Alabama HVAC Schools

If you would like to have the opportunity to learn more about the HVAC industry in Alabama, you ought to be reading this article as soon as possible. We will give you some pointers that can help you understand what HVAC technology is all about and how you can make this particular industry work for you in the future.

HVAC stands for Heat, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning. Because of the ever-evolving technological advances that people are experiencing in the country today, knowledge in HVAC maintenance has already become a necessity. Heating/Cooling Systems refer to equipment and pipes used to ventilate any kind of establishment are home in the U.S. Refrigeration refers to the process of utilizing different types of mechanical equipment to regulate the temperature within residential or industrial building.

 

The HVAC Industry in Alabama
Here in Alabama, HVAC has become one of the most popular workforce boosters in the state. A lot of high schools and college graduates and even some of those who already have blooming careers take additional courses in HVAC technologies to become licensed electricians and maintenance personnel in the state.

Fortunately, Alabama has a board of Heating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration contractors that will be able to help you understand how it is to become a licensed HVAC personnel in Alabama. Here are a few additional details about the HVAC industry in Alabama.

Significant Licensure Application Requirements
If you want to receive your license on time and be able to work in Alabama as an HVAC technician, you would have to be able to submit these requirements on or before the next scheduled meeting date of the board.

• Completed application form
• Required fee
• Additional supporting documents

You will be able to check out the board’s rules and regulations regarding applications and more additional details on the website itself.

Required Examinations
After submitting the application form for the license, you will then be notified for proper examination and briefing. Upon successfully passing the examination, you will be given an apprenticeship significant that will allow you to be board certified and eventually work in and around the state of Alabama. Prior to receiving your certificate, you will have to check your status after the examination itself. Here are the different types of status information that you will be able to find within the board website.

Active Status
This status applies to all people who are applying for an HVAC certification. Note that you have to have your license first before you would be able to apply for certification in Alabama. To be able to get your certification an active status, you ought to submit the following documents and forms within the licensure examination.
• AL-1
• AL-2
• BF-1

You also have to pay a $15,000 certification fee to complete the transaction.

Inactive Status
You can also ask the board to deactivate your certification and license. To do this, you must submit the AL-1 form only. Remember that you cannot practice your skills in HVAC technology as a career without your license.

Education and Training
Prior to getting your license, you would have to be trained sufficiently in the art of HVAC maintenance. Alabama has a wide variety of training establishments that can help you reach this particular goal in the shortest amount of time possible. This section will help you find out more about those particular establishments. The subsequent paragraphs will also discuss how you can get in contact with them as soon as possible.

Training Centers and Establishments Available
You can enroll in about 17 accredited schools if you want to have licensed training in HVAC technology in Alabama. Below are a couple of those schools and a few important details about them.

Adult Education
If you are aiming to get your GED and get to the career of your choice right away, this is also the school for you. On the other hand, if you just want to further your education and increase your knowledge about mechanical and technical courses available, Central Alabama community college will definitely be able to help you out.

 

Financial Aid
Students will also be given the opportunity to learn more about financial aid and housing through the website itself. If you need advice on getting the right job opportunities, it would help you to go through career counseling in the school itself.

Campus Locations
As soon as you enroll in this institution, you will be able to explore various campuses and locations that can help you in terms of enrichment and skill development. Central Alabama Community College has campuses In Alexander City among others.

These campuses and training centers will be able to provide you with the same type of quality education that you would get from the main campus in the future. Do not be afraid to inquire about these campuses as soon as you can to get your career started.

This is why it is important for you to enroll in an Alabama training school right now. You will not only get proper training in terms of technical skills, you will also get to experience the camaraderie and support that only the students and faculty members in each of these schools can offer.

If you ever decide to enroll in these schools, you will certainly be able to get the best of the best when it comes to instruction and training. Professional electricians and HVAC experts will be the ones to train you and possibly hone your skills even better in the future. This is why you would be ensured of quality education if you decide to enroll in any of these institutions.

How to Find Contractors in Alabama
Once you become a professional HVAC contractor in Alabama, you will be able to easily find jobs within the state itself. Many electrical companies will be open to hiring you as soon as you graduate from Alabama training schools down the line.

Online Presence
In this modern age of technology, you will easily be able to find a competent HVAC contractor from Alabama on the web itself. The local governments of Alabama also have a list of available contractors that you can contact if and when necessary. This is why it is important for you to be able to improve your online presence as well as your technical skills for work. This particular balance will give you an edge that you would need to establish a more lucrative career in Alabama as an HVAC technical expert down the road.

These are just some of the most pertinent information that you can have regarding HVAC in Alabama. You will definitely get to have a fruitful career as an HVAC electrician in this state if you are able to do proper research and training in the field. Go ahead and learn all that you can. You will be better off for it in the end.

 

Resume and Job Opportunities in Alabama

One of things we highly advise when looking at HVAC jobs in Alabama is to make sure you’re attending a school that will qualify you for the position you intend to have. Take time to look at local job postings to see what requirements they state. Some companies will require you to have a given number of years of experience before they hire you. Most recently we found companies wanting things like an EPA license. Almost all will require you have the proper training from a trade school and a valid driver’s license. One of best ways to get noticed if you have just graduated and don’t have the required number of years of experience is to get these extra certificates to make you stand out. EPA and Freon handling certificates are the top ones you should carry but also look into any solar certification as that is relatively new and not too many HVAC technicians have experience in that area.

Job Outlook
The HVAC trade has been in the news lately as the number of available positions open have climbed to record numbers yet the number of qualified candidates have continued to decline over the years. Alabama has some of the more competitive salaries for HVAC technicians in the county. The Auburn area ranges in salaries from $29,000 to $48,888 where areas in Birmingham, Decatur, Florence and Mobile average $38,500. The highest salary can be found in Florence, AL and averages over $50,000. The number of jobs rose to just over 292,000 and the industry is expected to increase by 15%.

Schools that Offer HVAC in Alabama

When selecting a school to attend in Alabama you need to first decide if you want to attend a local trade school that offers the program or a community college. The advantage of a trade school is typically you can get trained quicker which will allow you to enter the workforce faster. Community colleges offer the advantage of a lower tuition cost however these classes are usually full, you won’t get as much personalized attention and it might take you longer to complete.

Fortis College
The HVAC program at Fortis will prepare students for an entry-level position as a HVAC technician.
Fortis Colleges has campus locations in Alabama that offers HVAC-R training.
Fortis College in Foley 200 East Laurel Avenue Foley, AL 36535
Fortis College in Dothan 200 Vulcan Way Dothan, AL 36303
Fortis college in Birmingham 100 London Parkway Suite 150 Birmingham, AL 35211
Fortis College in Mobile 7033 Airport Blvd. Mobile, AL 36608

 

Virginia College
You can earn your certificate in HVAC from Virginia College who has a campus location at 488 Palisades Blvd. Birmingham, AL 35209. For the entire school they have an undergraduate tuition and fee rate of $13,932 and currently have over 5000 students. They offer both a certificate as well as a HVAC degree. Their diploma program prepares you in as little as 44 weeks.

Alabama Power HVAC Center
The training offered is all hands-on and classroom based. They offer individual courses from basic to the advanced as well as state board review and NATE reviews. Prices and course schedules are on their website. Their training facility is over 15,000 square feet and has 29 fully equipped training units. Alabama HVAC Training Center 2388 Country Road 93, Verbena, AL 36091.

Bevill State Community College
The school offers a short-term certificate, long-term certificate as well as an Associate in Applied Science Degree in Air Conditioning and Refrigeration. The program is accredited by the Partnership for Air Conditioning, heating, refrigeration Accreditation (PAHRA). It is offered at their Hamilton 1481 Military Street S Hamilton, Alabama 35570 and Sumiton campus locations at 101 State Street Sumiton, Alabama 35148.

Wallace Community College
The course at Wallace focuses on the residential and light commercial HVAC systems. It is offered at their Wallace, Sparks campus as well as Ventress Correctional Facility. Wallace Campus is at 1141 Wallace Drive in Dothan, AL 36303.

Drake State Community and Technical College
The HVAC program offered at Drake State teaches you to principles of controlled system and how to properly fix any issue. The program is 29 credit hours for the certificate program and 72 hours for the Associate Degree (AAT). The campus location is located at 3421 Meridian Street North Huntsville, AL 35811.