Piedmont Technical College

College Resources

Career Tracks: Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning Technology

Government-mandated training makes HVAC a rapidly expanding market.

It is a field that has seen major changes over the past few years as a result of the national emphasis on fuel conservation. Students are given practical training in a well-equipped shop, and outside installation of service projects gives the students on-the-job experience.
 

Duties

Graduates in this field may be required to:

  • install, maintain and repair commercial and residential refrigeration, air conditioning and heating equipment

  • perform load calculations and estimate jobs
     

Working Conditions

Graduates in this field commonly experience:

  • environment varies greatly depending on the place of employment (indoors, outdoors, offices, plants)

  • may work alone or cooperatively with others

  • meet scheduling demands (Based on customer needs)

  • work under little direct supervision

  • overtime work sometimes required

  • travel may be involved
     

Physical Demands

  • overall activity depends on job - may be sedentary (primarily sitting) to very active (walking, lifting, etc.)

  • climbing/balancing

  • from light lifting (20 lbs.) to heavy (70+ lbs.)
     

Characteristics & Temperament

Graduates in this field should have:

  • good oral and written communication skills

  • ability to follow directions

  • ability to work with inanimate objects (set up and maintain equipment)

  • mechanical reasoning (understand mechanical principles and devices; understand how things work and how to fix them)

  • good motor coordination (hand/eye coordination, accurate and swift movements, finger/manual dexterity)

  • dependability

  • self-discipline
     

Employment Outlook

Graduates in this field can expect the following developments:

  • salary range: $35,000- 54,999 per year according to the US Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics website at: http://www.bls.gov/ooh for the most current Occupational Outlook statistics.

  • 94% placement rate for 2009-2011 graduates

  • excellent opportunities

  • possible entry jobs: mechanic, serviceman, helper, technician, contractor, maintenance mechanic, power/refrigeration technician, hvac technician, installer

  • opportunities for advancement with experience and further training

  • employment in cities and towns of all sizes
     

Employers

Recent graduates have found work at: