Trade Schools
Employment for technicians and installers in the field of Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning is expected to grow by 5 percent from 2020 to 2030 in the United States with more than 38,000 new job openings expected to occur each year over the decade.
If you like to work with your hands, and you’re passionate about mechanics and troubleshooting, a career in this field can be a right fit for you.
Before being ready to apply for your first installer or technician job, you have to complete some specialized training and earn a license.
The HVAC trade can be learned through a post-secondary program or during high school through dual enrollment programs.
Apprenticeships are also available for those who want to earn a salary while combining classroom education with on-the-job training.
1NorthWest College of Construction
About the School
NorthWest College of Construction helps students start careers in the construction field.
The college administers apprenticeship training programs while following training standards and apprenticeship committees approved by the Oregon State Apprenticeship Training Council.
The programs are overseen by the Bureau of Labor and Industries.
NorthWest College of Construction uses a curriculum developed by the National Center for Construction Education and Research.
Courses Offered
The College provides four-year apprenticeships that combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction.
Students can prepare for trades such as Carpentry, Laborers, HVAC technicians, Sheet Metal, Sign Hangers, and other construction professions.
Apprentices are required to complete 144 hours of classroom training per year for four years and 8,000 hours of on-the-job training over the four years.
Apprenticeship applicants must be at least 18 years of age.
They also need a high school diploma or equivalent and have completed one year of high school algebra, Integrated Math 2 or equivalent post-secondary course with a grade of C or better, or equivalent scores on math placement tests.
Contact Information
- Address: 8111 NE Holman St. Portland, OR 97218
- Phone: 503.256.7300
- Website: https://nwcoc.com
2Cascadia Tech Academy
About the School
Located in Vancouver, Washington, Cascadia Tech Academy prepares students for careers in high-demand occupations.
Courses Offered
The school’s catalog covers a variety of career pathways.
The Construction Technology program available at Cascadia Tech Academy prepares students for entry-level positions in the industry.
The first year of training focuses on teaching students about safety, hand and power tool usage, construction mathematics, codes, and building plans.
During training students complete projects such as building a carpenter’s toolbox, designing building plans, building and shed, and more.
During the second year of study, students continue their safety training and learn about pneumatic tool usage, interpretation of engineering building plans, and construction mathematics.
Trainees also work with subcontractors on electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and roofing.
After completing the program, students receive three high school credits and a competency certificate.
Graduates are ready for apprenticeship opportunities in carpentry, plumbing, HVAC, concrete, and a variety of other fields.
Contact Information
- Address: 12200 NE 28th St. Vancouver, WA 98682
- Phone: 360.604.1050
- Website: https://www.cascadiatechnicalacademy.org
3VAContractorTraining
About the School
VAContractorTraining offers pre-license and continuing education programs for contractors and tradesmen.
Training is available for those who want to prepare for Virginia class A, B, and C contractor licenses.
Continuing education programs are also available for electricians, plumbers, HVAC techs, and gas fitters.
Classes are available fully online, so students can complete the training at their pace from any device with an internet connection.
Students get to save their progress and continue where they left off.
The school also provides classes for those who need a class C Contractor License or to fulfill continuing education requirements for an HVAC contractor license.
Courses Offered
The following HVAC-related course is available:
VA HVAC Update to 2018 MC- a class that fulfills three hours of continuing education requirements.
The course covers updates to the International Mechanical Code for the 2015-2018 code cycle.
The course is approved by the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation.
This course costs $39.
Contact Information
- Address: 1383 2nd Ave, Gold Hill, OR 97525
- Phone: (877) 724-6150
- Website: https://www.vacontractortraining.com
4Swan Island Trades Center
About the School
Swan Island Trades Center houses the Apprenticeship and Trades Department of the Portland Community College.
The center is a 20,000-square feet facility.
Two-year degrees, certificates, and apprenticeships are available at the center.
The center coordinates training, continuing education, and retraining programs in collaboration with Cascade Campus and the PCC’s CLIMB Center.
Courses Offered
An HVAC installer Certificate is available as part of the Facilities Maintenace pathway.
Students have access to lecture and lecture/lab classes that provide students with a strong foundation in general maintenance and work with heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration.
The school also offers an Employment Skills Training certificate-which is optional.
The curriculum covers topics on:
- Adjustable speed drives
- Boiler operation
- Communication
- Electrical concepts
- Preventive maintenance
- Water treatment
- And more
A Construction Trades, General Apprenticeship- an associate degree program is also available at the center.
Contact Information
- Address: 6400 N Cutter Circle, Portland, OR 97217
- Phone: 971-722-5650
- Website: https://www.pcc.edu
5Rogue Community College
About the School
Rogue Community College offers workforce training and apprenticeships that prepare students for rewarding careers in a variety of career paths.
Rogue Community College has been accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
Courses Offered
An apprenticeship in Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning is available at Rogue Community College.
The apprenticeship includes 8,000 hours of on-the-job training and 576 related classroom training hours.
This allows students to learn the ins and outs of this occupation by understanding the topics and concepts specific to the HVAC trade while also gaining related practice experience.
Students enrolled in this program learn about processes such as:
- Installation and service of HVAC/R equipment
- Piping, brazing, and soldering
- Limited energy installation
- Troubleshooting and maintenance
- And more
To qualify for admission, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Hold a high school diploma or GED
- Have completed one year of high school algebra/integrated math 2 or equivalent post-secondary class with a grade of C or better
Contact Information
- Address: 3345 Redwood Hwy. Grants Pass, OR 97527
- Phone: 541-956-7500
- Website: https://www.roguecc.edu
6Linn-Benton Community College
About the School
Linn-Benton Community College offers flexible classes at its four campuses in Albany, Corvallis, Lebanon, and Sweet Home.
Total tuition and fees sum up to $147.36 per credit for Oregon residents.
Scholarships, grants, and financial aid are available for students who qualify.
Graduates can earn a two-year degree or choose to transfer to a four-year college.
Linn-Benton Community College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
Courses Offered
The College provides a Mechatronics educational pathway that covers the following degrees and certificates:
- Mechatronics or Industrial Automation Technology, Associate of Applied Science- this interdisciplinary program prepares students for careers as industrial automation technicians
- Industrial Building Mechanic and Green Technician Certificate- a one-year program that teaches students about energy efficiency, sustainability, maintenance, and troubleshooting
- Mechatronics: Industrial Refrigeration Career Pathway Certificate- a program that prepares students for careers in the industrial refrigeration industry.
Contact Information
- Address: 6500 Pacific Blvd. SW Albany, Oregon 97321
- Phone: 541-917-4999
- Website: https://www.linnbenton.edu
7Sheet Metal Institute
About the School
Sheet Metal Institute prepares students for work opportunities in the sheet metal industry.
These opportunities include Commercial HVAC, Architectural, Service and Refrigeration, Residential HVAC, Industrial, Testing, Adjusting, and Balancing.
The apprenticeships available combine classroom work with on-the-job training.
Apprentices work full-time and attend classes part-time at the school.
The programs are five-years long and include 8,000 on-the-job hours and 1,000 hands-on instruction that takes place in the classroom and lab.
Courses Offered
Two state-registered apprenticeships are available at the Sheet Metal Institute:
- Sheet metal workers
- Service Systems Technicians- HVAC-R with Limited Energy Technician Class B license
Sheet metal workers fabricate and install sheet metal, industrial duct work, HVAC systems, and other products.
Service Systems Technicians perform maintenance on HVAC equipment- including package units, chillers, air movers, and split systems.
The curriculum covers classes on HVAC installation and theory, HVAC service, brazing, architectural sheet metal, testing, and balancing, among many other topics.
Contact Information
- Address: 2379 NE 178th Ave Portland OR 97230
- Phone: (503) 257-1022
- Website: https://sheetmetalinstitute.org
8Central Oregon Community College
About the School
The oldest two-year college in Oregon, Central Oregon Community College offers educational services for residents in a 10,000-square-mile district.
Tuition for in-district students is $113 per credit hour for the 2022-2023 year.
Out-of-district in-state students pay $159 per credit hour.
Central Oregon Community College is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
Courses Offered
The College offers a wide range of career training opportunities, including one in Automotive Heating & AC Tech.
This program exposes students to hands-on learning experiences about automotive air conditioning and heating systems.
Among many HVAC-related topics, the curriculum also covers the Environmental Protection Agency’s recovery for refrigerant systems requirements.
This certificate program prepares students for the Automotive Service Excellence Certification in:
- Automotive Heating and Air Conditioning (A7)
- Electrical/Electronic Systems (A6)
- Maintenance and Light Repair (G1)
The curriculum covers topics on:
- Basic Electricity for Automotive
- Automotive Electric
- Mechanical Systems
- Automotive Air Conditioning
- And more
In total, the certificate requires 19 credits for graduation.
Contact Information
- Address: 2600 N.W. College Way, Bend, Oregon 97703
- Phone: 541-383-7700
- Website: https://www.cocc.edu
9Oregon Tech
About the School
Oregon Tech offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in engineering, health, business, as well as applied arts and sciences.
High school dual credit is available.
The dual-credit program allows high school students to gain college credit for a fraction of the cost by taking classes taught by high school instructors that have partnered with Oregon Tech.
An Engineering Co-Op program is also available for students who want to combine classroom learning with two six-month internships with the college’s business partners.
Courses Offered
Programs are available in Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Embedded Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and many other fields.
Mechanical Engineering students learn the Fundamentals of Mechanical Engineering, CAD, CAM, CAE, Solid Mechanics, and Thermofluids Systems, among other topics.
An HVAC/Heat Transfer lab is located in the college.
This is where students learn about different types of thermodynamic systems and the properties of Heat, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning.
Contact Information
- Address: 3201 Campus Drive, Klamath Falls, OR 97601
- Phone: 800.422.2017
- Website: https://www.oit.edu
10UA 290
About the School
UA Local 290 Apprentice & Journeyman Training Institute prepares students for careers in plumbing, steam fitting, and the HVAC/R industry.
Apprenticeships and journeyman training programs are available.
Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction.
During the apprenticeship, trainees earn a wage that starts at 40 percent of the Journeyman’s salary.
As they complete training and learn to perform more complex tasks, apprentices receive pay increases.
The apprenticeship includes 8,000 hours of on-the-job training and 1,080 school hours in total.
After completing these education requirements and passing the UA STAR exam, apprentices are ready to sit for the state exams.
When all licenses are obtained, the apprentice receives the journeyman status.
Courses Offered
Apprenticeships are available in the following fields:
- Commercial Construction
- Gas/Air/Water/Medical Gas Piping Systems
- Hydronic Heating
- HVACR Service
- Hydraulic Piping and Systems
- High Purity Piping Systems
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 20210 SW Teton Ave, Tualatin, OR 97062
- Phone: (503) 691-5700
- Website: https://ua290.org
Regional Salary in Oregon
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albany, OR | 140 | $61,330 | $29.49 | $78,880 | $39,310 |
| Bend-Redmond, OR | 360 | $60,480 | $29.08 | $79,060 | $40,950 |
| Corvallis, OR | 30 | $64,990 | $31.24 | $93,720 | $39,360 |
| Eugene, OR | 310 | $60,290 | $28.98 | $78,690 | $38,990 |
| Grants Pass, OR | 70 | $51,060 | $24.55 | $72,770 | $36,050 |
| Medford, OR | 180 | $63,920 | $30.73 | $85,480 | $44,630 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | 2,600 | $67,510 | $32.46 | $99,950 | $44,850 |
| Salem, OR | 500 | $61,970 | $29.79 | $81,160 | $39,970 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Final Thoughts
Now that you have read our list of top HVAC schools in Oregon, it’s time to continue the research and gather all the information that will help you make an informed decision about your future career.
This is an important step, so we encourage you to be thorough and consider all your options.
