How to Pursue a Career in HVAC and Refrigeration
America is a land of extremely different temperatures from the arctic wastes of Alaska to the searing heat of Navada. Perhaps one of the most essential tools we use in modern day America is the Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning units or HVAC.
HVAC engineers specialize in building and maintaining these units and also refrigeration units that can be used in homes, transportation vehicles and in commercial enterprise. Refrigeration is essential for food transportation and keeping ordinary people eating decent food daily.
The economy depends on the ability to maintain a comfortable temperature for workers. Otherwise the southern states would have to install a system of siestas and the northern states will have to hibernate six months of the year.
Because of this, the HVAC engineer sector is predicted to grow by 36% by 2020 and is one of the few engineering jobs that is not expected to decline any time soon.
So how to you get yourself into this as a career?
Well a good place to start is to earn your diploma in HVAC/ Refrigeration technologies from a good college. Many non-profit and community colleges offer such courses and due to the complex nature of some of the machinery many entry-level positions require a pass in this diploma. There are many online courses too that can be pursued on a full or part-time basis.
The next step would be to apprentice an experienced engineer. By doing this you are guaranteed an excellent start in the career. Apprenticeships can be found through government schemes but personal and family contacts should not be underestimated in getting this positions, so ask around, you are more likely to get an apprenticeship through a mutual or family acquaintance. Once you have completed your training over a 3-5 year period you will be qualified as a skilled technician who can then be self-employed.
Once you begin working you can expect to find yourself inspecting and maintaining HVACR systems, installing electrical wiring and controls, connecting systems to fuel and water supply lines and following blueprints to install or repair HVACR systems.
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