You don’t have to pursue an expensive higher-education degree to find a satisfying and challenging career. Vocational education is an affordable alternative for individuals who are looking to work with their hands and develop skills that will last a lifetime. Consider MIAT College of Technology’s HVAC/R (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration) program, which trains students for one of the fastest-growing trades in the country.
Growth and Careers
Many find HVAC/R to be a rewarding career. The fact that people have come to expect temperature control during all four seasons means that HVAC/R technicians have a lot of job security. There are a variety of tasks, working environments, and positions available in the field. Plus, the field is rapidly growing! The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the field will experience a 21% growth between 2012 and 2022. This means that there will be many new job opportunities, as the industry is likely to add as many as 55,900 roles over these ten years. With this kind of growth, trained HVAC/R techs are in high demand, which leads to better job security and improved wages.[i]
HVAC/R Technology
The HVAC/R industry is no longer a manual wrench-and-screwdriver type of job. Knowledge of information technology is essential to the modern technician because of new advances in equipment design and operation. The job requirements range from configuring a WiFi thermostat to installing and programming an access point for a climate control system in a commercial building. This means that technicians will often use networking skills to assess and troubleshoot problems with new equipment, and that it is important for anyone interested in this field to stay up-to-date on the latest developments.
HVAC/R Education
Your journey in HVAC/R education does not have to stop at completing any given training program or getting your associate’s degree. You have the option to pursue a Bachelor’s or even a Master’s degree in HVAC/R Engineering! The best thing about the field is that it is evolving. More and more equipment is being developed that is dependent on refrigeration and other HVAC/R technology.
The demand for individuals with HVAC/R skills is expected to continue to increase. The industry is undergoing significant growth. This creates numerous job opportunities for engineers, technicians, contractors, installers, and repair technicians. Also, as people become increasingly environmentally-conscious, energy-efficient, eco-friendly units and green technology is expected to be in particularly high demand. [ii] This means that it is important for anyone who is interested in the field to study new trends and stay up-to-date. MIAT College of Technology HVAC/R instructors educate students about the latest technologies to give them an advantage when they enter the workforce.
Conclusion
Opportunities abound in the HVAC/R field, especially because of the variety of skills needed to build, repair, and maintain equipment. The industry offers individuals a chance to work with their hands and develop problem-solving and critical thinking skills. In addition, most positions require individuals to be mobile, meaning that technicians work in a range of settings and are not confined to a desk. Given the growth, job security, and technological development in HVAC/R, there are many reasons to consider pursuing a career in this exciting industry!
If you are interested in learning more about the field, contact MIAT College of Technology directly at (734) 423-2100 for our Canton, MI location, or (713) 401-3399 for our Houston, TX campus. You can also research the MIAT HVAC/R program online at https://miat.edu/programs/hvacr-technician-program/.
Important information about the educational debt, earnings, and completion rates of students who attended this program may be found here: https://miat.edu/disclosures/
[i] Bohm, S. (2016, May 5). The Demand for HVACR Technicians Is Heating Up in 2016. https://www.refrigerationschool.com/blog/hvacr/demand-hvacr-technicians-heating-2016/
[ii] Explore the Trades. (2015). http://www.explorethetrades.org/hvac/why-become-an-hvac-technician/