HVAC Technician at Arco Refrigeration Company Incorporated
at Arco Refrigeration Company Incorporated in St Charles, MO
About This Program
ARCO Refrigeration Company Incorporated, located in St. Charles, MO, sponsors this registered non-union HVAC Technician apprenticeship. Apprentices are paid throughout training and work alongside experienced technicians to build real-world competency in heating, cooling, ventilation, and refrigeration systems.
The program spans four years and requires 8,000 hours of on-the-job training plus 576 hours of related technical instruction. Training covers refrigeration fundamentals, electrical theory and wiring, system installation and startup, diagnostics and troubleshooting, preventive maintenance, and refrigerant handling under EPA guidelines. Classroom coursework complements daily field experience.
Upon program completion, apprentices earn journey-level status as HVAC technicians. With experience in both refrigeration and HVAC systems, graduates from ARCO's program are well-positioned for careers serving commercial and industrial clients. The structured apprenticeship model ensures a thorough, employer-verified skill set upon graduation.
Wage & Training
Journeyman Wage
$26
OJT Hours
8,000
RTI Hours
576
Duration
4 years
Wage data is the national median for this occupation (BLS, May 2023), not specific to this program.
HVAC Technician Career Outlook
National Median
$25.95/hr
~$53,976/yr
Apprentice Start
$16/hr
Earn while you learn
Job Outlook
HVAC technician employment is projected to grow faster than average, driven by new construction, system replacements, and the transition to energy-efficient and environmentally friendly equipment. The push toward heat pumps and smart building systems is creating new specialization opportunities. Experienced technicians with strong troubleshooting skills are in high demand across all regions.
What to Expect as a HVAC Technician Apprentice
Duration
4 years of combined on-the-job training and classroom instruction
On-the-Job Training
~40 hours/week of hands-on work under journeyman supervision (8,000 total hours)
Classroom Instruction
576 hours of related technical instruction (~144 hours/year)
Paid Training
You earn a wage from day one, starting at a percentage of the journeyman rate and increasing as you progress
Time-based program: You'll progress through the program based on completing a set number of hours in both on-the-job training and classroom instruction.
Trade School vs. Apprenticeship for HVAC Technician
Apprenticeship
Trade School
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