Schools for Heating and Air Conditioning Millen GA

How to Select the Right Heating and Cooling Training Program near Millen Georgia

air conditioner condensers in Millen GAOnce you have decided on a career as a heating and air conditioner technician, the next action is to look for an HVAC trade school near Millen GA. But with so many to pick from, how do you decide on the best one to get the training that you need? A number of future students will make their selection based exclusively on the price of tuition or how close the school is to their home. Although these are significant considerations, they are not the only ones to investigate. Some of the other factors 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. These and other benchmarks will be covered in more detail later within this article. But before we explore how to pick an HVAC technical school, let’s take a look at what a heating and cooling specialist does to become a licensed qualified tradesman.

Becoming an HVAC Tech

Millen GA HVAC Tech installing water heaterHVAC is an acronym that is extensively used in the trade that stands for “Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning”. HVAC contractors specialize in the installation, maintenance and repair of central air conditioners, furnaces, boilers, hot water heaters and heating systems. As skilled tradesmen, they are commonly required to be licensed, however each state and regional municipality has its own prerequisites. Attaining professional certification is not compulsory, but an alternative means for Millen GA HVAC techs to establish that they are exceptionally qualified and accomplished in their area of expertise. There are a number of acknowledged certifications within the trade that are offered. Following are some 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 examination and can be acquired 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 required for the professional level certification. Master specialists need to have three years of experience in addition to a passing result on the professional level examination. Similar to NATE, certifications are provided in multiple specialties.
  • EPA Section 608. This certification is mandatory for technicians that handle refrigerants. There are 3 types of certification offered, one for small appliances, and the other two for low and high pressure refrigerants.

Because licensing may be required in your location, and you may also intend to obtain certification, it’s important 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 decide on preps you for passing the EPA Section 608 examinations.

HVAC Certificate and Degree Classes

radiator heater in Millen GA homeThere are several choices available for HVAC training in a technical or trade school. You can attain a certificate, an Associate Degree, or a Bachelor’s Degree. Earning a certificate will take the minimum period of time, usually achieved in just 6 months, however some courses are longer. A certificate will train you for most HVAC positions, especially if you are licensed and have certification appropriate to the position. The degree programs might provide a competitive advantage in the job market and will furnish more comprehensive training than the certificate programs. Below is a brief explanation of each credential offered near Millen GA.

  • Certificate. Usually requiring a high school diploma, certificate programs are preferred among entry level residential or commercial HVAC technicians. They provide a strong foundation of skills for employment within the industry.
  • Associate Degree. The Associate Degree in HVAC program provides a more extensive knowledge of heating & cooling systems than the certificate program. Normally requiring two years to finish, many degrees include an internship or work-study program.
  • Bachelor’s Degree. The Bachelor’s Degree in HVAC is suited more towards a career in management or even 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 dependent on what your long term career goals are, together 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 field in Millen GA, eventually going back to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree. If this is your tactic, make certain to ask the HVAC technician school you are considering about how their returning student program works.

HVAC Training Online

Millen GA student attending HVAC school onlineEnrolling in an HVAC school online is one alternative in getting your education and receiving a certificate or degree. Almost all schools will call for some attendance on campus to complete practical 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 via the internet, this option may be a more accessible solution for many Millen GA students that are short on time. And some online degree programs are more economical than other traditional alternatives. Even commuting expenses from Millen and study supplies can be minimized, helping to make education more affordable. And a large number of online programs are fully accredited (more on this later). So if your work or family commitments have left you with little time to attend classes, maybe an online HVAC degree program will make it less complicated to accommodate school into your busy schedule.

What to Ask HVAC Certification Classes

Questions to ask Millen GA HVAC training schoolsAfter you have selected the type of degree or certificate that you would like to acquire, either on campus or online, you can begin to limit your selection of schools. As you are certainly aware, there are many HVAC trade schools in the Millen GA area and all over the USA to select from. That’s why it is extremely important to have a checklist of relevant qualifiers when making school comparisons. As formerly mentioned in our opening paragraph, tuition and location will most likely be the initial two aspects you will consider. Following are some additional ones that you will want to investigate before enrolling in your school of choice.

Accreditation.  Many HVAC vocational programs in the Millen GA area have acquired either a regional or a national accreditation. They can earn Institutional Accreditation, which involves the school’s programs overall, or Programmatic Accreditation, which relates to a specific program, for instance HVAC technology. Make certain that the program is accredited by a U.S. Department of Education approved accrediting agency, for example the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. Along with helping make certain that you receive a quality education, it may assist in acquiring financial aid or student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited schools. Additionally, some states mandate that the HVAC training program be accredited in order to be approved for licensing.

High Completion Rates.  Ask the HVAC schools you are looking at what their completion rates are. The completion rate is the percentage or portion of students who enroll in and finish the program. A lower completion rate might signify that students were unhappy with the program and dropped out. It might also mean that the instructors were not qualified to instruct the students. It’s also essential that the schools have higher job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a broader list of graduates, which may mean more contacts for the school to employ 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 field, but also that it has the network of Millen GA HVAC employers to help students secure apprenticeships or jobs.

Apprenticeship Programs.  Most HVAC technical programs are taught in conjunction with an apprenticeship or an internship program. Those participating vocational and trade schools will help place you in an apprenticeship program within their network of Heating and Cooling companies or labor unions. Check if the schools you are considering have working partnerships with local Millen GA HVAC contractors. An apprenticeship not only provides a valuable experience by providing hands-on training, but it also supplies job opportunities and helps to establish relationships in the local HVAC professional community.

Modern Facilities.  Make sure that the campus facilities and the equipment that you will be trained 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 technician you are working with concerning what you should be expecting. If not, ask a local Millen GA HVAC company if they can provide some suggestions. Additionally bear in mind that unless you are willing to move, the school must be within commuting distance of your Millen GA residence. Take note that if you decide to attend an out-of-state school, besides the added relocation costs there may be higher tuition fees compared to in-state residents.

Smaller Classes.   It’s desirable 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 see how big they are and witness first hand the interaction between teachers and students. Speak with a few of the students and get their opinions regarding class sizes and instruction. Finally, speak with a few of the teachers 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 schools you are evaluating are flexible enough to meet your needs. If you can only go to classes in the evening or on weekends near Millen GA, verify that the schools you are reviewing provide those choices. If you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the school you select offers part-time enrollment. Also, find out what the protocol is to make-up classes should you miss any due to work, illness or family responsibilities.

Considering an HVAC School near Millen GA?

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

Millen, Georgia

Millen is a city in, and the county seat of, rural Jenkins County, Georgia, United States. The population was 3,120 at the 2010 census,[5] down from 3,492 at the 2000 census and 3,988 at the 1980 census.

Millen was first settled in 1835 along the border of what was then Burke and Screven counties. It was originally named "79" due to its approximate distance in miles from the coastal city of Savannah.[1] Planters cultivated cotton as a commodity crop with the use of enslaved Africans.

In 1854, the Central of Georgia Railway and the Georgia Railroad connected at 79. The town became known as "Millen's Junction" after McPherson B. Millen, the superintendent of the Central of Georgia Railway.[1]

Schools for Heating and Air Conditioning Millen GA

Selecting the ideal HVAC training program is a critical first step toward a gratifying career in the heating and air conditioning trade. You originally came to this website because you wanted more information regarding Schools for Heating and Air Conditioning. However, as we have covered in this post, you should pick an HVAC school and a degree or certificate program that are both accredited and have outstanding reputations within the HVAC profession. Other features to look for are lots of hands-on training and modern facilities. You should go to each of the schools personally that you are most interested in to tour the campus and speak with both the current students and faculty. Attempt to get a feel for the quality of the training and the interaction between them. Additionally, inquire about scheduling choices and if evening or weekend classes are available if needed. And don’t forget to inquire about financial aid and student loan options as well. If you ask the right questions as we have laid out in our guidelines for assessing schools, you’ll be able to narrow down your options so that you can make an educated decision. With the proper training, hard work and dedication, you can ultimately become a licensed HVAC technician in Millen GA.

More Hot and Cool Locations in Georgia

  • HVAC College Courses Monticello GA
  • HVAC Vocational Training Nelson GA
  • Schooling For HVAC Lilburn GA
  • Air Conditioning and Heating School Menlo GA
  • Heating and Air Conditioning Degree Pine Lake GA
  • HVAC Night Classes Nicholls GA
  • HVAC Certification Online Courses Redan GA
  • Training for HVAC Technician Sparta GA
  • Best Online HVAC School Ocilla GA
  • Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Schools Grantville GA
  •  

     

    The location could not be found.

     

    Business Results 1 - 10 of 9

    Peach State Air Conditioning and Refrigeration
    1 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC, Appliances & Repair
    Phone:
    1500 Red Fern Ln, Statesboro, GA 30461

    H & O Heating & Air Division of Hagan & Oliver
    1 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    116 Ridge Rd, Sylvania, GA 30467

    JD Heating & Air
    1 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    1882 Cliponreka Rd, Statesboro, GA 30461

    Kennedy's Heating & Air
    2 Reviews
    Metal Fabricators, Appliances, Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    21249 US Highway 80 W, Statesboro, GA 30458

    Ogeechee Heating & Air
    1 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    1058 Turnpike Rd, Claxton, GA 30417

    Deals Heating and Air
    1 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    108 Pamela Way, Statesboro, GA 30461

    Summit Green Solutions
    4 Reviews
    Solar Installation, Roofing, Insulation Installation
    Phone:
    3070 Damascus Rd, Ste A, Augusta, GA 30909

    Southern Geothermal
    1 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    Thomson, GA 30824

    Gerrald's Heating and Air
    1 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    100 Edsel Dr, Richmond Hill, GA 31324