HVAC Technician at Area III Sheet Mtl/Hvac Env Sys JATC
at Area III Sheet Mtl/Hvac Env Sys JATC in Grants Pass, OR
About This Program
The Area III Sheet Metal/HVAC Environmental Systems JATC sponsors this registered HVAC Technician Apprenticeship in Grants Pass, OR. This union-affiliated Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee program combines sheet metal fabrication skills with comprehensive HVAC training, reflecting the interconnected nature of these trades in commercial and industrial construction. Apprentices are paid throughout the program, with wages that increase as skills advance.
The apprenticeship lasts four years and includes 8,000 hours of on-the-job training along with 576 hours of related technical instruction. Apprentices work on HVAC system installation and service while also developing sheet metal skills used in duct fabrication and building environmental systems. Technical instruction covers topics such as refrigeration, electrical systems, architectural and mechanical drawings, welding, and applicable codes and standards.
Graduates earn journey-level standing in the HVAC and sheet metal trade. The JATC affiliation provides access to union wages and benefits, and the combined skill set in HVAC and sheet metal gives completers strong employability with union contractors throughout the Grants Pass area and southwestern Oregon.
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.
This is a union-affiliated program. Union apprenticeships typically offer strong benefits packages, pension contributions, and structured career advancement through the local hall.
Trade School vs. Apprenticeship for HVAC Technician
Apprenticeship
Trade School
Licensing in Oregon
HVAC Technicians in Oregon are required to hold a license. Licensing is issued by Oregon Building Codes Division – Mechanical Program.
View full Oregonlicensing requirements →Reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to share your experience!
See something wrong? Help us improve this page.