HVAC Technician at Burkholder's Heating & Air Conditioning
at Burkholder's Heating & Air Conditioning in Emmaus, PA
About This Program
Burkholder's Heating & Air Conditioning sponsors this registered HVAC Technician Apprenticeship in Emmaus, PA. This non-union program is a structured, paid training opportunity for individuals in the Lehigh Valley area who are ready to pursue a career in the HVAC trade. Apprentices are compensated from their first day on the job as they work toward journey-level skills and qualifications.
The program spans four years and includes 8,000 hours of on-the-job training along with 576 hours of related technical instruction. Apprentices learn alongside Burkholder's experienced technicians, working on residential and commercial heating and air conditioning systems. Technical instruction addresses refrigeration principles, electrical systems, system installation and startup, indoor air quality, and regulatory requirements including EPA refrigerant handling certification.
Upon program completion, graduates are qualified to work as journey-level HVAC technicians. Burkholder's long-standing presence in the Lehigh Valley provides apprentices with meaningful field experience, and completers leave the program ready for a stable career serving the region's residential and commercial HVAC service needs.
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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