Becoming an Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVACR) Service Technician

Apprenticeship

The path to becoming a HVACR service technician starts with training. Many young technicians, either with some basic training from a high school/trade school or with no experience at all, begin as an apprentice or tradesman with a mechanical service contractor.

While an apprentice, the young technician works alongside an experienced technician who evaluates his or her skills. The young technician not only gains hands-on experience in the field, but earns a paycheck.

UA 5 STAR Training

Those technicians with an aptitude for the skills needed to become an HVACR service technician are offered the opportunity to enroll in the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipefitting Industry of the United States and Canada (UA) 5 STAR Apprentice Training program.

While in the 5 STAR Training program, technicians learn the trade on the job while collecting a paycheck. Coupled with that real-world training are classes at the local UA training center in the core skills needed to be an HVACR technician.

To complete the 5 STAR Training program, the student must attend five years of on-the-job and classroom training (those with some previous training or education can test out of certain aspects of the curriculum to accelerate their completion). The 5 STAR Training program features new curriculum and educational tools for students along with training for the UA instructors.

Technicians who became members of the UA are expected to uphold a strict Standard for Excellence policy that outlines the obligations of UA members and the signatory contractors.

Earning College Credits

An added benefit of the 5 STAR Training program is that when completed, the technician receives 32 college credits (valued at up to $2,500) towards an Associate’s degree. He or she can also earn additional credit towards an HVACR degree along the way. Essentially, the student is paid in dollars, college tuition and even potentially a degree to learn and build his or her skills.

Find a Local Accredited Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Technical School

HVAC Excellence is a nonprofit organization that focuses on the education and training of the current and future HVAC workforce. To find a list of technical schools accredited by HVAC Excellence, click here

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