HVAC Technician at Sandegrens Heating & Air Conditioning

Time-BasedRegistered ApprenticeshipPaid Training

at Sandegrens Heating & Air Conditioning in Ottumwa, IA

About This Program

Sandegrens Heating & Air Conditioning sponsors a registered HVAC Technician apprenticeship in Ottumwa, Iowa. This non-union, employer-sponsored program provides a paid, structured route into the HVAC trade, giving apprentices the opportunity to develop practical skills while earning a wage throughout their training.

Over four years, the program delivers 8,000 hours of on-the-job training and 576 hours of related technical instruction. Apprentices work on heating and cooling systems in residential and commercial settings, learning installation, maintenance, and diagnostic procedures firsthand. Technical instruction covers refrigeration fundamentals, electrical systems and controls, heating equipment, system efficiency, and EPA refrigerant certification requirements.

Graduates are prepared to work as journey-level HVAC technicians in south-central Iowa and the surrounding region. The hands-on nature of this apprenticeship, combined with formal technical education, gives completers a strong foundation for a stable, in-demand career in the skilled trades.

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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