Tag Archives: Accredited Local HVAC Trade Schools near Waupaca WI 54981

HVAC Trade Schools Waupaca WI

How to Select the Right Heating and Cooling Certification Course near Waupaca Wisconsin

air conditioner condensers in Waupaca WINow that you have come to a decision on a career as a heating and air conditioning technician, the next step is to locate an HVAC technical school near Waupaca WI. But with so many to choose from, how do you choose the best one to get the training that you need? Many future students will make their selection based exclusively on the cost of tuition or how close the school is to their residence. Even though these are necessary concerns, they are not the only ones to evaluate. Some of the other factors that you need to investigate 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 discussed in more detail later within this article. But before we examine how to choose an HVAC trade school, let’s take a look at what a heating and air conditioning contractor does to become a licensed qualified tradesman.

Becoming an HVAC Technician

Waupaca WI HVAC Tech installing water heaterHVAC is an acronym that is extensively used in the business that stands for “Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning”. HVAC professionals specialize in the installation, maintenance and repair of air conditioners, furnaces, boilers, water heaters and heating systems. As skilled tradesmen, they are typically mandated to be licensed, however every state and regional municipality has its own requirements. Attaining professional certification is not compulsory, but a voluntary means for Waupaca WI HVAC technicians to prove that they are highly skilled and experienced in their area of specialization. There are several acknowledged certifications within the trade that are available. Here are a few of the significant ones.

  • North American Technician Excellence (NATE). NATE is a nationally acknowledged certification for HVAC technicians. The certification is achieved by passing a competency exam and can be received in one or more specialties.
  • HVAC Excellence. This certification makes available both a professional and a master specialist credential. Two years of field experience in addition to passing a comprehensive exam are needed for the professional level certification. Master specialists need to have 3 years of experience in addition to a passing result on the professional level examination. Similar to NATE, certifications are offered in various specialties.
  • EPA Section 608. This certification is required for technicians that handle refrigerants. There are 3 forms of certification available, one for small appliances, and the other two for low and high pressure refrigerants.

Since licensing may be mandated in your area, and you may also wish to earn certification, it’s essential that you choose an HVAC technical school that will train you for both. And since you will probably be dealing with refrigerants, make certain that the program you choose readies you for passing the EPA Section 608 exams.

HVAC Certificate and Degree Courses

radiator heater in Waupaca WI homeThere are a variety of options offered for HVAC training in a trade or technical 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, however some programs are longer. A certificate will train you for the majority of HVAC positions, particularly if you are licensed and have certification related to the position. The degree programs may provide a competitive advantage for securing employment and will deliver more in-depth training than the certificate programs. Below is a brief explanation of each credential offered near Waupaca WI.

  • Certificate. Normally requiring a high school diploma, certificate programs are very popular among entry level commercial or residential HVAC specialists. They provide a solid foundation of skills for job opportunities within the industry.
  • Associate Degree. The Associate Degree in HVAC program provides a more extensive knowledge of heating and cooling systems than the certificate program. Normally requiring two years to finish, a number of degrees incorporate an internship or work-study program.
  • Bachelor’s Degree. The Bachelor’s Degree in HVAC is suited more for a career in management as well as business ownership. Some programs call for an Associate Degree, while others are a traditional 4 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 ideal credential program will be dependent on what your future career objectives are, along with the time and financial resources that you have to commit. One option is to start with a certificate or perhaps an Associate Degree program, and after gaining some experience in the trade in Waupaca WI, eventually 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

Waupaca WI student attending HVAC school onlineChoosing an HVAC program online is one possibility in attaining your education and earning a degree or certificate. Most schools will require some attendance on campus to take part in hands on training. Some also provide internship or work-study programs in addition to or instead of practical lab work. But since the rest of the classes may be attended online, this option may be a more accessible solution for some Waupaca WI students that are pressed for time. And many online degree programs are less costly than other on campus options. Even travelling expenses from Waupaca and study materials may be minimized, helping to make schooling more affordable. And numerous online schools are fully accredited (more on this later). So if your job or family responsibilities have left you with little time to attend classes, perhaps an online HVAC degree program will make it more convenient to accommodate school into your hectic lifestyle.

Questions to Ask HVAC Schools

Questions to ask Waupaca WI HVAC training schoolsOnce you have chosen the type of degree or certificate that you want to acquire, either online or on campus, you can begin to limit your list of schools. As you are probably aware, there are many HVAC vocational schools in the Waupaca WI area and across the United States to select from. That’s why it is imperative to have a checklist of important qualifications when making school assessments. As previously mentioned in our opening paragraph, tuition and location will undoubtedly be the first 2 aspects you will consider. Following are some additional ones that you should investigate before enrolling in your school of choice.

Accreditation.  Many HVAC vocational schools in the Waupaca WI area have acquired either a regional or a national accreditation. They can 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. Verify that the school is accredited by a U.S. Department of Education approved accrediting agency, which includes the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. In addition to helping ensure that you receive a quality education, it can help in securing financial aid or student loans, which are often unavailable for non-accredited programs. Also, a number of states require that the HVAC training course be accredited in order to be approved for licensing.

High Completion Rates.  Ask the Heating and Air Conditioning schools you are reviewing 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 might signify that students were dissatisfied with the course and quit. It might also suggest that the teachers were not qualified 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 list of alumni, which may result in more contacts for the school to use for their apprenticeship and job placement programs. A high job placement rate will not only affirm that the school has an excellent reputation within the field, but also that it has the network of Waupaca WI HVAC employers to assist grads acquire apprenticeships or jobs.

Apprenticeship Programs.  Numerous HVAC training programs are taught in conjunction with an internship or an apprenticeship program. Those participating trade and technical schools will help place you in an apprenticeship program within their network of Heating and Cooling companies or trade unions. Find out if the schools you are comparing have working relationships with local Waupaca WI HVAC professionals. An apprenticeship not only offers a valuable experience by furnishing practical training, but it also furnishes employment opportunities and helps to establish relationships in the local HVAC professional community.

Modern Facilities.  Make certain that the campus facilities and the equipment that you will be instructed on are state-of-the-art and what you will be working with in the field. If you are presently in an internship or an apprenticeship, consult with the HVAC technician you are working with concerning what you should be expecting. If not, ask a local Waupaca WI HVAC contractor if they can provide some tips. Also keep in mind that unless you can relocate, the school needs to be within driving distance of your Waupaca WI residence. Remember that if you decide to attend an out-of-state school, in addition to relocation costs there may be increased tuition fees compared to in-state residents.

Smaller Classes.   It’s desirable that you get as much one-on-one training as possible, which can be challenging in larger classes. Ask if you can sit in on a few of the classes so that you can see how big they are and witness first hand the interaction between teachers and students. Talk to a few of the students and get their comments relating to class sizes and instruction. Last, speak to a few of the instructors and find out what their level of expertise is and what certifications or degrees they hold.

Flexible Scheduling.  Verify that the class schedules for the programs you are reviewing are flexible enough to fulfill your needs. If you are only able to go to classes in the evening or on weekends near Waupaca WI, confirm that the programs you are considering offer those choices. If you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the school you select permits part-time enrollment. Finally, ask what the policy is to make-up classes should you miss any because of work, sickness or family issues.

Considering an HVAC School near Waupaca WI?

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

Waupaca, Wisconsin

Waupaca is a city in and the county seat of Waupaca County in the state of Wisconsin, United States. The population was 6,069 at the 2010 census. The city is believed to be named after Sam Waupaca (or Chief Wapuka) of the Potowatomi tribe.

The city is located mostly within the Town of Waupaca, and it is politically independent of the town. A portion extends west into the adjacent Town of Farmington, and there is also a noncontiguous area of the city in the Town of Lind to the south. The city is divided into natural areas, city areas, and industrial areas.

Before the 19th century, this area was occupied by the historic Menominee and Potowatomi tribes, both of whom spoke Algonquian languages. They had long traded with French colonists who traveled here from New France (Quebec).

HVAC Trade Schools Waupaca WI

Enrolling in the right HVAC training program is an important beginning toward a rewarding career in the heating and cooling trade. You originally came to this website because you wanted more information regarding HVAC Trade Schools. However, as we have addressed in this post, you need to pick an Heating and Cooling vocational school and a certificate or degree program that are both accredited and have excellent reputations within the HVAC field. Other features to look for are lots of hands-on training and state-of-the-art facilities. You should check out each of the schools in person that you are most interested in to inspect the campus and speak with both the faculty and current students. Attempt to get a feel for the quality of the instruction and the interaction between them. In addition, inquire about scheduling choices and if evening or weekend classes are offered if needed. And don’t forget to ask about financial aid and student loan options too. If you ask the appropriate questions as we have outlined in our guidelines for evaluating schools, you’ll be able to filter your choices so that you can make an educated decision. With the right training, hard work and commitment, you can ultimately become a licensed HVAC contractor in Waupaca WI.

More Hot and Cool Locations in Wisconsin

  • Air Conditioning Repair Classes Bayfield WI
  • Training for HVAC Oregon WI
  • Schools for HVAC Whitewater WI
  • HVAC Training Classes Elkhart Lake WI
  • How Long Is HVAC Training Ellsworth WI
  • How to Choose HVAC Degree Programs Salem WI
  • Heating Certificate Blue River WI
  • HVAC Course Outline Norwalk WI
  • Heating and Cooling Classes Online Madison WI
  • HVAC Tech Training Kaukauna WI
  •  

     

    The location could not be found.

     

    Business Results 1 - 10 of 13

    Your Home Comfort Solutions
    1 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    485 Main St, Wild Rose, WI 54984

    Westley Heating & Air Conditioning
    2 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    N4799 Highway 49, Waupaca, WI 54981

    Creative Comfort Heating & Cooling
    3 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    Black Creek, WI 54106

    Sunshine Heating & Air Conditioning
    2 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    N 2625 County Rd K, Waupaca, WI 54981

    Total Comfort Heating & Cooling
    1 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    2727 County Road K N, Custer, WI 54423

    Oshkosh Heating & Air
    1 Reviews
    Contractors, Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    920 S Main St, Oshkosh, WI 54902

    E.C. Merrill
    1 Reviews
    Plumbing, Water Heater Installation/Repair, Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    2908 Oakwood Ln, Oshkosh, WI 54904

    E C Merrill
    1 Reviews
    Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC, Water Heater Installation/Repair
    Phone:
    809 Wisconsin Ave, North Fond Du Lac, WI 54937

    Earth Sense Energy Systems
    3 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC, Nurseries & Gardening
    Phone:
    W9715 State Road 96, Dale, WI 54931

    Kurt Zentner & Sons Plumbing & Heating
    1 Reviews
    Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    2860 Oregon St, Oshkosh, WI 54902