With five campuses across Florida, the College of Business and Technology is an accredited university that teaches aspiring cooling professionals the fundamentals of their trade through both classroom and hands-on courses. In the program's eight-month class sequence, you'll get exposure to a variety of topics, including how refrigeration works, the role of electricity in the process, and types of cooling systems. You'll leave CBT prepared to put your education into practice in an entry-level air conditioning and refrigeration position.
While all CalApprenticeship students must complete 216 hours of training classes, the bulk of your learning will take place in actual job situations as you work alongside seasoned contractors. The five-year program provides practical job experience as well as health and dental benefits, progressive wage increases and the chance to meet the 8,000-hour requirement for journeyman status. All apprenticeship applicants must be California high school graduates of 18 years or older, complete aptitude tests and interviews, and possess the physical ability necessary for the profession.
Orleans Technical Institute might at first look like any other air conditioning and cooling program, but its commitment to making the profession environmentally friendly sets it apart from other schools. You'll learn about environmental government standards for cooling devices, alternative energy, and how refrigerants affect the atmosphere. To add to their skills set, students are also urged to take the EPA exam upon conclusion of the program. OTI graduates have gone on to a variety of successful careers, including business partners, hotel maintenance employees and HVAC workers.
Most air conditioning and refrigeration programs take an average of nine months to a year to complete, but CTARS can prepare you to enter the trade in just two weeks. Held six days a week for 10 hours a day, the program's hands-on classes teach the profession's basic components and skills, as well as installation, maintenance and repair procedures. All students must take the EPA exam and attend a seven-hour review seminar prior to the test day. Small classes, experienced faculty and plenty of practical training also help you to receive a quick but thorough education in the field.