HVAC Technician at Iowa Pipe Trades and HVAC Training Institute
at Iowa Pipe Trades and HVAC Training Institute in Des Moines, IA
About This Program
The Iowa Pipe Trades and HVAC Training Institute sponsors a registered HVAC Technician apprenticeship in Des Moines, Iowa. This non-union, employer-sponsored program is designed to develop well-rounded HVAC professionals through a structured combination of paid field training and formal technical instruction over a four-year period.
The program includes 8,000 hours of on-the-job training and 576 hours of related technical instruction. Apprentices gain experience across heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and pipe trade fundamentals, working on real systems in residential and commercial environments. Classroom instruction addresses refrigeration theory, mechanical systems, electrical controls, system design, energy efficiency standards, and EPA refrigerant compliance.
Graduates of this apprenticeship are equipped for journey-level HVAC work. The institute's focus on both pipe trades and HVAC gives completers a strong cross-disciplinary background, supporting career advancement and long-term employment prospects throughout central Iowa and the broader skilled trades industry.
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.
How to Apply
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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