Great Oaks Adult Career Training Program Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Questions and Answers

Q: Who should take this course?

This program is for any adult learner who has a high school diploma or GED and passes the entrance examination. Successful students enjoy working with their hands, are detail oriented, and excel at interacting with equipment and tools.

Q: What are the classroom hours and days?

The class meets from 4:30pm until 10:30 PM, Monday through Thursday. The program runs from late August through late June. Occasional Friday classes are available for getting extra help or making up missed hours.

Q: Are there scheduled breaks throughout the year?

Great Oaks adult programs will follow the typical national holidays and breaks as most public schools would.

Q: Why is the attendance policy so strict?

This is an intensive course, wherein attending every hour is critical to obtain the required information. The goal of this course is prepare a student for the industry, which will have similar or stricter attendance policies.

Q: What happens if I fall below 95% attendance and I cannot make up the time I missed?
Students are fall below 95% attendance are withdrawn from the course.

Q: What will I learn?

Basic electrical training. Service, maintenance, and troubleshooting of: o Gas furnaces o Oil furnaces o Electric furnaces o Hot water boilers o Steam boilers o Heat pumps o Air conditioners o Refrigeration o Humidifiers o Electronic air cleaners o UV light systems Basic duct fabrication, assembly, and proper sizing. Pipe assembly o Copper o Plastic o Steel Load calculations

Plus so much more

Q: What certifications will I get while taking this course?

US EPA section 608 certification- Training provided to obtain Universal certification. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Outreach- 10 hour construction safety awareness American Heart Saver- Cardio-pulmonary-resuscitation and Automatic Electronic defibrillator BobCat Enterprises- Aerial Lift- Elevated Platform lift and Articulating boom lift Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute- Training provided to obtain the residential Industry Competency Exam (ICE)

Q: Will I receive college credit for taking this course?

A student has the ability to receive credit hours through Cincinnati State College for their Associates Degree in Building Technologies. To receive credit hours a student must attend classes at Cincinnati State or purchase the credits. The number of credit hours a student will receive will depend on how much a student completes and which certifications are obtained.

Q: Does Great Oaks have any affiliation with the local unions?
While Great Oaks has relationships with the training coordinators of the local union for sheet metal, mechanical, and pipefitting unions, we do not serve as training organizations for those organizations. However, Great Oaks is affiliated with Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC). Completion of our curriculum can potentially give a student advanced years in apprentice training for contractors who use the ABC apprenticeship program.

Q: What curriculum is used in the program?

Great Oaks follows the adopted State of Ohio curricula (subject code 170100, CTPD 044). To deliver the curriculum Great Oaks will utilize the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER). This is an accredited curriculum which is used nationally to meet state HVAC curriculum standards.

Q: How much time do we spend doing hands-on learning versus classroom learning?
Great Oaks realizes that most students who are interested in a technical education enjoy learning with their hands. Despite this fact there is a significant period of seat time required for this course. In the beginning of the course it may be as much as 90% classroom. Toward the latter parts of the year it may be as much as 90% lab.

Q: What are the barriers to employment in HVAC?

Students should be drug-free and have no more than 4 points on their valid drivers license, a criminal history that is free of ANY felonies and/or misdemeanors that involve theft or drug usage. Visible tattoos and smoking may limit your employability as well, depending on the particular employer.

Q: What attributes makes the ideal HVAC employee or student?

Well dressed and well spoken Short hair with well-groomed or no facial hair Superior customer service skills with the ability to sell items Mechanically inclined and hard-working

Excellent dexterity Strong back and good knees Ability to lift 75+lbs Ability to climb ladders without a fear of heights Ability to work in extreme conditions of high and low temperatures and humidity Free of allergies Heightened vision, hearing, touch, and sense of smell Honest, trustworthy, and highly self-motivated Ability to work independently, and in small groups Excellent attitude and ability to deal with uncomfortable and irate customers Ability to communicate with a highly regionally and culturally diverse population Ability to take and give direction Ability to perform long sequential orders of operation

Q: Will Great Oaks help me get a Job?

Great Oaks associates will assist with job placement. This means that as employers come to Great Oaks looking for potential employees, we will match the student that best fits the requirements of the employer. Great Oaks will assist in resume preparation and serve as references upon request. Great Oaks does not guarantee employment as a result of completion of a course. A student must prove to an instructor that they are competent to do the work that is expected of them before a recommendation for employment is made.

Q: Does Great Oaks have a CO-OP program?

After a student has completed 600 hours of class, a student becomes eligible for the CO-OP program. A student must get permission to begin the CO-OP program and must be working for a HVAC company to be eligible. The instructor must be given employer contact information so that they can verify that a student worked for that employer on any given day. See instructor for further details.

Q: What classroom supplies are necessary?

A student will need the following: At least 3 2.5 three ring binders Notebook paper for taking notes; loose leaf recommended Pencils or pens. Colored pencils are recommended but not a necessity Calculators and rulers will be provided on loan during the class, but must be returned at the end of the class day.

Q: Will I need additional education before I seek a position?

Many students will secure a position even before they graduate the program.

Q: Will I be able to start my own HVAC company in the state of Ohio after completion of this program?
While it is not recommended, as long as a student meets local, state, and federal requirements, a student may start a residential HVAC company. Commercial and Industrial companies would require a minimum of 5 years of work experience and completion of Ohio State Contractors Licensure Process.

Q: Can I do commercial HVAC work in Ohio without having a contractors license?

As long as a student works for a licensed contractor a student may do commercial work.

Q: How much income can I expect to make after I complete the course?
Most students can expect their starting salary to be between $10 and $14 per hour. After a probationary period, typically income will increase.

Q: Are there books or tools needed for the course?

There is a book and tool package that is required. Students are required to have the correct books and tools, but are not required to purchase those books and tools through Great Oaks. Great Oaks purchases books and tools for less than retail price and passes those discounts to their students. Great Oaks does not profit from the sale of books or tools.

Q: What clothing is needed for the course?

While working in the lab a student must wear jeans. (no sweat-pants or shorts are permitted) Shirts must have sleeves. (No tank tops or shirts with sleeves cut off) Shoes must be rubber sole non- marking, non-skid. Shoes must not be open toe. (I.e. no sandals or flip-flops)