Trade Schools
If you live in Lousiana and you want to start a career in the field of Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning, this page is for you.
Louisiana is home to many trade schools and community colleges that can prepare you for a career in the HVAC field.
Some post-secondary programs are less than one year long, while apprenticeships take more than four hours to complete.
We invite you to read our list and find out more about the programs available in your region.
1Ayers Career College
About the School
Ayers Career College offers vocational training that prepares students for careers in the HVAC field, Information Technology, Medical Assisting, and other in-demand fields.
The college has been preparing students for in-demand careers since 1953, making it one of the oldest Shreveport career colleges today.
Applicants must be at least 18 years of age and they need a high school diploma or equivalent recognized by the state.
Those who apply for the Heating/AC/Refrigeration program must meet a score of at least 15 on the Wonderlic Scholastic Level Exam.
Financial Aid is available for students who qualify.
The College’s Career Service Officers offer job placement services for graduates.
Courses Offered
Its HVAC training program includes hands-on instruction in the fields of heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration.
The curriculum is designed to provide students with entry-level knowledge and skills.
This program is taught for 36 weeks in the daytime schedule and 60 weeks in the evening schedule.
The curriculum covers Type I, II, III, and EPA testing, fundamentals of heating and cooling systems, evaporators, refrigeration appliances, and many other related topics.
Contact Information
- Address: 8820 Jewella Avenue, Shreveport, Louisiana 71108
- Phone: 318-515-0535
- Website: https://ayers.edu
2Northwest Louisiana Technical Community College
About the School
Northwest Louisiana Technical Community College offers degree, certificate, and diploma programs that prepare students for rewarding careers in a variety of industries.
Tuition is $133.93 for the summer 2022 semester.
Northwest Louisiana Technical Community College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of the Council on Occupational Education.
Its catalog includes an HVAC Technician program.
This program combines specialized classroom instruction with practical shop experience and prepares students for a variety of jobs in the field of heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration.
Students learn how to install, diagnose, repair, and maintain domestic, residential, and commercial systems.
Courses Offered
The HVAC program curriculum includes classes such as:
- Industrial workplace safety
- Introduction to HVAC
- Principles of Refrigeration
- Fundamentals of Electricity
- Residential Heating
- Residential System Troubleshooting
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 943 Oxford Road, Mansfield, LA 71052
- Phone: (318) 872-2243
- Website: https://www.nltcc.edu
3ITI Technical College
About the School
ITI Technical College prepares students for technical careers in a variety of fields.
The college’s catalog includes associate degree and certificate programs designed to prepare students for a better life.
Financial aid is available for qualifying students.
Courses Offered
There are two HVAC-related programs available:
- Air Conditioning, Refrigeration, and Electrical Technology Associate in Occupational Studies Degree
- Air Conditioning and Electrical Technology- Certificate
These accelerated programs teach students concepts and practices related to Refrigeration, Air Conditioning, and Heating equipment.
The programs also cover the Electrical Technology needed when working in this field.
The curriculum covers AC load calculations, application, and troubleshooting of systems through lectures and laboratory activities.
HVAC certification exams are also given during the program and allow students to earn industry credentials and competencies.
Contact Information
- Address: 13944 Airline Highway, Baton Rouge, LA 70817
- Phone: (877) 591-1070
- Website: https://iticollege.edu
4Fletcher Technical Community College
About the School
The Air Conditioning and Refrigeration program offered by Fletcher Technical Community College prepares students for employment in a variety of heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration jobs through classroom instruction and shop experience.
Students enrolled in this program learn how to install, diagnose, repair, and maintain equipment that can be found in domestic, residential, or commercial settings.
This program is accredited by the Committee on HVAC Excellence.
Resident tuition is $133.92 per credit hour.
Financial assistance is available from a variety of sources for students who qualify.
Applicants must be at least 17 years of age before admission.
Non-high school graduates who are at least 17 years of age are eligible for admission.
Courses Offered
This program includes courses such as:
- HVAC Introduction
- Principles of Refrigeration
- Electrical Fundamentals
- Residential Central Air Conditioning
- Residential Heating
- Domestic Refrigeration
- And more
This program includes 1,695 hours of training in total and awards 45 credit hours.
Contact Information
- Address: 1407 Highway 311, Schriever LA 70395 (Main Campus)
- Phone: 985.448.7900
- Website: https://www.fletcher.edu
5Northshore Technical Community College
About the School
Northshore Technical Community College offers an Air Conditioning and Refrigeration program that prepares students for entry-level employment as air conditioning and refrigeration technicians.
This program teaches students how to:
- Use pressure and temperature measurements to evaluate system performance
- Interpret technical drawings
- Analyze system performance and present results
- Detect faults in an operational system
- Commit to high standards of professionalism
This program is offered at the following sites: Hammond Area, Lacombe, and Sullivan.
Northshore Technical Community College is a member of the Louisiana Community and Technical College System and accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Courses Offered
The following courses are included in the Diploma program:
- HVAC Introduction
- Principles of Refrigeration
- Electrical Fundamentals
- Electrical Components
- Electric Motors
- And more
In total, students need 24 total hours towards completion of the Technical Diploma.
The following Certificate of Technical Studies that include 21 hours are also available:
- CTS in Commercial A/C
- CTS in Commercial Refrigeration
- CTS in Residential
Contact Information
- Address: 111 Pride Drive, Hammond, LA 70401
- Phone: 985-545-1500
- Website: https://www.northshorecollege.edu
6Blue Cliff College
About the School
Blue Cliff College prepares students for entry-level employment in a variety of fields.
The College prepares students for the Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning fields by equipping them with advanced knowledge and practical skills.
The Diploma program available at Blue Cliff’s Lafayette campus teaches students how to inspect, repair, and maintain HVAC systems.
Trainees also learn how to connect systems to supply lines, air ducts, and other components.
Students who attend day classes during the day can graduate in nine months while evening students need twelve months to graduate.
Graduates receive a Diploma in Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning and are ready to take an exam for technician certification, the Environmental Protection Agency EPA Clean Air Act, Section 608, and Type I Certification Exam.
Tuition for the HVAC Technician Diploma program is $14,778.
Additional costs for supplies and fees sum up to $1,550.
Applicants need proof of high school completion or equivalent.
A personal interview with an Admission Representative or Campus Director is also part of the enrollment process.
Blue Cliff College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission Career Schools and Colleges- an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Contact Information
- Address: 120 James Comeaux Road, Lafayette, LA 70508
- Phone: (337) 269-0620
- Website: https://www.bluecliffcollege.edu
7Fortis College
About the School
Fortis College provides education and training in healthcare and technology fields.
The College provides a Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration program that prepares students for careers as installers/mechanics.
Students learn computerized diagnostics in commercial refrigeration, gas heat, air conditioning, and heat pumps.
The Baton Rouge campus is located a short drive from Baker, Central City, and Denham Springs.
In most cases, applicants need a high school diploma or equivalent for admission.
Applicants also need to complete a personal information sheet.
A personal interview with admission staff helps students review their career goals and find the right program for their needs.
Potential students also have the opportunity to tour the facility, meet with Financial Aid and enroll in the next available classes.
Fortis College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges.
Tuition is $17,636 for the HVACR program.
Additional costs include a $100 enrollment fee, $72 for uniform, $686 for a student kit, $25 for the Certification exam, and $477 for textbooks.
Financial aid is available for qualifying students.
Contact Information
- Address: 14111 Airline Hwy. Baton Rouge, LA, 70817
- Phone: 855-436-7847
- Website: https://www.fortis.edu
8South Louisiana Community College
About the School
South Louisiana Community College offers a variety of training programs that prepare students for careers in a variety of fields.
Tuition is $133.93 per credit for the 2021-2022 school year.
South Louisiana Community College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate degrees.
Courses Offered
The college’s catalog includes an Associate of Applied Science in Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration and a Technical Diploma in the field.
Students receive specialized classroom instruction and practical shop experience and become prepared for a variety of jobs in this industry.
A short-term non-credit program in the field of Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration is also available.
This program prepares students for a career in the field in less than eight months.
Day or night classes are available at the College’s T.H. Harris campus.
Students take classes such in:
- HVACR Theory- this course covers the basics of electricity and electrical systems and the fundamentals of air conditioning and refrigeration
- HVACR Residential Training- this program includes EPA Certification 608 and EPA Certification Testing as well as Residential HVACR Technology
- HVACR Commercial Training- HVACR Commercial Technology, HVACR Internship, or NCCER Core
Contact Information
- Address: 1101 Bertrand Drive, Lafayette, LA 70506
- Phone: 337.521.9000
- Website: https://www.solacc.edu
9Central Louisiana Technical Community College
About the School
Central Louisiana Technical Community College offers an Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technology that combines classroom training with shop experience.
Students enrolled in this program learn how to install, repair, and maintain systems in residential and commercial settings.
To graduate from this program, trainees need a 2.0-grade point average.
The program costs $2,133 per semester.
The curriculum is designed to be completed in two years and will cost $8,532 in total if completed within normal time.
This program is accredited by HVAC excellence- a credential that validates that certain excellence standards are met.
The HVAC program is available at the college’s main campus in Alexandria and at eight other campuses, including Ferriday, Sabine Valley, and Ward H. Nash Avoyelles.
The main campus of Central Louisiana Technical Community College has eight buildings and covers more than 19 acres of land.
This campus provides career and technical education programs, general education courses, as well as dual enrollment for high school students, adult basic education, and workforce development.
Contact Information
- Address: 516 Murray Street, Alexandria, LA 71301
- Phone: 318.487.5443
- Website: https://www.cltcc.edu
10River Parishes Community College
About the School
River Parishes Community College offers customized programs and non-credit short-term courses through its Workforce Development Division.
Many of the programs allow individuals to earn industry-based certifications in their area of study.
Courses Offered
River Parishes Community College offers programs in a variety of fields through its applied sciences division, including HVAC, Industrial Maintenance, Process Technology, Instrumentation, Electrical Technology, and Drafting and Design.
Dual Enrollment is also available and allows high school students to earn high school and college credits simultaneously.
These programs can lead to a variety of credentials, including Technical Diplomas, Associate of Applied Science Degree, and Associate Degrees.
The College has four campuses: Gonzales, Reserve, St. Charles, and Westside.
River Parishes Community College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate degrees.
Contact Information
- Address: 925 W. Edenborne Parkway, Gonzales, LA. 70737
- Phone: 985-536-4418
- Website: https://www.rpcc.edu
Regional Salary in Louisiana
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexandria, LA | 160 | $49,340 | $23.72 | $66,780 | $32,680 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | 1,000 | $55,360 | $26.62 | $73,670 | $36,950 |
| Hammond, LA | 130 | $46,800 | $22.5 | $58,240 | $35,770 |
| Houma-Thibodaux, LA | 320 | $63,820 | $30.68 | $102,850 | $36,830 |
| Lafayette, LA | 460 | $51,480 | $24.75 | $67,540 | $35,760 |
| Lake Charles, LA | 220 | $56,110 | $26.98 | $78,380 | $36,820 |
| Monroe, LA | 130 | $48,490 | $23.31 | $60,820 | $32,780 |
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | 1,490 | $55,790 | $26.82 | $73,700 | $38,080 |
| Shreveport-Bossier City, LA | 380 | $53,450 | $25.7 | $72,120 | $36,380 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Final Thoughts
If you’re passionate about mechanics and you want to start a rewarding career in the Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning field, we encourage you to use the information in our list as a starting point in your research for the training program that best meets your needs.
Take your time a consider all your options before deciding where to apply.
