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If you’re considering a career in the HVAC industry, you’ll be glad to know HVAC technicians remain in high demand. Many HVAC training programs exist in Vermont to teach people the skills they need to enter the HVAC workforce.
A growing demand for HVAC technicians in the Green Mountain State means there’s a wide selection of choices for your career, from HVAC maintenance technicians to lead HVAC system installers.
The Department of Labor’s job search website, CareerOneStop, projects a 5% growth rate for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Vermont, with the same amount of growth nationwide over the next decade. There’s definitely evidence to support this on job boards. For instance, there are numerous HVAC technician jobs in Vermont posted on Indeed and ZipRecruiter.
In this complete guide, we’ve put together everything you need to know to get started as an HVAC technician in the state of Vermont.
Vermont HVAC Training Programs
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), “Many HVACR technicians receive postsecondary instruction from technical and trade schools or community colleges that offer programs in heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration. These programs generally last from 6 months to 2 years and lead to a certificate or an associate’s degree. High school students interested in becoming an HVACR technician should take courses in vocational education, math, and physics. Knowledge of plumbing or electrical work and a basic understanding of electronics is also helpful.”
The BLS also states some technicians receive their training through an apprenticeship program, which typically lasts three to five years. The Home Builders Institute offers a pre-apprenticeship certificate training (PACT) program for eight construction trades, including heating, ventilation, and air conditioning.
While Vermont doesn’t issue licenses for HVAC techs, the state requires licenses for those who perform electrical work on air conditioners and refrigerators, and those who install, replace, or repair hydronic heating systems. Type S journeyman electrician licenses are for those who perform air conditioning and refrigeration work; Type S heating system specialist licenses are for those who install, replace, or repair hydronic space heating systems.
Most people entering the HVAC industry in Vermont learn on the job as an apprentice or by working for an HVAC contractor through an employer-sponsored training program and taking classes at local trade school or community college.
Vermont is home to several trade schools and educational centers offering programs with HVAC courses, including:
Center for Technology, Essex, in Essex Junction
Green Mountain Technology & Career Center, in Hyde Park
River Valley Technical Center, in Springfield
Vermont Adult Career & Technical Education Association, at several regional centers
Vermont Technical College, in Randolph Center
Vermont Apprenticeships:
Sheet Metal Workers Local 63, in Springfield, Massachusetts
UA Local 693, in South Burlington
HVAC Degrees & Certificates
As you weigh the benefits of formal training at a trade school or technical college, you may want to speak with people in the field in the state where you intend to work to find out average salary and work requirements. In Vermont, license requirements vary depending on the work techs perform, such as electrical work on air conditioners and refrigerators or hydronic heating.
There’s typically a range of certificate and degree programs, as well as apprenticeships that combine classroom learning with hands-on experience. Some HVAC contractors may allow you to train with them full-time while also attending a college program at night or on the weekend. If you choose to start at a technical college, the time it takes to complete each kind of program and the cost of each are the most significant differences. The most common programs are:
Certificate Program – three to six months
Associate’s Degree – two years
Bachelor’s Degree – four years
Obviously, the longer the program, the more it costs. If you wish to be a mechanical engineer, you’ll need a four-year bachelor’s degree. If this is a path that interests you, you may want to explore an Associate of Science in Mechanical Engineering Technology or a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering at one of the universities in Vermont like:
The University of Vermont, in Burlington
Vermont State University, in Randolph Center
In many cases, but not always, formal education pays off in the form of higher wages.
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Typical Courses in Technical College Programs
HVAC training programs at technical colleges prepare students for their HVAC technician certification and careers in residential, commercial, or industrial HVAC applications. All combine theory and the practical skills needed to do the job. Most encourage students to work in their field of interest while attending school. Some programs are intended to give students a base of knowledge to prepare them to be helpers and get that first job with a licensed HVAC professional.
HVACR technician degree or diploma programs combine classroom learning and hands-on experience to teach the fundamentals of HVAC systems and related technical skills. Coursework teaches students about heating and cooling technology and maintenance, installation, and troubleshooting of HVAC and refrigeration systems. Courses typically cover:
Fundamentals of residential heating and air conditioning
Installation and operation of HVAC systems
Refrigeration technology
EPA laws related to safe handling and transport of refrigerants
Heat pumps
Sheet metal technology
Soldering/brazing
Control systems
Commercial air conditioning and refrigeration systems
School Selection Criteria
There are a lot of things to consider when picking the right school and program.
Cost
Cost is, of course, at the top of the list. According to Community College Review, tuition at Vermont community colleges on average is $6,566 per year for in-state students and $12,130 for out-of-state students. However, some of the accredited programs may be part of apprenticeship programs, and tuition may be reimbursed by or paid for outright by the student’s employer or union. There will be some variations in fees at each school, too, so be sure to review all of the costs involved.
You will also incur costs for books and tools, but those tools are yours to keep as you enter your chosen occupational field. All students who are interested in receiving federal (Pell Grant) and state grants should apply for financial aid by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form online.
Program Length
In Vermont, HVAC and sheet metal apprenticeship programs last four to five years and consist of classroom instruction and on-the-job training.
Benefits
There are benefits to formal education if you want to be an HVAC professional. You may be able to put your classroom hours toward an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree. Technical training is also usually rewarded with higher starting pay and lifelong earnings.
Online vs in-person
You may choose to get started on your HVAC training through an online program. Vermont Technical College offers an online certified HVACR technician training program for those with one to two years of industry experience. Participants may complete the program in 12 months or less.
Level of difficulty
HVAC training programs prepare graduates for entry-level positions in commercial, industrial, or residential sectors. HVAC technicians have to learn to do a lot of different things to be successful, including how to follow blueprints or other design specifications to install or repair HVAC systems, connect systems to fuel and water supply lines and air ducts, install electrical wiring and controls, proper techniques of refrigerant recovery, reclaiming and recycling, run diagnostics, and so much more.
School Comparison: At a Glance
These schools listed below offer HVAC programs to train students for a career in the HVAC industry. Let’s take a look at the different schools:
Center for Technology, Essex
Offers a 28-week program in heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration. Students receive college credit with Vermont Technical College and have the option of receiving credit for an associate’s degree, 168 hours.
Green Mountain Technology & Career Center
Offers a heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration program for high school students.
Offers an industrial trades program for high school students, which includes HVAC and welding skills.
Vermont Adult Career & Technical Education Association
Offers adult training programs at 17 regional centers. HVACR technician training is offered at Center for Technology, Essex; and Green Mountain Technology & Career Center. Basic refrigeration is offered at North Country Career Center.
Offers an online certified HVACR technician training program for those with one to two years of industry experience. Participants may complete the program in 12 months or less.
Steps for Enrollment in Vermont
Every college has its own way of doing things, but in general the process begins with applying for admission on the school’s website. Some require you to pay an application fee and provide several documents. Typically, the application process includes the following steps:
Complete your application.
Pay the application fee (if applicable).
Provide proof of residency to qualify for in-state tuition.
Have sealed official high school transcript or GED scores sent.
Submit placement test scores.
If applicable, apply for on-campus housing.
If you choose to start with an apprenticeship, you will want to contact the Local Union or non-union trade organization chapter closest to you. Each organization has a slightly different application process, but the application requirements in general are:
Must be at least 18 years of age.
Must be a high school graduate, senior scheduled to graduate or have earned a GED certificate. Applicants will be required to provide a copy of their diploma or GED certificate, and an official transcript of their grades following submission of the application.
Must have a valid driver’s license.
Have passed high school algebra or an equivalent post-high school algebra class with a “C” or better or pass an aptitude test.
Pass a drug screen and criminal background checks.
HVAC Career Requirements in Vermont
While Vermont does not license HVAC technicians, the state does require licenses for certain work HVAC professionals may perform. The Department of Public Safety Division of Fire Safety issues Type S journeyman electrician licenses to those who perform air conditioning and refrigeration work. It also issues Type S heating system specialist licenses for those who install, replace, or repair hydronic space heating systems.
Electrician licenses must be renewed every three years. Type S journeyman electrician license holders must complete eight hours of board-approved instruction on their specialty during the preceding 36 months. Those who hold multiple specialty licenses do not need to complete more than 15 hours during that period. Also, if you want to own your own HVAC business you will want to get your license.
For a detailed explanation of Vermont’s HVACR licensing requirements and how to fulfill them, check out our essential guide to getting your Vermont HVAC License.
No matter what state you live in, there are Environmental Protection Agency requirements at the federal level for technicians who maintain, service, repair, or dispose of equipment that could release refrigerants into the atmosphere. According to EPA regulations under Section 608 of the Clean Air Act, this applies to any professional who conducts refrigerant line-pressure tests or handles or adds refrigerant to existing air conditioning systems. EPA certification is often part of HVAC degree programs. If you choose a shorter certificate program, you may need to get EPA certification on your own. Your employer should be able to guide you to resources, or you can find them in our Vermont HVAC License guide.
Salaries for HVAC Professionals in Vermont
Before paying for technical education or completing a lengthy apprenticeship to become an HVAC technician, you’ll want some idea of the potential return on your investment of time, effort, energy, and money. In other words, what can you expect to make as an HVAC professional in Vermont? Payscale.com data provides an answer based on your experience. The median HVAC professional salary in Vermont for 2023 is:
Entry level <2 years: $48,600
Intermediate 2-4 years: $55,800
Senior 4-6 years: $63,600
Supervisor > 7 years: $82,600
For more information about HVAC technician salaries, visit this state-by-state guide.
Industry Apprenticeships
In Vermont, apprenticeships last four to five years and combine hands-on training with classroom instruction. To meet U.S. Department of Labor standards, you must accumulate 8,000 hours of on-the-job training and 576 hours of classroom instruction over four years. Most also require you to be at least 18 years of age, have a high school diploma or a GED, a valid driver’s license, and have the physical ability to perform the work of the trade.
Apprenticeship programs in Vermont include:
State of Vermont Department of Labor
Provides a list of available registered apprenticeships.
Offers sheet metal apprenticeship training and continuing education courses.
Offers a five-year apprenticeship program.
Offers continuing education opportunities that include journeymen training and certification, and an associate’s degree program.
Other School Options
In addition to HVAC training opportunities in Vermont, there are several HVAC training programs in neighboring New Hampshire and New York, including:
Manchester Community College, Manchester, New Hampshire
The New Hampshire School of Mechanical Trades, Manchester and Hampton, New Hampshire
The Refrigeration Institute, New York, New York
You can find the training you need to excel in a career as an HVAC technician in Vermont. The opportunities are all around you.
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