Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning, better known as HVAC, is becoming increasingly popular as a career choice. To start working as an HVAC technician, students need to earn a degree. This degree can be obtained by completing an educational program at a trade school or community college. This program educates them to install, repair, diagnose, and maintain both heating and cooling units installed in a residential or commercial setup.
It is a great career path as HVAC technicians are constantly in demand. They are self-employed freelancers or work for repair service or a big establishment. Whatever the designation, this field requires a lot of skill and pays well for it.
Tampa is one of the most scenic and fast-developing cities in Florida. Located in the beautiful Tampa Bay area, it is considered one of the best places to reside in Florida. In this article, we have rounded up the best HVAC schools in Tampa. These schools offer extensive programs to train their students in the fine workings of an HVAC system.
Since this job is somewhat risky because of working in close proximity to electronic appliances and potentially toxic chemicals, the schools have strict guidelines in place for their students. If you are a Tampa resident who is interested in making a career for himself in this field, then you will find this article very useful. It covers all the facts and figures of the best HVAC schools in Tampa so you can easily decide which one to enroll in.
Requirements to Be an HVAC Technician in Tampa
Tampa lies within the judiciary of Florida, so they follow the guidelines set out by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, a division of Florida’s Construction Industry Licensing Board. These include:
- Earning a high school diploma or an equivalent certificate.
- Completing an HVAC educational program from a school certified in HVAC training.
- Obtaining your license by meeting the set requirements of a particular HVAC license. The state of Florida grants different HVAC license options. They are as follows:
- State Certified Class A Florida HVAC License
- State Registered Class A Florida HVAC License
- State Certified Class B HVAC License
- State Registered Class B HVAC License
To qualify for any of these licenses, you are required to meet certain criteria. You also need to pass an exam. All these licenses have different exams, certification, and renewal fees. It is mandatory to be 18 years of age to apply for any of these licenses.
Getting additional certifications like North American Technician Excellence (NATE) certification. Though these are optional, they are preferred by clients. To achieve this certification, you have to demonstrate your skill in specific areas of HVAC.
Tampa, being a city of the state of Florida, also follows the requirements stated above for a person to be a working HVAC technician in this city.
Salary and Job Outlook in Tampa
Tampa is a city that is a bustling business center and a big developmental hub. It has a lot of potential for a budding HVAC technician to build his or her career. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, an average HVAC technician earns a handsome income of $43,640 yearly. This makes up around $20 per hour.
Some more experienced techs have the highest pay of around $68000 per year. So the more experienced you are, the better your pay will be. The salary of an HVAC technician ranged from $33, 440 to $58,960 in the year 2016. Hence, this is a field that pays a lot more than any other sector that requires more extensive study and effort.
The students who graduate with a degree in HVAC have quite a positive job outlook in Tampa. It is estimated that the job openings in this field will grow by about 34 percent this year only. This is huge when compared to the growth of any other sector.
Right now, there are about 1000 open positions for HVAC technicians in only Florida. At least 90,300 more jobs are expected to be created throughout the US. HVAC is surely a good field that offers better chances of growth and more flexibility, especially when you are self-employed.
List of the Top HVAC Schools in Tampa
Tampa is the city on Tampa Bay along the west coast of Florida. It lies within Hillsborough County and is considered as one of the best places to live in. The name Tampa surely conjures images of tropical climate and beautiful beaches. The truth is, it is actually made habitable due to the booming HVAC industry in the area.
Maintaining the comfortably cool internal environment is a full-time job of an HVAC technician. Because of the high number of HVAC installations throughout the city, there is always a huge demand for HVAC personnel. The demand and supply cycle is sustained by a number of great educational institutions that train students to become professionals in HVAC maintenance. Amongst the long list of schools, there are some that offer better programs and instruction for their students
Erwin Technical College
Our Review of the Program
Erwin Technical College was founded in 1925. It is also known as D. G. Erwin Technical Center. It belongs to the Hillsborough County Public School system. It is a great place to build a solid foundation for your career. It offers both short and full-time learning programs. You can choose a short learning program, or you can opt for a more flexible full-time program.
This school campus has a modern look. It has all the facilities to make your studies fun and easy. The faculty here strives very hard to help all the students establish a successful career path for themselves.
There are two full-time HVAC programs offered by this institute. One is held in the day time, and the other in the evening for the students’ ease. Both programs are directed to give the students the basics of repair and installation of HVAC products. They utilize both in-class instruction and practical lab work. The programs maintain a strong emphasis on troubleshooting and repair.
Altierus Career College
Our Review of the Program
Altierus Career College is a private educational organization situated in Tampa. It is a reputable institute known for its large and modern learning facility in the area. It provides everything a student can ask for. It ensures a comfortable and pleasant learning environment.
This educational institute also grants scholarships and financial support for deserving students. It has the best teachers in the state who are willing to help you on this career path with the highest standards.
The school offers two HVAC study programs. Both are quite similar in terms of curriculum. The only difference is the inclusion of refrigeration in one of the diplomas. No matter what program you choose, you can cover the leftover topics of the other program by taking an additional 3 months of coursework. The courses impart all the theoretical and practical skills to start a new career in the HVAC industry.
Florida Career College
Our Review of the Program
Florida Career College is a private yet for-profit school in Tampa. It is a small institute with a limited number of enrollments. It is the personification of fun, modern, and professionalism. It is one of the best colleges in the state.
It is known for a friendly faculty and numerous student facilities. The campus is huge and modern. It enrolls students from all over the country. The school also grants financial aid to students who need it to give them a better shot at their careers.
The HVAC Diploma program here prepares you for two professional HVAC certifications. The course focuses on learning the sales, installation, maintenance, and repair of HVAC systems. It includes hands-on practical experience with qualified instructors. After completing this diploma, you are ready for any entry-level field service position.
Manatee Technical College
Our Review of the Program
Manatee Technical College is a small public college located in Tampa. The name defines providing equal opportunities to all students to build the foundation of their careers. The campus is big and is equipped with all the facilities of the highest educational standards.
The teachers here are qualified and dedicated in their task to provide quality education to the students to help them lay a solid foundation for a successful career. The environment here is also very calm, which makes it perfect for learning.
This school offers a full-time HVAC program for two shifts, the day shift, and the evening shift. Both shifts have different lengths, yet they focus on the same curriculum.
The course includes designing, testing, and repairing HVAC systems. It focuses on developing both technical and theoretical skills. The teachers will prepare you to handle any potential project or situation that you may come across over the course of your career. The program prepares for employment in the HVAC field. From here, you can continue towards more advanced training.
Southern Technical College
Our Review of the Program
Southern Technical College is one of the best schools to start your career. It has a modern and flexible yet quite professional system that offers the best choices for the students. The course programs have a short duration but are quite condensed to cover a lot of topics in a short time.
The campus is big, with a very friendly environment. The facilities here are also great that are bound to make your stay here comfortable. They have the best lab facilities to help you get a first-hand experience about what you will be working with.
The HVAC Diploma Program is a 10-month course that prepares you for entry-level employment in the field. It provides both theoretical knowledge and hands-on practical experience to prepare you for what you will be doing after graduating. This includes learning to install and repair residential and light commercial heating and air conditioning systems.
After completing the diploma program, you will get all the required certifications and accreditations to start your career as an HVAC technician.
Conclusion
Tampa is a city of the Sunshine State, Florida. It has the perfect climatic conditions to support HVAC for a long time. It is the perfect place to consider a career in the HVAC industry. With the majority of the population dependent on HVAC appliances, there is no shortage of opportunities for you.
The industry is booming with the demand of HVAC technicians increasing with each passing day. Tampa houses some of the best schools that offer comprehensive programs in the HVAC department. We have mentioned the best HVAC schools above. If you are seriously considering a career in this field, then feel free to join any of the programs described above.