HVAC Apprenticeship

Turn Up the Heat on Your Career

Transform your future with an HVAC apprenticeship program! This earn-and-learn model lets you build valuable skills while earning a paycheck. Gain hands-on experience and real-world training to start a rewarding career in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. As an HVAC technician, you’ll play a vital role in keeping homes and businesses comfortable year-round.

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HVAC Apprenticeship at a Glance

Degree
Apprenticeship
Length of Study
4 years
Course Format
Face-to-Face
Classes Meet
Evening
Program Start
Fall, Spring

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Your Career as an HVAC Technician

After completing your apprenticeship and passing the journeyman's exam you'll be able to work as a HVAC professional.

Your career will involve working to ensure that heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems in homes, businesses, and industrial settings are installed, maintained, and repaired properly. Your daily tasks will vary depending on the job and setting.

As your career progresses, you may have opportunities to specialize in specific areas, like refrigeration, commercial HVAC, or energy management.

470K

HVAC Professionals in U.S.

113K

U.S. HVAC Businesses

Program Overview

In the HVAC apprenticeship, you'll get the best of both worlds: hands-on experience and classroom instruction – all while earning a paycheck.

You'll work alongsided experienced professionals, gaining real-world skills in diagnosing, installing, and repairing HVAC systems in both residential and commercial settings.

Your apprenticeship will last around four years and includes 8,000 hours of OJT.

As an apprentice, you're required to complete a set number of classroom hours. The classroom sessions will include topics that are essential to becoming a skilled technician.

Topics will include:

  • HVAC System Fundamentals
  • Electrical Principles
  • Blueprint and Diagram Reading
  • Energy Efficiency and Green Technologies
  • Safety and Code Compliance

All classes are taught by instructors who are experts in the field, with years of experience.

To enroll in apprenticeship classes, you must be sponsored by a business or employer.

Regular attendance is required for classroom sessions.

Once you complete your coursework and your training hours you'll be eligible to take the state exam and earn an industry-recognized, nationally-portable credential.

Online HVAC apprenticeship classes are designed for you if you're sponsored by an employer but live or work more than 45 miles from the Cedar Falls Center, making weekly in-person classes a challenge.

With self-paced curriculum, you’ll need reliable internet access to complete the online coursework.

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HVAC Apprenticeship Levels

The HVAC Apprenticeship is approved by the Iowa Department of Labor. Each level fulfills the 144 classroom training hours required by an approved apprenticeship program.

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Training Topics

  • Air Distribution Systems
  • Basic Electricity
  • Copper and Plastic Piping Practices
  • Introduction to Cooling
  • Introduction to Heating
  • Introduction to HVAC
  • Steel Piping Practices
  • Trade Mathematics

Training Topics

  • Alternating Current
  • Air Quality Equipment
  • Basic Installation and Maintenance Practices
  • Chimneys, Vents, and Flues
  • Commercial Airside Systems
  • Compressors
  • Duct Systems
  • Heat Pumps
  • Introduction to Hydronic systems
  • Leak Detection, Evacuation, Recovery, and Charging
  • Metering Devices
  • Refrigerants and Oils

Training Topics

  • Air Source Heat Pump Systems
  • Basic electricity
  • Combustion and Fuels
  • Electrical Safety
  • Forced-Air Furnaces
  • Forced Air Furnace Components and Controls
  • Forced Air Heating Distribution Systems
  • Gas Pipe Sizing
  • High Pressure side Compressors and Condensers
  • HVAC and Refrigeration Systems
  • HVAC and Refrigeration System Safety
  • HVAC Unit Selection
  • Hydronic Heating System Boilers
  • Hydronic Heating Boiler components and Controls
  • Hydronic Heating Distribution Systems
  • Indoor Air Quality
  • Installing Residential Forced Air Heating and Cooling Systems
  • Installing Residential Hydronic systems
  • Installing, Servicing, and Troubleshooting Air Source Heat Pump Systems
  • Installing, Servicing and Troubleshooting Water Source and Geothermal Heat Pump Systems
  • Installing, Servicing, and Troubleshooting Chiller Systems
  • Introduction to International Mechanical Code
  • Low Pressure Side Expansion Devices and Accessories
  • Proper Charging on Air Conditioning Systems
  • Refrigeration Principles
  • Section 608 EPA Certification
  • Servicing and Troubleshooting Residential Forced Air HVAC Systems
  • Soldering and Brazing
  • Steam Heating-Boilers
  • Water Source and Geothermal Heat Pump Systems

Training Topics

  • Appliances and Fireplaces
  • Boilers, Water Heaters, and Pressure Vessels
  • Chimneys and Vents
  • Combustion Air
  • Duct Systems
  • Exam Preparation
  • Exhaust Systems
  • Fuel Oil Piping and Storage
  • Hydronic Piping
  • International Mechanical Code Scope and Administration, Definitions, and General Regulations
  • National Fuel Gas Code
  • Plan Review
  • Referenced Standards
  • Refrigeration
  • Solar Systems
  • Specific Appliances, Fireplaces and Solid Fuel Burning Equipment
  • Ventilation

How to Get Started

Beginning an apprenticeship program has a few steps, but we are here to help you through the process!

  1. Secure employment for the on-the-job learning portion of the program.
  2. If you don't have an employer sponsor, contact Hawkeye's Program Coordinator for a list of business partners.
  3. Work with your employer and Hawkeye to enroll.

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Dive into hands-on courses in welding, safety and OSHA, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC. Whether you’re eager to master new skills, refresh your expertise, or earn essential continuing education credits to keep your professional license up to date, we have just what you need.

Program Contacts

Business and Community Education Registration

319-296-4290
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