HVAC Training Online Ravenna NE

How to Enroll In the Right HVAC Certificate Program near Ravenna Nebraska

air conditioner condensers in Ravenna NENow that you have come to a decision on a career as a heating and air conditioning professional, the next action is to look for an HVAC technical school near Ravenna NE. But with so many to pick from, how do you choose the best one to get the training that you need? Some potential students will make their choice based solely on the price of tuition or how close the school is to their residence. While these are important factors to consider, they are not the only ones to investigate. Just some of the other details that you need to look into are the graduation completion rates of the HVAC schools, their reputations, and if they are accredited by professional trade organizations. Those and additional criteria will be covered in more detail later within this article. But before we tackle how to select an HVAC trade school, let’s take a look at what a heating and a/c contractor does to become a licensed qualified tradesman.

Becoming an HVAC Pro

Ravenna NE HVAC Tech installing water heaterHVAC is an acronym that is widely used in the trade that stands for “Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning”. HVAC professionals provide services for the installation, repair and maintenance of air conditioners, furnaces, boilers, water heaters and heating systems. As professional tradesmen, they are generally required to be licensed, though each state and regional municipality has its own criteria. Attaining professional certification is not mandatory, but an optional way for Ravenna NE HVAC specialists to prove that they are exceptionally skilled and experienced in their area of expertise. There are a number of recognized certifications within the field that are offered. Below 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 offers both a professional and a master specialist credential. 2 years of professional experience as well as passing a comprehensive examination are required for the professional level certification. Master specialists must have three years of experience together with a passing score on the professional level examination. As with NATE, certifications are offered in several specialties.
  • EPA Section 608. This certification is required for specialists that work with refrigerants. There are three forms of certification obtainable, one for small appliances, and the other two for low and high pressure refrigerants.

Considering that licensing could be mandated in your location, and you may also desire to earn certification, it’s essential that you enroll in an HVAC trade school that will prepare you for both. And since you will more than likely be working with refrigerants, make certain that the school you pick readies you for passing the EPA Section 608 examinations.

HVAC Degree and Certificate Training Programs

radiator heater in Ravenna NE homeThere are a number of alternatives available for HVAC training in a vocational or trade school. You can earn a certificate, an Associate Degree, or a Bachelor’s Degree. Obtaining a certificate will take the least amount of time, usually accomplished in as little as 6 months, although some programs are longer. A certificate will train you for the majority of HVAC positions, particularly if you are licensed and have certification relevant to the position. The degree training programs might provide a competitive edge for securing employment and will deliver more comprehensive training than the certificate programs. Below is a short summary of each option offered near Ravenna NE.

  • Certificate. Normally requiring a high school diploma, certificate programs are preferred among beginning residential or commercial HVAC specialists. They furnish a solid foundation of skills for job opportunities within the industry.
  • Associate Degree. The Associate Degree in HVAC program supplies a more exhaustive background of heating and cooling systems than the certificate program. Normally requiring 2 years to complete, many degrees incorporate 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 standard 4 year program. In addition to mastering how to service and maintain heating and cooling systems, you will also learn how to design them.

Picking the appropriate credential program will be dependent on what your future career aspirations are, in addition to the time and financial resources that you have to invest. One approach is to start with a certificate or even an Associate Degree program, and after getting some experience in the trade in Ravenna NE, subsequently returning to earn a Bachelor’s Degree. If this is your strategy, be sure to ask the HVAC tech school you are looking at about how their returning student program works.

HVAC Online Training

Ravenna NE student attending HVAC school onlineEnrolling in an HVAC school online is one alternative to attaining your training and earning a degree or certificate. Most schools will call for some attendance on campus to complete practical training. A number 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 via the internet, this alternative may be a more convenient solution for some Ravenna NE students that are pressed for time. And many online degree programs are more economical than other traditional choices. Even commuting expenses from Ravenna and study materials can be reduced, helping to make schooling more affordable. And many online schools are fully accredited (more on this later). So if your job or family obligations have left you with limited time to attend classes, perhaps an online HVAC degree program will make it easier to accommodate school into your busy schedule.

Questions For HVAC Training Classes

Questions to ask Ravenna NE HVAC training schoolsAs soon as you have chosen the type of certificate or degree that you wish to attain, either online or on campus, you can begin to decrease your list of schools. As you are no doubt aware, there are many HVAC trade schools in the Ravenna NE area and across the USA to choose from. That’s why it is extremely important to have a list of important qualifiers when making school assessments. As formerly mentioned in our opening paragraph, tuition and location will undoubtedly be the first two factors you will look at. Following are several additional ones that you will want to research before enrolling in your school of choice.

Accreditation.  A large number of HVAC vocational programs in the Ravenna NE area have received either a regional or a national accreditation. They may earn Institutional Accreditation, which focuses on the school’s programs overall, or Programmatic Accreditation, which relates to a specific program, such as HVAC technology. Make sure that the program is accredited by a U.S. Department of Education approved accrediting organization, which includes the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. In addition to helping make certain that you get an excellent education, it may help in obtaining financial assistance or student loans, which are often unavailable for non-accredited schools. Also, many 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 considering what their completion rates are. The completion rate is the portion or percentage of students who enroll in and finish the course. A lower completion rate may indicate that students were disappointed with the program and dropped out. It might also indicate that the teachers were not competent to instruct the students. It’s also essential that the schools have high job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a more extensive list of alumni, which may produce 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 trade, but also that it has the network of Ravenna NE HVAC employers to assist grads obtain apprenticeships or employment.

Apprenticeship Programs.  A large number of HVAC vocational programs are taught along with an internship or an apprenticeship program. Those participating trade and vocational programs will help place you in an apprenticeship program within their network of HVAC contractors or labor unions. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have referring relationships with local Ravenna NE HVAC specialists. An apprenticeship not only provides a valuable experience by providing practical training, but it also furnishes employment opportunities and helps to establish relationships in the regional HVAC professional community.

Modern Facilities.  Confirm that the campus facilities and the equipment that you will be instructed on are up-to-date and what you will be working with on the job. If you are currently in an internship or an apprenticeship, talk to the HVAC tech you are working under concerning what you should be expecting. Otherwise, ask a local Ravenna NE HVAC contracting company if they can give you some tips. Also keep in mind that unless you are able to move, the school needs to be within driving distance of your Ravenna NE residence. Remember that if you decide to enroll in an out-of-state school, besides the added moving costs there may be increased tuition fees compared to in-state residents.

Smaller Classes.   It’s important that you receive as much individualized training 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 experience the interaction between instructors and students. Speak to a few of the students and get their opinions relating to class sizes and instruction. Finally, speak to some of the instructors and find out what their level of experience is and what certifications or degrees they hold.

Flexible Scheduling.  Confirm that the class schedules for the schools you are reviewing are flexible enough to handle your needs. If you can only go to classes in the evening or on weekends near Ravenna NE, confirm that the schools you are reviewing offer those choices. If you can only attend on a part-time basis, be sure that the school you select permits part-time enrollment. Also, find out what the policy is to make-up classes should you miss any because of work, sickness or family responsibilities.

Considering an HVAC School near Ravenna NE?

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

Ravenna, Nebraska

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.67 square miles (4.33 km2), of which, 1.66 square miles (4.30 km2) is land and 0.01 square miles (0.03 km2) is water.[10]

As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 1,360 people, 575 households, and 338 families residing in the city. The population density was 819.3 inhabitants per square mile (316.3/km2). There were 660 housing units at an average density of 397.6 per square mile (153.5/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 98.2% White, 0.2% Native American, 0.4% Asian, and 1.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.0% of the population.

There were 575 households of which 29.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.0% were married couples living together, 8.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 2.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 41.2% were non-families. 35.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 3.05.

HVAC Training Online Ravenna NE

Selecting the ideal HVAC training course is a critical first step toward a rewarding career in the heating and cooling field. You originally came to this website because you wanted more information regarding HVAC Training Online. However, as we have discussed in this article, you need to choose an HVAC school and a degree or certificate program that are both accredited and have excellent reputations within the HVAC community. Other things to look for are ample 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. Try to get a feel for the quality of the training and the interaction between them. Also, inquire about scheduling choices and whether night or weekend classes are available if needed. And remember to ask about financial aid and student loan options also. If you ask the right questions as we have laid out in our guidelines for comparing 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 ultimately become a licensed HVAC technician in Ravenna NE.

More Hot and Cool Locations in Nebraska

  • HVAC Class Online Falls City NE
  • HVAC Technical Schools Chadron NE
  • HVAC College Degree Humboldt NE
  • Online Classes for HVAC Hay Springs NE
  • Online Air Conditioning Courses Omaha NE
  • School for Heating and Air Conditioning Doniphan NE
  • Best HVAC School Gretna NE
  • Training HVAC Technician Nelson NE
  • School for Air Conditioning Oxford NE
  • Air Conditioner Training Alma NE
  •  

     

    The location could not be found.

     

    Business Results 1 - 10 of 5

    Reinke's Heating Air Conditioning & Electrical
    1 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    4120 Airport Rd, Kearney, NE 68847

    DJ's Heating Air Conditioning & Electrical
    1 Reviews
    Electricians, Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    Grand Island, NE 68803

    Anderson Bros Electric Plumbing & Heating
    1 Reviews
    Electricians, Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    2600 Highway 30 E, Kearney, NE 68847

    Mid Plains Heating & Air
    1 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    1209 Avenue A, Kearney, NE 68847

    Double D Plumbing & Heating
    2 Reviews
    Plumbing
    Phone:
    605 Cottonwood St, Wood River, NE 68883