HVAC Technician at Graber Heating & Air Conditioning Inc (PHCC)

Time-BasedRegistered ApprenticeshipPaid Training

at Graber Heating & Air Conditioning Inc (PHCC) in Kalona, IA

About This Program

Graber Heating & Air Conditioning Inc (PHCC) sponsors a registered HVAC Technician apprenticeship in Kalona, Iowa. Affiliated with the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association, this non-union, employer-sponsored program offers a paid and structured training experience for those ready to enter the heating and cooling trade in rural southeast Iowa.

The program is four years in length and combines 8,000 hours of on-the-job training with 576 hours of related technical instruction. Apprentices work directly in the field, learning to install, service, and maintain residential and commercial HVAC systems. Technical coursework includes refrigeration cycles, electrical wiring and controls, heating systems, system troubleshooting, indoor air quality, and EPA-compliant refrigerant handling.

Upon completion, apprentices are equipped for journey-level HVAC work. Graber Heating & Air Conditioning's PHCC affiliation reflects a commitment to industry best practices, and graduates enter the workforce with the technical knowledge and field experience employers value.

Wage & Training

Journeyman Wage

$26

BLS 2023

OJT Hours

8,000

Apprenticeship.gov 2025

RTI Hours

576

Apprenticeship.gov 2025

Duration

4 years

Apprenticeship.gov 2025

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

Cost$0 (earn while you learn)
Duration4 years
Starting wage$16.00/hr
Journeyman wage$25.95/hr
CredentialJourneyman card

Trade School

Cost$5,000–$20,000+
Duration6–24 months
Starting wageEntry-level
ExperienceHands-on labs
CredentialCertificate / diploma

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