HVAC Technician at Poormans Heating and Air
at Poormans Heating and Air in Fort Wayne, IN
About This Program
Poormans Heating and Air, an employer-sponsored non-union program based in Fort Wayne, Indiana, offers a registered HVAC Technician apprenticeship. Apprentices earn wages throughout the program, learning the HVAC trade through daily field experience with one of northeast Indiana's established heating and cooling companies.
The four-year apprenticeship includes 8,000 hours of on-the-job training and 576 hours of related technical instruction. Apprentices gain practical skills in HVAC system installation and servicing, heating and cooling equipment diagnostics, refrigerant handling and recovery, electrical control systems, and compliance with Indiana codes and safety standards across residential and commercial projects.
Graduates complete the program as journey-level HVAC technicians. Fort Wayne is Indiana's second-largest city, offering a robust and diverse market for HVAC services — meaning graduates enter the workforce in a region where their skills are in genuine and lasting demand.
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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