The construction industry has been growing in the last few years. But at the same pace, construction workers have been retiring. That means all these companies need new professionals. That’s why if you are thinking about pursuing a career in this field, this is a perfect time. To help you out in this article, we are going to do a complete HVAC technician job outlook.
If you want to succeed as an HVAC professional, then the first thing you need to do is understand the industry. HVAC, as you might already know, is the abbreviation of, “heating, ventilation and air conditioning.” As a technician, that means you will have to deal with this system inside homes or buildings. That will ultimately depend on the path you take, which could be either residential or commercial.
Luckily for you, the HVAC career outlook is more promising than before since there are professionals that specialize in one part of the entire system. For instance, some are only dedicated to fixing the refrigerant, others take care of installations, and some technicians just focus on maintaining your system. With such a wide range of opportunities, you will be able to find a stable job.
Now, let’s take a look at some things you should know before entering this industry.
HVAC Career Outlook
The first thing you need to know is that the construction industry is the one that provides the most secure jobs in North America. However, it is also one that creates paths through which you can get the necessary knowledge to succeed at your job. In this regard, here are a few things that can help you find your way, to something you will enjoy.
Commercial vs residential HVAC
If you choose residential HVAC, that means you’ll be specializing in the appropriate systems for condos, apartments, houses, among others. The best part of choosing the residential category is that it will be easier to enter. You can find several apprenticeship programs and courses to gain all the knowledge.
On the other hand, commercial HVAC focuses on the system you can find in buildings, factories, warehouses, and offices. In case you like this kind of path, you will need to have more experience in the industry. Plus, several apprenticeship programs as well as an EPA license.
Training as a technician
As you now know, you will need training if you want to get a job in the HVAC industry. Some of you might be thinking you will have to go to college, pay for high tuition and drown in debt while trying to get all the knowledge you need. In this case, you don’t need to worry about all of that. It is true you will need various training courses or maybe a full program. However, you won’t need four full years to complete it. Keep in mind that for the hiring process, you will need to show all the certifications.
The mandatory requirement you need to meet includes an EPA-type certification. In this regard, you can choose I, II, or III depending on what you’d like to do. The first one focuses on repairing small appliances, in the second you can learn about high-pressure systems, and the third is for low-pressure appliances. For a complete education in this field, you can choose the Universal EPA certification which gathers all the three that were mentioned above.
Working Conditions
If you decide to be an HVAC technician, you should know you are not working all day in an office. You will be outdoors, visiting the clients when they call you. Having a job in the construction industry also means you will have to endure harsh conditions such as standing in the sun for hours.
Being a professional in this field, you will have to work hard every day and manage heavy equipment. However, you also need to think about what you will get in return, a stable income, plus, financial security. This could have a large impact on your life since you can start saving up for a house and your retirement.
Having Soft Skills
Up to this point, we have only talked about the hard skills you need as an HVAC technician. For instance, during your training, you will learn how to handle the equipment, make calculations, and understand how every part of the system works. But, that is just one part of the job. In your daily routine, you’ll have to work with angry customers. This means you’ll have to find a way to calm them down.
If we are talking about a complete HVAC outlook, we need to include people skills. As a professional in the construction field, you should have the right personality traits to interact with the customer. To succeed in this job, you should learn how to communicate and deal with a bad temper. This sounds hard, but if you do this, it will help you advance your career.
Extra Certifications
Apart from all the basic training, you can do some extra things to get ahead of the competition. The first one is the North American Technician Excellence (NATE). This is an association of HVAC system technicians. To get in, you will have to pass all the skills tests.
Further, you can get an HVAC Excellence Certification. This is the best way to show you have all the necessary practical and theoretical knowledge. There are different levels depending on how many tests you pass. Keep in mind that this will also ensure a higher salary since you can become indispensable for a company.
Job opportunities
If you are reading this HVAC technician job outlook, then that means you want to explore a new field and change your career path. In this case, you will be happy to hear that the job opportunities as an HVAC professional are many. You can be a manager, engineer, or installer. Plus, contrary to what everyone knows, women also have a chance to succeed in this industry.
After reading this HVAC outlook, you have all the basic knowledge to decide if you are ready to enter the industry. In case you do, we will recommend you start looking for all training programs, courses, and certifications.