Becoming a heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC&R) technician can lead to a highly rewarding career, as you help to provide comfort in living and working environments. HVAC&R technicians primarily attend a trade school to help build their skills in maintenance and repair. Pennco Tech offers an HVAC&R Technician program in Blackwood, NJ, and Bristol, PA, with day and evening class options. Here, we discuss how HVAC&R school can help you pursue a career in the field.

What Does Our HVAC&R School Teach?

Attending HVAC&R school is smart for anyone wishing to become a skilled technician. The HVAC&R Technician training provided at Pennco Tech teaches students the technical knowledge and hands-on experience needed to excel in the field. It covers the intricacies of heating, cooling, and refrigeration units in residential and commercial settings. Fundamental areas of our curriculum include:

• Properly designing and installing components and configurations of different systems
• Optimizing systems for energy efficiency
• Handling refrigerants and gas lines
• Working with electrical components, including wiring, circuits, boards, and controls
• Building automation systems (BAS), which manage HVAC&R, lighting, and other building systems
• Maintaining and repairing HVAC&R equipment
• Achieving the ideal indoor air quality (IAQ)
• Ensuring safety at any job site with personal protective equipment (PPE) and other protocols

Is Pennco Tech’s HVAC&R School Worth It?

Establishing a long-term career as an HVAC&R technician requires vocational training. Our HVAC&R trade school program provides in-depth insights from experienced instructors, which are essential for preparing for a career. There are many benefits to attending our HVAC&R program, including:

Completion Time and Scheduling

At Pennco Tech, you can receive training to become an HVAC&R technician in as little as 35 weeks. We offer both daytime and nighttime course schedules to help students accommodate other commitments they may have. For even more flexibility, this program is available at both our Blackwood, NJ, and Bristol, PA, campuses. Specifically, the day and evening schedules differ as follows:

• Day: This schedule includes 1,200 total course hours, which students complete over the course of four terms (300 hours each).
• Evening: This option spans a total of 960 hours, which are divided into four terms of 240 hours each.

Hands-On Training

Aspiring HVAC&R technicians are often interested in wiring and electrical skills, as well as wiring and troubleshooting systems. However, they may not have access to hands-on training without attending HVAC&R school. Hands-on, real-world experience is important for a career in HVAC&R, which is why our programs provide exposure to the most important aspects of the industry.

Ability to Explore Job Opportunities

Graduates of HVAC&R programs can choose multiple paths in the field, such as:

• HVAC&R technicians
• Installers
• Maintenance specialists
• Service managers
• Sales representatives

By attending our training program, graduates are taught essential skills needed in these different job opportunities in the HVAC field. After graduating, becoming certified, and gaining work experience, HVAC&R technicians can also take on more complex tasks like supervising junior technicians. They may also be able to mentor entry-level technicians and lead teams.

Exciting Job Growth

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), job projections for HVACR technicians are predicted to rise by 9% through 2033. Over 42,500 openings are projected for installation, maintenance, and HVAC specialists in that timeframe. This is partly because commercial and residential building construction is expected to drive career growth. By attending HVAC&R school, graduates can help fill this demand.

Competitive Pay

A career in HVAC technology offers competitive pay and industry benefits. According to BLS data, the median annual wage for HVAC&R mechanics and installers was $59,810 in May 2024. Most skilled HVAC&R workers work in wholesale trade, educational services, retail trade, and as contractors. They often work full-time, with schedules potentially varying according to evening or weekend shifts or overtime.

In New Jersey, HVAC technicians have an average salary of $71,490 per year, and in Pennsylvania, they make around $63,250 annually. Completing HVAC&R school can help teach graduates the skills needed to earn good pay.

Additional Resources

Along with our comprehensive HVAC&R program, Pennco Tech also offers financial aid for qualified students. Our Career Services and lifetime career support* are also available to our graduates, helping them with job placement assistance and more.

*Availability of lifetime career assistance is contingent upon continuous institutional operations.

Explore HVAC&R School Near You in New Jersey and Pennsylvania

If you believe HVAC&R school is worth it, consider applying to the training program at Pennco Tech, which is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC). To learn more about our HVAC&R Technician program in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, contact us or schedule a campus tour.