HVAC technicians are very much in demand these days, with most of them earning more than $20 per hour. Employees also get amazing health benefits annually that make the job really compelling for them. But before you enter the highly diversified HVAC workforce, you need to know a couple of things. If you haven’t already, you might have to enroll in an HVAC course. Well lucky for you, a lot of schools in Atlanta offer HVAC training programs.
The article will highlight all those top schools in Atlanta that offer the best programs in HVAC training. After you are finished with any one of these, you will be able to take an entry-level exam that will make you a licensed practitioner.
Requirements to Be an HVAC Technician in Atlanta
Atlanta is the capital of Georgia and is one of the most popular places when it comes to the HVAC market. There are so many diverse options that you could choose from, but you need to take care of certain requirements first. While you may not be required to study an HVAC program, you will still have to get a conditioned air contractor license to work on any piece of electrical equipment. Like with other states, in Georgia, too, it is important to have a high school diploma to work as an HVAC contractor.
But in addition to that, you might also have to get an EPA or a Nate certificate or even both. The more certificates you get, the better will be your chances of securing a good job. The air conditioner contractor license is what you need for contracting, installation, bidding, or service of an air conditioner. Even servicing of electrical connections requires licensing. There are 2 major types of certificates that you might need.
NATE is the North American technician excellence, and statistics show that more than 87% of clients prefer certified technicians that possess the NATE certificate. This test demonstrates your superior knowledge in certain areas of HVAC.
On the other hand, an APA certificate requires professionals to learn about the different areas of the environment and ways to keep it secure. Although these aren’t as important as the basic certificate, you will still find it beneficial to have it as part of the resume.
Salary and Job Outlook in Atlanta
According to the US Department of Labor’s Bureau of Statistics, the HVAC industry has seen a sharp rise in jobs, and that’s mainly because of the rising developments in the construction industry and more and more people living in urban areas. Moreover, HVAC technician jobs aren’t the only ones in the market right now. There are a plethora of other jobs like that of an HVAC contractor, an HVAC engineer, and an HVAC supervisor.
An HVAC technician in Atlanta can make around $20 per hour. If you have additional skills and other certificates such as APA and NATE, you are more likely to get higher wages and better job opportunities. An entry-level technician can earn to $27000 annually, whereas other senior technicians can earn up to $63000 annually.
Apart from a good salary, HVAC technicians also get a lot of other benefits. These include a good amount of money for health benefits that cover the basic cost of annual medical needs that a person has. Moreover, the job also covers things like social security, disability benefits, and time-off benefits. Not only that, but you will also be getting around $3000 worth of pension annually.
List of the Top HVAC Schools in Atlanta
Atlanta is a large capital, and there are so many great schools out there. But the issue with having so many options is that it’s hard to pick one that suits you well. But you don’t have to worry about that because our review discusses all the features and perks that each school has to offer. You can compare these against one another to see which one is best for you.
Altierus Career College
Our Review of the Program
The worst thing about most programs is that they require you to spend the majority of your time in the classrooms, but luckily for you, Altierus Career College is different as it doesn’t demand too much commitment. The program is only 9 months long and allows you to learn everything you need to get a licensed certificate and excel in the field. Not just that, it also offers thorough guidance that helps you set your foot in your new career.
The program is aimed at teaching some of the core concepts that come handy on the field. These include concepts like refrigeration, heat transfers, and other basic mechanisms. The HVAC technician program will also teach you all about installations, repairs, and maintenance of cooling and heating systems.
But what sets it apart from all other programs is that it offers students a choice between different specialties. Students can either opt for the HVAC full program, or they can opt for the refrigeration technician program.
Moreover, the program also prepares you for testing ahead. It lets you earn professional credentials that come in handy during your employability and hence improve your chances of earning a good amount of money. Not just those, these tests are diverse and are completely free. You can get NCCER credentials, the EPA 608 universal certificate, or the OSHA 10 hour certificate.
Atlanta Technical College
Our Review of the Program
Atlanta Technical College has made a name for itself thanks to its amazing college environment and professional instructors. Its HVAC program is one of the most successful in the capital and has been attended by thousands of students. The air conditioning technology is a diploma program that comes with a sequence of different courses that prepares students for working in the air conditioning and heating industry.
The program is planned so that it maximizes each student’s potential and helps them rise above their station in a short time. It provides students with basic knowledge regarding the equipment; this is then coupled with field and practical knowledge that lets students apply theoretical concepts on the ground.
The major part of the program also focuses on the entry-level testing that the student needs to pass in order to get employed in one of the residential or commercial areas.
The graduates of this diploma program will also be receiving technical credits and certificates in their respective degrees, which will make them eligible to work anywhere. There is just a small catch. To start this program, a student must be 16 years old and must have completed high school, the transcription of which will be submitted beforehand.
Interactive College of Technology
Our Review of the Program
This college is completely true to its name as it offers interactive classrooms that give students more room to grow and excel in their respective fields. This program is also designed to help students enhance their existing skills in the field and also learn new and better concepts that will land them decent jobs in the HVAC industry.
Not only that, but it is one of the most economical programs in Atlanta, which makes it an affordable choice for people who don’t have the means to start an expensive education. This HVAC training course differs from most other colleges because they offer more than the bookish knowledge that other colleges provide.
Most of the lectures are based on practical knowledge, which is more important in this particular field. Students are provided with a number of scenarios that they have to tackle in order to move on to the next steps. This not only gives students more confidence but also ensures that they learn practical skills.
Moreover, graduates of the program would have completed the industry required certification preparation and can hence easily pass the exam. Not just that, they can also make use of the externship offers that ICT provides. Through this, they can be placed at any of the partnering companies for at least 135 hours. This will give them extensive knowledge and practical experience, which will make them fully prepared for the invigorating job ahead.
Georgia Peidmont Technical College
Our Review of the Program
If you are looking for one of the most comprehensive HVAC training programs in the region, then you have certainly come to the right place. Georgia Piedmont College is the best at providing students with amazing classroom experiences and on-field practical knowledge.
The instructors are well taught and are completely professional in their dealings. They are also friendly and understanding towards the students’ problems and issues hence ensuring that each student is given equal importance.
Enrolling in their HVAC program will give you a lifetime opportunity to learn more skills and be good at what you do later. There is also diversity in the subjects that are taught, which ensures that you can opt for a number of jobs once you graduate. You could choose to become an HVAC technician, contractor or engineer. The knowledge that is delivered in the lecture is hence diverse and doesn’t restrict students in their choice of a career.
But perhaps what separates this course from all others is the way lectures are delivered. Unlike most other schools, professors don’t just bombard you with all kinds of knowledge. They start with easier and more basic concepts first. Once you learn the basics, only then will they move to the more complex information. This, coupled with on-field practical knowledge, makes this program one of the best ones in the country.
Lanier Technical College
Our Review of the Program
This is the last college in our list, but in no way is it the last, and once you read its description, we are sure you will agree too. Lanier College excels in many things, but it mainly stands out to us because of its truly immersive Air conditioning technology training program. This includes a series of diverse courses that prepare students for the air conditioning industry. Plus, learning opportunities are provided at every step of the way that enhances the academic and professional knowledge of the students.
The skills that are mainly required to excel at such a job are focus, patience, and thorough knowledge, and the innovative lectures are aimed at providing just that. They also ensure that once the student gets the job, he or she can also retain it to the best of their abilities. The program, therefore, emphasizes other areas too, such as good communication skills and a good work ethic. This ensures that the graduates of the college stand out in the crowd.
But that’s not all, the campus is known for offering a friendly environment to all its students. It is free from any discrimination, which means that students can ask as many questions as they want without feeling judged or discriminated by the professors or their peers. All this, coupled with the assurance of thorough skill development, makes this program one of the most praised ones in the capital.
Conclusion
We have already established how important HVAC programs are, but that’s not the hard part. With so many schools offering diverse programs, it can be hard to pick one that suits you best. You can access a couple of factors before you make a final choice.
You can either choose to opt for the school nearest you, or you can pick one that’s most affordable. But regardless of what school you decide to attend, rest assured that you are going to get a good HVAC certification at the end of it.
