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Nature of Work—Given the proper equipment, material and specifications, graduates of the program will be able to install, repair, service, modify, or adjust commercial or residential air conditioning and refrigeration units. Graduates employed as service representatives will work with the public in sales. Related Job Titles—Air conditioning installer, service representative, refrigeration technician and furnace installer
Employment Outlook—Job
prospects for heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and
installers are expected to be excellent, particularly for those with training
from an accredited technical school or with formal apprenticeship training, and
especially in the fastest growing areas of the country. A growing number of
retirements of highly skilled technicians are expected to generate many job
openings. In addition, employment of heating, air-conditioning, and
refrigeration mechanics and installers is projected to increase faster than
average for all occupations through the year 2018. Concern for the environment
has prompted the development of new energy-saving heating and air-conditioning
systems. An emphasis on better energy management should lead to the replacement
of older systems and the installation of newer, more efficient systems in
existing homes and buildings. Also, demand for maintenance and service work
should increase as businesses and homeowners strive to keep increasingly complex
systems operating at peak efficiency. Regulations prohibiting the discharge and
production of CFC and HCFC refrigerants should continue to result in the need to
replace many existing air conditioning systems or modify them to use new
environmentally safe refrigerants. The pace of replacement in the commercial and
industrial sectors will quicken if Congress or individual states cut the time
needed to fully depreciate the cost of new HVACR systems, which is being
considered. A growing focus on improving indoor air quality, as well as the
increasing use of refrigerated equipment by a growing number of stores and
gasoline stations that sell food, also should contribute to the creation of more
jobs for heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration technicians. Median hourly
earnings of heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and
installers were $19.08 in May 2008. The middle 50 percent earned between $14.94
and $24.84 an hour. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $12.19, and the top
10 percent earned more than $30.59. Median hourly earnings in the industries
employing the largest numbers of heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration
mechanics and installers in May 2008 were: Apprentices usually begin at about 50 percent of the wage rate paid to experienced workers. As they gain experience and improve their skills, they receive periodic increases until they reach the wage rate of experienced workers. Source: U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics 2010-2011. For job listings and job search assistance, contact the Job Resource Center, S202, (708) 974-5737, www.morainevalley.edu/jrc. |
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In
Moraine Valley Community College's Air Conditioning Program, the student will
learn how to install, adjust and maintain air conditioning systems in homes and
buildings. This certificate program requires fewer credit hours to complete than
an associate's degree. The program is intended to lead to employment. If you are
considering transferring to a four-year college or university to obtain a
bachelor's degree using the courses from this program, make an appointment with
an academic advisor to review your options.
