HVAC Technician at Arctic Refrigeration L.C.
at Arctic Refrigeration L.C. in Waterloo, IA
About This Program
Arctic Refrigeration L.C., located in Waterloo, Iowa, sponsors this non-union HVAC Technician apprenticeship. The program offers paid, structured training in heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration — fields where qualified technicians are in consistent demand across residential, commercial, and industrial sectors.
This four-year apprenticeship consists of 8,000 hours of on-the-job training and 576 hours of related technical instruction. Apprentices work alongside experienced technicians to develop skills in HVAC system installation, refrigeration system maintenance, electrical diagnostics, refrigerant handling, and regulatory compliance. The sponsor's refrigeration background may provide additional exposure to commercial cooling systems.
Upon completion, graduates are qualified as journey-level HVAC technicians. Working in the Waterloo market provides apprentices with access to a broad customer base, giving them diverse, practical experience that prepares them for a long career in the trade.
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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