Air Conditioner Training Johnstown PA

How to Pick the Right HVAC Certification Class near Johnstown Pennsylvania

air conditioner condensers in Johnstown PAOnce you have come to a decision on a career as a heating and cooling specialist, the next action is to find an HVAC vocational school near Johnstown PA. But with so many to select from, how do you decide on the ideal one to receive the training that you need? Some prospective students will make their selection based entirely on the price of tuition or how near the school is to their residence. Although these are relevant considerations, they are not the only ones to investigate. Some of the other details 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. Those and other criteria will be addressed in more detail later within this article. But before we explore how to select an HVAC training program, let’s take a look at what a heating and a/c specialist does to become a licensed qualified tradesman.

Becoming an HVAC Professional

Johnstown PA HVAC Tech installing water heaterHVAC is an acronym that is extensively used in the industry that stands for “Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning”. HVAC professionals 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 mandated to be licensed, though each state and local municipality has its own requirements. Attaining professional certification is not compulsory, but an alternative means for Johnstown PA HVAC specialists to demonstrate that they are highly proficient and accomplished in their area of specialization. There are multiple respected certifications within the industry that are available. Below are a few of the important ones.

  • North American Technician Excellence (NATE). NATE is a nationally acknowledged certification for HVAC techs. The certification is achieved by passing a proficiency 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 in addition to passing a comprehensive examination are needed for the professional level certification. Master specialists must have three years of experience as well as a passing score on the professional level exam. As with NATE, certifications are provided in several specialties.
  • EPA Section 608. This certification is required for techs that handle refrigerants. There are three forms of certification obtainable, one for small appliances, and the other two for low and high pressure refrigerants.

Because licensing might be mandated in your location, and you may also desire to acquire certification, it’s essential that you select an HVAC technical school that will prepare you for both. And since you will probably be dealing with refrigerants, make sure that the program you pick preps you for passing the EPA Section 608 examinations.

HVAC Degree and Certificate Courses

radiator heater in Johnstown PA homeThere are a variety of alternatives available for HVAC instruction in a technical or vocational school. You can earn a certificate, an Associate Degree, or a Bachelor’s Degree. Earning a certificate will take the lesser period of time, typically completed in as little as 6 months, however some programs are longer. A certificate will qualify you for most HVAC positions, particularly if you are licensed and have certification applicable to the position. The degree programs may provide a competitive advantage for securing employment and will deliver more comprehensive training than the certificate programs. Following is a brief description of each option offered near Johnstown PA.

  • Certificate. Normally requiring a high school diploma, certificate programs are very popular among entry level residential or commercial HVAC professionals. They provide a strong foundation of skills for job opportunities within the industry.
  • Associate Degree. The Associate Degree in HVAC program delivers a more detailed understanding of heating & cooling systems than the certificate program. Usually taking 2 years to complete, a number of degrees include an internship or work-study program.
  • Bachelor’s Degree. The Bachelor’s Degree in HVAC is tailored more for a career in management or even business ownership. Some programs call for an Associate Degree, while others are a standard 4 year program. In addition to being taught how to service and maintain heating and air conditioning systems, you will also learn how to design them.

Picking the ideal credential program will be based on what your long term career goals are, along with the time and money that you have to commit. One possibility is to begin with a certificate or perhaps an Associate Degree program, and after gaining some experience in the trade in Johnstown PA, later returning to acquire a Bachelor’s Degree. If this is your strategy, make certain to ask the HVAC tech school you are looking at about how their returning student program works.

HVAC Courses Online

Johnstown PA student attending HVAC school onlineEnrolling in an HVAC program online is one alternative in obtaining your education and earning a degree or certificate. Almost all schools will call for some attendance on campus to take part in hands on 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 can be participated in via the internet, this option may be a more convenient solution for some Johnstown PA students that are short on time. And a number of online degree programs are less expensive than other on campus options. Even driving expenses from Johnstown and study supplies can be reduced, helping to make education more affordable. And many online schools are fully accredited (more on this later). So if your career or family commitments have left you with minimal time to attend classes, maybe an online HVAC degree program will make it more convenient to fit school into your busy lifestyle.

Questions to Ask HVAC Certification Classes

Questions to ask Johnstown PA HVAC training schoolsAfter you have picked the type of certificate or degree that you would like to earn, either online or on campus, you can begin to decrease your selection of schools. As you are probably aware, there are many HVAC trade schools in the Johnstown PA area and throughout the Country to choose from. That’s why it is essential to have a checklist of relevant qualifications when making school assessments. As previously stated in our opening paragraph, tuition and location will undoubtedly be the first two variables you will look at. Following are several additional ones that you need to investigate before enrolling in your school of choice.

Accreditation.  Numerous HVAC technical schools in the Johnstown PA area have attained either a regional or a national accreditation. They can attain Institutional Accreditation, which involves the school’s programs overall, or Programmatic Accreditation, which relates to an individual program, for example HVAC technology. Make sure that the school is accredited by a U.S. Department of Education approved accrediting agency, such as the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. In addition to helping make certain that you obtain a superior education, it can assist in obtaining financial aid or student loans, which are in many cases not available for non-accredited schools. Furthermore, some states mandate that the HVAC training program be accredited in order to qualify 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 low completion rate could signify that students were unhappy with the course and quit. It may also signify that the instructors were not competent to instruct the students. It’s similarly essential that the schools have higher job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a broader list of graduates, which can produce more contacts for the school to employ 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 trade, but additionally that it has the network of Johnstown PA HVAC employers to assist graduates obtain apprenticeships or employment.

Apprenticeship Programs.  Many HVAC technical programs are taught together with an internship or an apprenticeship program. Those participating vocational and technical programs will help place you in an apprenticeship program inside their network of Heating and Cooling businesses or trade unions. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have referring relationships with local Johnstown PA HVAC companies. An apprenticeship not only provides a valuable experience by supplying practical training, but it also supplies employment opportunities and helps to establish relationships in the local HVAC professional community.

Modern Facilities.  Make sure that the school facilities and the equipment that you will be instructed on are state-of-the-art and what you will be working with on the job. If you are already in an internship or an apprenticeship, talk to the HVAC specialist you are working under concerning what you should be looking for. Otherwise, ask a local Johnstown PA HVAC contractor if they can provide some pointers. Additionally bear in mind that unless you are able to relocate, the school must be within commuting distance of your Johnstown PA residence. Take note that if you decide to enroll in an out-of-state school, in addition to relocation costs there may be increased tuition charges compared to in-state residents.

Smaller Classes.   It’s desirable that you receive as much individualized instruction as possible, which can be difficult in bigger classes. Ask if you can monitor a couple of the classes so that you can see how big they are and experience the interaction between teachers and students. Speak to a few of the students and get their opinions relating to class sizes and instruction. Finally, speak to a few of the instructors and learn what their level of experience is and what certifications or degrees they hold.

Flexible Scheduling.  Confirm 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 at night or on weekends near Johnstown PA, verify that the programs you are comparing offer those choices. If you can only attend part-time, be sure that the school you select offers part-time enrollment. Finally, ask what the protocol is to make-up classes should you miss any because of work, sickness or family issues.

Considering an HVAC School near Johnstown PA?

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

Johnstown, Pennsylvania

Johnstown is a city in Cambria County, Pennsylvania, United States,[5] 43 miles (69 km) west-southwest of Altoona and 67 miles (108 km) east of Pittsburgh. The population was 20,978 at the 2010 census[6] and estimated to be 20,402 in 2013.[7] It is the principal city of the Johnstown, Pennsylvania, Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes Cambria County.[8]

Johnstown, settled in 1770, has experienced three major floods in its history. The "Great Flood" of May 31, 1889, occurred after the South Fork Dam collapsed 14.1 miles (22.7 km) upstream from the city during heavy rains. At least 2,209 people died as a result of the flood and subsequent fire that raged through the debris. Another major flood occurred in 1936. Despite a pledge by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt to make the city flood free, and subsequent work to do so, another major flood occurred in 1977. The 1977 flood—in what was to have been a "flood free" city—may have contributed to Johnstown's subsequent population decline and inability to attract new residents and businesses. It wasn't until the late 2010s where Johnstown began to catch the attention of more people from other cities once again. Adding more business and residents to the area.

The city is home to five national historic districts: the Downtown Johnstown Historic District, Cambria City Historic District, Minersville Historic District, Moxham Historic District, and Old Conemaugh Borough Historic District. Individual listings on the National Register of Historic Places are the Grand Army of the Republic Hall, Cambria Iron Company, Cambria Public Library Building, Bridge in Johnstown City, Nathan's Department Store, and Johnstown Inclined Railway.[9]

Air Conditioner Training Johnstown PA

Finding the right HVAC training program is an important beginning toward a rewarding career in the heating & cooling trade. You originally came to this website because you wanted more information regarding Air Conditioner Training. However, as we have covered in this article, you need to select an HVAC training program and a degree or certificate program that are both accredited and have excellent reputations within the HVAC profession. Other factors to search for are sufficient hands-on training and modern facilities. You need to visit each of the schools in person that you are most interested in to explore the campus and talk with both the faculty and current students. Attempt to get a feel for the quality of the training and the interaction between them. Additionally, inquire about scheduling choices and whether or not evening or weekend classes are available if needed. And remember to inquire about financial assistance and student loan options too. If you ask the appropriate 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 right training, hard work and commitment, you can eventually become a licensed HVAC professional in Johnstown PA.

More Hot and Cool Locations in Pennsylvania

  • How Long Is HVAC Training Greensboro PA
  • HVAC School Cost Grantville PA
  • HVAC Technical Training Broad Top PA
  • Online Heating and Air Conditioning Schools Malvern PA
  • Air Conditioning College Courses Montoursville PA
  • HVAC Course Norwood PA
  • HVAC Technical School Irwin PA
  • Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Course Waymart PA
  • Learn HVAC Online Canadensis PA
  • HVAC Programs Youngwood PA
  •  

     

    The location could not be found.

     

    Business Results 1 - 10 of 19

    S Meyers Plumbing & Heating
    1 Reviews
    Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC, Water Heater Installation/Repair
    Phone:
    391 Ohio St, Johnstown, PA 15902

    Yeager's Heating Service
    3 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    1976 Forest Hills Dr, Windber, PA 15963

    Emilico HVAC & Plumbing
    1 Reviews
    Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC, Contractors
    Phone:
    330 Engbert Rd, Johnstown, PA 15904

    JA Rodda Plumbing, Heating & Electrical
    1 Reviews
    Plumbing, Electricians, Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    Johnstown, PA 15902

    Mack M Darr
    2 Reviews
    Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    320 W Main St, Ligonier, PA 15658

    C-N-J Auto & Air Conditioning
    1 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    124 Kane Rd, Carrolltown, PA 15722

    Shirley Heating & Air Conditioning
    2 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC, Water Heater Installation/Repair, Appliances
    Phone:
    48 Shirley Dr, Saltsburg, PA 15681

    Beaufort Services
    2 Reviews
    Plumbing, Electricians, Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    3731 Rt 711, Ligonier, PA 15658

    Heating World
    1 Reviews
    Fireplace Services, Water Heater Installation/Repair, Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    6590 Admiral Peary Hwy, Loretto, PA 15940

    E & D Company
    1 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    732 Lloyd Ave, Latrobe, PA 15650