The majority of people start their journey in the Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning industry by completing an accredited HVAC Training Program. After training is completed there are a variety of career pathways to take in the HVAC industry. The exact path will vary from person to person, but largely depends on personal experience, individual preferences and qualifications. With that said, here are some of the most popular HVAC career pathways.
- Working for a HVAC Company
On completion of the relevant HVAC training, the majority of entrants into the industry begin their career by securing an entry-level job with a local HVAC business. This is a great place to begin as they will typically have professionals with years of experience willing to mentor you and help build your own skills and knowledge in the field.
Of course, by this point you should know a lot about heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems and installation, but most people would agree that the majority of learning and finessing of the fundamental skills is achieved during the first few years of actively working in industry.
Another thing to remember is that working as an employee means you don’t have to worry about covering your own health insurance. Other common company benefits are also appealing and typically include paid sick leave, vacations and the potential to earn bonuses and even get promoted.
- Working as an HVAC Contractor
Becoming a HVAC contractor means you are able to work independently and essentially become your own boss. Many HVAC technicians pursue this route if they eventually plan on setting up their own HVAC Company as it involves many similar skills and processes involved in operating a fully fledged business, including marketing, advertising and becoming familiar with all the bureaucracy it entails.
It’s worth noting that becoming self-employed does involve greater responsibility than being an employee, since you are responsible for acquiring your own health insurance, dealing with sick periods and planning for periods of vacation. Not just that but you will also have to keep on top of your company finances, carry out strategic planning and set sales targets.
There truly is a lot to consider, but for some the advantages outweigh the disadvantages, especially for those who have built some experience and feel prepared to spread their wings and pursue greater rewards.
- Start up Your Own HVAC Business
Many people find the idea of starting up their own company extremely appealing. The good news is that by 2020 the HVAC industry is expected to be worth an incredible $130 billion dollars, so it’s definitely a business with a considerable amount of promise.
Even better is that setting up a small business in the HVAC sector is relatively straightforward if you start slow and steady and gradually build your reputation up over time with little financial investment. This helps to reduce the risk typically involved in starting up a new company; after all slow and steady wins the race, especially where small, local businesses are concerned.
The key to success in this arena is to only hire co-workers that you know are good at their job, professional and excellent communicators, this way you will build great relationships with clients and the reputation of your company will naturally excel in the local community, helping your business to thrive.
- Working for Government
Another great option is to seek employment with the federal or local government. To keep up to date with the latest HVAC job roles you can check official U.S. government websites, local authority websites, as well as the most popular job sites such as USA jobs. You can usually subscribe to an email list that will update you with the latest lists on a regular basis.
As well as traditional HVAC roles such as technicians, you will also discover many other roles that will view HVAC skills in a favourable light, such as Maintenance Mechanic roles and Air Conditioning Equipment Mechanic roles. Many HVAC technicians find their skills and experience easily transferred to other roles and greatly appreciated by employers, which is definitely reassuring for job seekers.
This post was written by Dave Miller an HVAC tech, who now dedicates himself to sharing his knowledge and experience on his blog. Dave has worked for over 20 years in the HVAC industry and for the last 5 has run his own contracting business. Dave can be found on Twitter with the handle @heattalkcom and you can also find him on Facebook.