things to look for are ample hands-on training and state-of-the-art 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 training and the interaction between them. Also, ask about scheduling choices and if night or weekend classes are offered if needed. And don’t forget to inquire about financial assistance and student loan options also. If you ask the appropriate questions as we have outlined in our checklist for assessing schools, you’ll be able to filter your choices so that you can make an educated decision. With the appropriate training, hard work and commitment, you can eventually become a licensed HVAC technician in Plainview AR.

More Hot and Cool Locations in Arkansas

  • HVAC Technician School North Little Rock AR
  • How to Choose HVAC Training Classes Humphrey AR
  • HVAC Schools Online Gentry AR
  • HVAC Online Course Lowell AR
  • HVAC Class Lepanto AR
  • How to Choose HVAC Certification Training Helena AR
  • Online HVAC Schools Pottsville AR
  • Classes for HVAC Certificate Booneville AR
  • HVAC Course Outline Brinkley AR
  • School for Air Conditioning and Heating State University AR
  •  

     

    The location could not be found.

     

    Business Results 1 - 10 of 12

    Arkansas River Valley Heating and Air
    1 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    707 E 4th St, Russellville, AR 72834

    Airtech Heating & Cooling LLC
    1 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    Dardanelle, AR 72834

    Johnston Heating & Air Conditioning
    2 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    196 Carmona Rd, Hot Springs Village, AR 71909

    Dependable Air Conditioning
    1 Reviews
    Plumbing, Water Heater Installation/Repair
    Phone:
    3904 S Arkansas Ave, Russellville, AR 72802

    AR Air Solutions Plus
    1 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    Benton, AR 72019

    Griffin Electric Heat And Air
    2 Reviews
    Electricians, Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    2605 S Knoxville Ave, Russellville, AR 72802

    Carpenter Heating & Air
    1 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    432 Lockett Mountain Rd, Hot Springs, AR 71909

    Rood, Freddie Htg & Clg
    1 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    4810 W Main St, Russellville, AR 72801

    Northside Heating & Cooling
    2 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    521 Bird, Benton, AR 72015

    Son-Light Electric
    1 Reviews
    Electricians, Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    10 Henry Ct, Russellville, AR 72802