HVAC On the Job Training vs. Trade School

Are you planning a career as an HVAC technician? You may be wondering about the best way to get started. Should you spend the time and money to go to trade school and enter the industry with some skills and knowledge? Or get an entry-level job and take advantage of HVAC on the job training to learn what you need to know?

The choice that’s right for you may depend on your situation. Here’s some information about when and why you might want to choose trade school or HVAC on the job training.

Trade school might be a better choice for you, if:

You have time and money to invest

While not as expensive as college, trade school can come with considerable up-front cost. Not to mention the fact that you probably won’t be able to work a full-time job and make money while you’re going to school.

But, if you’re in a position to take on the tuition expense and can put off bringing in an income for 18 months to 2 years, trade school can help you learn some beginner skills and theory. So when you’ve completed your program and start applying for jobs, you may have an advantage over candidates with no experience.

You have a highly rated trade school nearby

Good trade schools are not as easy to find as they used to be. And it’s important to choose a highly rated program that area contractors respect. Otherwise, all the time and money you spend won’t be worth it if employers aren’t impressed with a school’s graduates.

If you have a great school with a respected program close by (and you can afford the time and money as we just mentioned) it might be worth taking advantage of that.

You’re not sure HVAC service is the right career for you

This is probably one of the best reasons to consider trade school. You might not be completely sure which trade is the right choice for you. Trade school may give you the opportunity to learn a bit about several trades, try out the work, and see how well you are suited for the job before you make a long term commitment.

5 reasons to choose HVAC on the job training (and skip trade school)

1. Avoid the high cost of trade school

As we mentioned, trade school can set you back a pretty penny. With HVAC on the job training, you won’t need to take out loans or use all your savings to learn your trade. 

2. Start earning immediately and building income 

The sooner you start working as an entry-level HVAC technician, the faster you can build a great income to support yourself and your family. As a “helper” or junior tech with no experience, you’ll start out with modest wages, but within 5 years you can easily bring in $100,000 per year with overtime. HVAC on-the-job training is the fastest way to get there.

Learn more> Entry-Level HVAC Jobs: 5 Ways to Land One

3. Get into the union and start earning benefits

Union HVAC technicians get guaranteed raises and excellent medical benefits that are FULLY PAID FOR by their employers. Plus you can earn paid vacation time and a pension.

Again, the fastest path to union membership is to get hired by a union shop as an entry-level technician with a training program.

4. Learn relevant and immediately useful skills and information

Employers sometimes aren’t impressed with trade school grads because they may not be taught to do things in the way the company wants things done. Companies sometimes find they have to retrain the graduates in their own methods.

With HVAC on the job training, you learn skills that you can immediately practice and put to use in the field, and build on that knowledge and experience over time until you become an expert.

Learn more> HVACR Technician Careers: 4 Ways to Get Training

5. Get the benefits of mentorship

When you learn from experts who become mentors, it’s different from learning from a teacher in a classroom. Particularly when you learn from the same person (or a small team) day in and day out, you have the chance to bond and learn more than just everyday skills. 

A mentor takes an interest in your career and goes the extra mile to teach you more, such as diagnostic tips, repair techniques, and even “soft skills” like communication and teamwork.

Learn more> Mentor/Mentee Relationship: How to Get the Most Benefit

Ready to get started in your HVACR career?

Start by taking our quiz to find out if you’re well suited to a career as an HVAC & Refrigeration technician.

HVACR Career Connect NY was created to promote the exceptional quality-of-life benefits of a career in HVAC and Refrigeration service, and also to provide a clear path for getting started in the profession. In doing so, we serve as a resource for employers in the New York City metro area to find and hire smart and capable new technicians. We also serve as an educational resource to support business growth and to help service technicians succeed in their chosen profession.