Herzing Skilled Trades

If you want to become a certified HVAC technician, getting an HVAC apprenticeship is your first step. HVAC technician is a regulated trade in Ontario, so completing an apprenticeship isn't optional.

It's part of a five-year process of classroom training and on-the-job learning that prepares you for certification.

You need a total of 8,280 apprenticeship hours before you can challenge the exam and become a certified journeyperson in the trade. The good news? Apprentices get paid, so you can earn while you learn.

But competing for good HVAC apprenticeship jobs isn't easy. How do you get an edge?

Updated December 2022

If you've landed here, you're considering becoming an HVAC technician and want to explore training options in your area.

By now, you've probably realized there are many HVAC schools in the Toronto area. There are certificates, courses, diplomas, pre-apprenticeship programs, online options, and more.

How do these programs differ? What exactly should you be looking for in a quality HVAC college? 

Good questions. When you consider the time and money you'll need to invest, it's worth doing the research.

Plus, getting a good foundation in training is obviously key to landing a good job (which is the whole point of going to school).

So, in this post we're laying out the seven most important qualities of a good HVAC college. These are the features to notice when you're comparing schools and choosing where to enrol.

No matter which HVAC college you end up choosing, make sure it meets these clear standards of quality and excellence.

Updated January 2024

Thinking about enrolling in an HVAC program this year? Ontario has solid job growth in HVAC right now, so you're on the right track in terms of career opportunities.

But what else should you know up front before you invest in training?

For example, is your goal to become a certified HVAC technician? If so, you'll need to land an apprenticeship, complete mandatory courses, and take a certification exam.

You will also need your gas technician licence. You won't get far in HVAC without it!

Updated December 2023

If you look at skilled trade forums and discussion groups online, you'll often see debate over HVAC and electrician—and which career path is better. It's not that one trade is actually superior to the other. It's more that they're both very popular...so students often have a hard time deciding which path to pursue.

In this post, we're breaking down the benefits of both trades. To help you make a smart decision, we'll look at training, key skills, job outlook, and typical pros and cons of HVAC and electrician work.

In the end, it will come down to which field you're more passionate about. But we're hoping this information helps clarify a few things. Let's get started.

Updated December 2022

This is an excellent time to become an HVAC mechanic in Ontario. The latest career outlook report from the Government of Canada Job Bank shows strong demand for HVAC mechanics and technicians across the province. Several regions, including the Hamilton-Niagara Peninsula and the Stratford-Bruce Peninsula, get a full five-star rating for outlook and growth.

So, if you're considering becoming an HVAC mechanic, and want to jump in while the trade is hot, what steps should you take?

Updated January 2024

Why should you choose an HVAC career above all other trades?

Well, for starters, you're probably genuinely interested in the kind of work HVAC mechanics do.

This trade involves challenging diagnostics and problem-solving, technical installation and maintenance skills, and deep heating/cooling product knowledge.

HVAC mechanics play a vital role in our everyday lives. Where would we be without warm homes during the brutal Ontario winters? And cool spaces to retreat to during our short but notoriously intense summers?

Quality HVAC systems keep our air fresh indoors, help sanitize our hospitals, and even help preserve our natural environment.

And of course, cooling technology is essential for the food industry, where reliable refrigeration is the backbone of safe storage and shipping.

From homes to public buildings to businesses to factories—HVAC mechanics have a key part to play across many sectors of the Canadian economy.

So, what else should motivate you to seize the day and start an HVAC career this year? Take a look at four big advantages to making this trade your own.

HVAC technicians monitor the refrigeration weight and pressure of a chiller in order to correctly recharge the unit (Source: Flikr)

If a client calls complaining about an air conditioner or heat pump not working properly, a refrigerant leak is one possible source of the problem.

Not only do refrigerant leaks impair system performance, waste money, and hurt the environment, they're also poisonous to humans.

Photo: An HVAC technician checks the temperature gauges on an a/c unit (image source: KOMUnews)

Updated December 2022

Are you considering becoming an HVAC technician? Your first step is to find a well-respected training program that will help you get hired as an apprentice.

Before you can challenge the certification exam, you must complete an apprenticeship. HVAC companies don't usually hire apprentices right off the street, so you'll need some sharp skills to get your foot in the door.

What skills do employers look for?

In this post, we break down the skills and qualities that matter most to HVAC employers.

You will start building these skills in pre-apprenticeship HVAC training, and continue honing them throughout your HVAC career.