Career Tracks: Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning Technology
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 average: $45,910.00 per year according to the US Department of Labor. You may view the most current Occupational Outlook statistics at: http://www.bls.gov/ooh/installation-maintenance-and-repair/heating-air-conditioning-and-refrigeration-mechanics-and-installers.htm.
- 96% placement rate for 2014 - 2016 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 and supporters
Recent graduates have found work at:
- 2nd Wind Heating & Air Conditioning
- A1 Heating & Air
- Abbeville Housing Authority
- Ace Hardware
- Ace Heating & Cooling
- Actaris
- Anderson HVAC
- Ascend Performance Materials
- Bailey Heating & Controls
- B&L Services
- Benchmark Heating & Cooling
- Boyd Management
- Bragg Heating Company
- Burns Service Center Inc.
- Butler Heating & Cooling
- Capsugel
- Carolina Heating and Air
- Cassell Services
- CC Dixon Co.
- Chavis Heating & Air
- Climate Control Systems of Greenwood, Inc.
- CPW
- Cregger Company of Greenwood
- Cullum Electric
- D. H. Griffin Companies
- Fuji Photo Film
- Fulmer Heating and Cooling
- Greenwood Housing Authority
- Greenwood Packing Plant
- Greenwood School District 50
- Hill's Service Company
- Honeywell
- KRAFT Foods - Louis Rich Company
- J & B Professional Services
- JF Hawkins Nursing Home
- JES Restaurant Equipment
- John De La Howe School
- JR Retails
- Lander University
- Laurens School District 55
- Louis Rich
- Mathis Plumbing Heating & Air
- Mays Contracting
- McCutcheon Heating and Air Conditioning, Inc.
- McGee Heating & Air Conditioning
- Midlands Heating and Cooling
- National Park Service
- Newberry College
- Newberry County
- One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning
- Phillips Appliance
- Pilgrim's Pride
- Pioneer Frozen Foods
- Prosperity Heating & Refrigeration
- Scott's Heating & Cooling
- Sears
- Sligh Heating & Cooling
- South Main Street Baptist Church
- Southern Air
- Taylor Freezer
- Town and Country
- Velux
- Wal-Mart
- Wilson Refrigeration