Tag Archives: Accredited Local HVAC Classes near Van Buren AR 72956

HVAC Tech Training Van Buren AR

How to Choose the Right Heating and Cooling Certificate Program near Van Buren Arkansas

air conditioner condensers in Van Buren ARNow that you have decided on a career as a heating and cooling professional, the next step is to find an HVAC technical school near Van Buren AR. But with so many to choose from, how do you choose the right one to obtain the training that you require? Many future students will make their choice based entirely on the price of tuition or how near the school is to their residence. Even though these are significant considerations, they are not the only ones to take into account. Just some of the other details that you need to research are the graduation completion rates of the HVAC schools, their reputations, and if they are accredited by professional trade organizations. Those and other criteria will be covered in more detail later in this article. But before we explore how to pick an HVAC vocational school, let’s take a look at what a heating and air conditioning contractor does to become a licensed skilled tradesman.

How to Become an HVAC Specialist

Van Buren AR HVAC Tech installing water heaterHVAC is an acronym that is frequently used in the industry that stands for “Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning”. HVAC technicians provide services for the installation, repair and maintenance of air conditioners, furnaces, boilers, hot water heaters and heating systems. As professional tradesmen, they are generally required to be licensed, although each state and local municipality has its own prerequisites. Obtaining professional certification is not required, but an alternative way for Van Buren AR HVAC technicians to prove that they are highly proficient and experienced in their area of specialization. There are multiple acknowledged certifications within the trade that are available. Below are a few of the significant ones.

  • North American Technician Excellence (NATE). NATE is a nationally recognized certification for HVAC technicians. The certification is earned by passing a competency exam and can be earned in one or more specialties.
  • HVAC Excellence. This certification makes available both a professional and a master specialist credential. Two years of field experience as well as passing a comprehensive examination are needed for the professional level certification. Master specialists need to have three years of experience together with a passing score on the professional level exam. Similar to NATE, certifications are offered in multiple specialties.
  • EPA Section 608. This certification is required for technicians that handle refrigerants. There are three forms of certification offered, one for small appliances, and the additional two for low and high pressure refrigerants.

Because licensing might be mandated in your location, and you may also intend to acquire certification, it’s important that you pick an HVAC technical school that will train you for both. And since you will most likely be handling refrigerants, make sure that the school you choose readies you for passing the EPA Section 608 exams.

HVAC Certificate and Degree Schools

radiator heater in Van Buren AR homeThere are a number of options available for HVAC instruction in a vocational or trade school. You can earn a certificate, an Associate Degree, or a Bachelor’s Degree. Earning a certificate will take the lesser period of time, usually accomplished in just 6 months, however some programs 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 programs can provide a competitive edge for securing employment and will furnish more extensive training than the certificate programs. Below is a brief explanation of each credential offered near Van Buren AR.

  • Certificate. Generally requiring a high school diploma, certificate programs are preferred among beginning commercial or residential HVAC specialists. They furnish a solid foundation of skills for employment within the trade.
  • Associate Degree. The Associate Degree in HVAC program provides a more exhaustive understanding of heating and a/c systems than the certificate program. Usually taking 2 years to complete, a number of degrees incorporate an internship or work-study program.
  • Bachelor’s Degree. The Bachelor’s Degree in HVAC is geared more towards a career in management or even business ownership. Some programs call for an Associate Degree, while others are a traditional four year program. In addition to mastering how to service and maintain heating and cooling systems, you will also study how to design them.

Choosing the ideal credential program will be based on what your future career aspirations are, as well as the time and financial resources that you have to commit. One option is to begin with a certificate or perhaps an Associate Degree program, and after gaining some experience in the trade in Van Buren AR, later returning to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree. If this is your approach, be sure to ask the HVAC tech school you are looking at about how their returning student program works.

HVAC Classes Online

Van Buren AR student attending HVAC school onlineAttending an HVAC program online is one approach to getting your education and earning a certificate or degree. Nearly all schools will require some attendance on campus to take part in practical training. A number also provide internship or work-study programs in addition to or as an alternative to practical lab work. But since the balance of the classes can be attended via the internet, this alternative may be a more convenient solution for many Van Buren AR students that are pressed for time. And many online degree programs are more economical than other on campus options. Even travelling expenses from Van Buren and study materials can be lessened, helping to make schooling more affordable. And numerous online programs are fully accredited (more on this later). So if your career or family responsibilities have left you with minimal time to attend classes, maybe an online HVAC degree program will make it more convenient to accommodate school into your hectic lifestyle.

What to Ask HVAC Certification Courses

Questions to ask Van Buren AR HVAC training schoolsAs soon as you have decided on the type of degree or certificate that you would like to obtain, either online or on campus, you can begin to decrease your selection of schools. As you are certainly aware, there are many HVAC trade schools in the Van Buren AR area and across the Country to select from. That’s why it is imperative to have a list of key qualifiers when making school evaluations. As previously mentioned in our opening paragraph, tuition and location will most likely be the initial 2 variables you will take into consideration. Following are several additional ones that you will want to investigate before enrolling in your school of choice.

Accreditation.  Many HVAC trade programs in the Van Buren AR area have attained 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 an individual program, for instance HVAC technology. Make certain that the school is accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting organization, for instance the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. In addition to helping ensure that you get an excellent education, it can help in securing financial aid or student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited programs. Furthermore, some states require that the HVAC training course be accredited for it to qualify for licensing.

High Completion Rates.  Ask the HVAC schools you are considering what their completion rates are. The completion rate is the percentage or portion of students who enroll in and finish the course. A lower completion rate may suggest that students were disappointed with the course and dropped out. It might also suggest that the instructors were not competent to train 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 graduates, which may result in more contacts for the school to employ 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 trade, but additionally that it has the network of Van Buren AR HVAC employers to help graduates secure apprenticeships or employment.

Apprenticeship Programs.  Numerous HVAC trade programs are taught in conjunction with an apprenticeship or an internship program. Those participating trade and technical programs will help place you in an apprenticeship program within their network of HVAC companies or trade unions. Ask if the schools you are comparing have referring partnerships with local Van Buren AR HVAC professionals. An apprenticeship not only provides a valuable experience by supplying practical training, but it also provides job opportunities and helps to form relationships in the regional HVAC professional community.

Modern Facilities.  Confirm that the campus 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 presently in an internship or an apprenticeship, talk to the HVAC specialist you are working under regarding what you should be looking for. If not, ask a local Van Buren AR HVAC contracting company if they can give you some pointers. Additionally bear in mind that unless you are willing to relocate, the school needs to be within commuting distance of your Van Buren AR home. Take note that if you decide to attend an out-of-state school, in addition to moving costs there might be increased tuition charges compared to in-state residents.

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

Flexible Scheduling.  Verify that the class schedules for the schools you are evaluating are flexible enough to meet your needs. If you are only able to attend classes in the evening or on weekends near Van Buren AR, check that the programs you are looking at provide those options. If you can only attend part-time, make sure that the school you select permits part-time enrollment. Additionally, check out what the protocol is to make-up classes should you miss any because of work, sickness or family issues.

Considering an HVAC School near Van Buren AR?

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

Van Buren, Arkansas

Van Buren /væn ˈbjʊərən/ is the second largest city in the Fort Smith, Arkansas-Oklahoma Metropolitan Statistical Area and the county seat of Crawford County, Arkansas, United States.[4] The city is located directly northeast of Fort Smith at the Interstate 40 - Interstate 540 junction. The city was incorporated in 1845 and as of the 2010 census had a population of 22,791,[5] ranking it as the state's 22nd largest city, behind Searcy.

The area was settled by David Boyd and Thomas Martin in 1818. After Arkansas became a territory in 1819 Daniel and Thomas Phillips constructed a lumber yard in the community to serve as a fuel depot for traffic along the Arkansas River. In 1831 a post office was constructed for the community, at the time known as Phillips Landing. This post office was named after the newly appointed Secretary of State, Martin Van Buren.[6]

John Drennen, along with his partner David Thompson, purchased the area for US$11,000. They moved their business of supplying firewood for steamboats to this new location on higher ground. The courthouse was constructed on a lot of land donated by Drennen on the condition that Van Buren become the county seat. The Drennen Reserve is one of the town's existing historical sites from the 1830s.[7]

HVAC Tech Training Van Buren AR

Choosing the ideal HVAC training course is a critical beginning toward a rewarding career in the heating & cooling trade. You originally came to this website because you wanted more information regarding HVAC Tech Training. However, as we have discussed in this post, you should select an Heating and Cooling vocational school and a certificate or degree program that are both accredited and have excellent reputations within the HVAC community. Other factors 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 speak with both the current students and faculty. Try to get a feel for the quality of the training and the interaction between them. Additionally, inquire about scheduling options and whether night or weekend classes are offered if needed. And remember to ask about financial aid and student loan options too. If you ask the proper questions as we have detailed in our checklist for evaluating schools, you’ll be able to filter your choices so that you can make an educated decision. With the appropriate training, hard work and dedication, you can ultimately become a licensed HVAC contractor in Van Buren AR.

More Hot and Cool Locations in Arkansas

  • HVAC Online Course Lowell AR
  • HVAC Training Online Gassville AR
  • HVAC Certification Online Courses Calico Rock AR
  • Heating and Air Conditioning Training Online Weiner AR
  • Best HVAC Schools Newark AR
  • How To Become an HVAC Technician Pocahontas AR
  • HVAC Vocational School Leslie AR
  • Online HVAC Degree Mountainburg AR
  • HVAC Training and Certification Russellville AR
  • HVAC Service Manager Training Augusta AR
  •  

     

    The location could not be found.

     

    Business Results 1 - 10 of 12

    All State Heating and Air
    2 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    Van Buren, AR 72956

    Atchley Air Conditioning & Heating
    3 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    3100 Wheeler Ave, Fort Smith, AR 72901

    Baker Brothers Heating & Air
    1 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    Fort Smith, AR 72904

    Temperature Controller
    1 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    8804 Houston St, Fort Smith, AR 72903

    Comfort Heating & Air
    2 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    21696 Stick Ross Mt Rd, Tahlequah, OK 74464

    Dutton HVAC
    2 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    33 S Centennial Ave, West Fork, AR 72774

    Paschal Air, Plumbing & Electric
    20 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC, Plumbing, Electricians
    Phone:
    280 N Maestri Rd, Springdale, AR 72762

    B&J Heating and Air
    1 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC, Air Duct Cleaning
    Phone:
    401 S 9th St, Fort Smith, AR 72901

    Ken Whalen
    1 Reviews
    Metal Fabricators, Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    3901 Wheeler Ave, Fort Smith, AR 72901

    Robbins Refrigeration
    1 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    Fort Smith, AR 72916