Prep for HVAC Careers: Learn Construction Basics

Are you a student interested in a career in the HVAC industry? At HVACR Career Connect NY, we have shared information about the important skills you need to get hired. Here’s one that can give you a leg up on the competition when you look for your first job: knowing construction basics.

What do we mean by “construction basics”? As an HVAC technician, you need to know how to use hand tools and certain power tools. It’s also incredibly important to understand safety practices to avoid getting injured on the job. And, in HVACR you’ll find yourself using skills from a number of different trades, including carpentry, electrical work, and plumbing. So you’ll have an advantage if you have some experience and familiarity with these areas.

Here are 4 ways you can build your knowledge and experience about tools and construction work, even before you go to trade school or start looking for your first job in the HVACR industry.

4 Ways you can learn construction basics 

Step 1. Get familiar with safety gear & practices

Even before you start buying tools and learning to use them, it’s smart to learn about safety best practices for workers in the construction trades. Below you’ll find resources that can help you get familiar with safety equipment as well as safety recommendations specifically for the HVAC industry.

TIP: Get prepared now by investing in gear such as work boots, safety helmets, and work gloves.

Start here:

HVAC Safety Hazards: How to Avoid Injury on the Job

Why Switch to Safety Helmets?

Step 2. Get basic tools and practice using them

Do you know how to use basic hand tools like a hammer, screwdriver, wrench, or hack saw? How about a power drill/driver? To get started, it’s not a bad idea to watch videos on YouTube. But to really build competence with tools, you need hands-on practice. 

Read the article linked below to find out what tools you’re going to need for HVAC work. You don’t need to get everything on the list now! But start to collect a few tools and get comfortable using them. Here are a few ways to get practice and get help from experts:

• Do projects at home (with permission and supervision until you are comfortable). Start with something easy like hanging a picture or a towel bar in the bathroom. 
• Take shop class if you’re still in school and your school offers a class or a club where you can use construction tools and skills. 
• Join a maker space in your area. Chances are you can find a space nearby that you can join and make use of tools and construction equipment. You can learn a great deal just by watching and interacting with other members.

Start here:

HVAC Technician Tool List: Must-Have Tools for Service

Step 3. Shadow a trade professional to watch and learn

If you’re not able to start working full time yet, having a chance to “shadow” a professional can teach you a lot and help you imagine yourself in the job in the future. 

Ask a trade professional (so much the better if it’s an HVAC technician) if you can spend a day just watching what they do. You’ll be able to witness basic construction skills being used on the job.

NOTE: You probably won’t be able to do this on a construction site due to insurance regulations, but you might be able to shadow a handyman, plumber, or HVAC technician on visits to customer locations. Just make sure to stay out of the way and not be intrusive. 

Learn more: 

HVAC Helper Jobs: Pros & Cons to Know About

Step 4. Get a summer helper job on a construction site

Even if you’re still in high school, you can get hired as a summer helper or apprentice where you can spend months learning construction basics AND getting paid for it! You can work for a builder, renovation company, electrical contractor, or plumber doing simple tasks.

TIP: Some summer helper jobs require you to have your own tools. And they will be impressed if you can demonstrate safety competence. If you have already done the previous steps outlined here, you’ll be more likely to land a summer job.

With some construction experience under your belt, you’re that much closer to getting hired as an entry-level HVAC or Refrigeration technician.

Do you have what it takes to succeed as a technician? Find out by taking our quick quiz!

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.