Career FAQs

Occupational outlook. Are employers hiring for jobs in this area?
Absolutely! In fact, companies often recruit students directly from our classes. Some students take on positions and continue their schooling on a part-time basis. There is a huge shortage of workers in this field, and the shortage increases every year. We have a 98% placement rate for our students, so any student who applies him or herself will be able to find work.

Technology background. Can I pursue a career in HVACR without a background in technology?
A background in technology is not necessary to enter this field, although ideally you should have basic computer and tool identification skills when you begin the program. Once you are enrolled in the program, you will learn the basic technology skills you need to succeed in an entry-level position in HVACR. El Camino has many resources for women entering this field through its Women in Industry and Technology (WIT) program.

Accessibility for women. Isn’t HVACR a tough field for women to break into?
There is a new openness toward women in the field of HVACR. Much of the equipment involved is computer-driven, making it more attractive to women, and heavy lifting is done by cranes and other lifting tools. Also, many workers in this field are retiring, leading to a high demand for trained workers.

In addition, women who enroll in the HVACR program at El Camino are eligible for a wide array of services, including child care, counseling, peer support groups, tutoring, internships, industry tours, educational speakers, and job placement assistance, all of which can smooth your way into the field. Networking and mentoring opportunities are also available.

Receptivity to hiring women. Will employers hire women into male-dominated technology areas such as HVACR?
Yes, definitely! Recruiters seek out our male and female students even before they graduate. Women have proved themselves to be fully capable of performing the varied jobs in the HVACR field. We work with an HVACR Advisory Board which also provides our students with assistance on job interviewing and preparing for work.

The Business Training Center at El Camino College also works directly with employers to help them identify and hire qualified students applicants through its Career Readiness Certificate program.

Jobs available. What kinds of jobs can I get with a certificate and with an A.S. degree?
Graduates of a certificate program can expect to find entry-level work in jobs such as a maintenance engineer or filter changer at $8 to $15 per hour. The greater the level of your certification, the higher your starting salary will be.

Graduates with an A.S. degree can enter the HVACR industry in entry level jobs as a sales person, refrigeration service technician, air conditioning service technician, counter sales person, energy management, control programming, or controls technician.

Salaries. What kind of salary can I expect?
At initial placement, graduates entering this industry with an A.S. degree can earn from $15 to $28 per hour. Graduates of certificate programs may start out at from $8 to $15 per hour. Workers with several years experience typically earn from $25 to $60 per hour, depending on the job and industry. Because the types of jobs and segments of industry are so varied, there is a large range in salaries. Salaries also vary in different parts of the country.

More information. Where can I learn more about Air Conditioning and Refrigeration careers and what they’re like for women?
El Camino College offers the Women in Industry and Technology (WIT) program to help you learn about employment in this field from a hands-on perspective. When you enroll in the program and sign up for the WIT program, you’ll receive notices about industry tours, field trips, guest speakers, support groups for women, internships, and more.

You can also visit the CalWomenTech HVACR Program page for an overview of both the HVACR career and the programs offered by El Camino College. Read Women’s Success Stories and news about women in this field at Role Models in the News. Or, network with other women in the field at a Women in HVACR meeting.

Academic FAQs

Math skills. How much math do I really need for the Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVACR) program at El Camino College?
No particular math prerequisites apply to the HVACR program. Once you are enrolled in the HVACR program, a three-unit course called Technical Mathematics 1 is included as a part of the coursework, and is directed specifically to applying math to problems found in industrial settings. If you’re worried about your math skills, visit the Women in Industry and Technology (WIT) program on campus – they have fun and entertaining software tools that can help you build your math skills. Math tutoring is also available at the WIT program.

Technology skills. How can I prepare for the HVACR program if I don’t have a background in technology or the trades?
You don’t really need a background in technology or trades to enter this program, but since you will be using computers during the program, it helps to develop basic skills with a personal computer and common desktop software and to be able to identify common tools that may be used in the classroom. At the Women in Industry and Technology (WIT) program on campus, you can work with entertaining software tools to help you develop the math and spatial reasoning skills (the ability to see things in three dimensions) you need to do well in your classes and you can also increase your chances of success by familiarizing yourself with common tools and basic blueprint reading before class via the CalWomenTech Library. In addition, once you are enrolled in the program you have several options for tutoring assistance. Some high school students enroll in HVACR courses at El Camino College and receive college credit for free.

Courses required. How can I find out what courses I need to take for the HVACR program?
Visit the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration program section of the El Camino College website for descriptions of both the courses offered and the degrees and certificates programs available. The course catalog will also provide information about the general education requirements for the A.S. degree.

Placement tests. Are placement tests required for this program?
f you plan to enroll in an Associate of Science degree program in HVACR, placement tests are required to determine your level of English and math knowledge so you can be placed in the appropriate classes. The Assessment and Testing Center schedules test dates and times when students can drop in to take the tests. Some tests are also offered online. Visit the Assessment and Testing Center page for details.

Placement testing is not required for the HVACR certificate programs.

Length of program. How long will it take to complete the HVACR program?
The A.S. Degree program in Air Conditioning and Refrigeration takes 2 to 2-1/2 years to complete. The program requires 38 units in HVACR courses, plus general education requirements to total 60 units. Some students spread their coursework over a longer period if family or work obligations prevent them from attending school full-time.

There are several certificate programs in HVACR of varying lengths. The full Certificate of Completion requires 38 units and can be completed in 1-1/2 years. Other certificates in specialty areas such as Air Conditioning, Refrigeration, or Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Electric Controls require from 13 to 17 units, and can be completed in two semesters.

High school preparation. Can I prepare myself for the HVACR program at El Camino while I’m still in high school?
It’s helpful to develop comfort with using a personal computer and common desktop applications and be familiar with common tools used in a shop. Occasionally students take courses in HVACR at El Camino while they are still in high school to get a head start or shorten the length of the program. El Camino does a lot of outreach to young women in high schools to provide information about the Women in Industry and Technology program, so check with the Women in Technology program to see if anything is planned.

Weight-lifting requirements. How can I prepare myself physically to meet the weight-lifting requirements for a job in HVACR?
Typical jobs in HVACR require that workers lift at least 30 pounds; special cranes and lifting devices are used to carry heavy appliances and pieces of equipment. Students thinking about a career in this area should stay active and maintain their physical fitness and female students in particular may want to focus on increasing their upper body strength via a gym or the schools Physical Education courses (hotlink) to increase their ease and safety in lifting.

Childcare FAQs

Child care. Where can I get child care assistance for when I'm at school or work?
The Women in Industry and Technology (WIT) Program provides child care services on a first-come, first-serve basis to its women members who are enrolled in the Electronics and Computer Hardware program. Students can download an application for the WIT program from the WIT website.

Requirements: the child must be potty trained and not be older than five years of age. The child care is provided by the Child Development Center located on campus. The WIT student must have declared her major in the Electronics and Computer Hardware program (or another of the 13 non-traditional careers programs offered through the WIT Program) and needs to be enrolled in at least six units related to her major.

Contact:
Women in Industry and Technology Program
Technical Arts Building, Room 104B
16007 Crenshaw Blvd.
Torrance, CA 90506
310.660.6780
WIT at elcamino.edu

El Camino College also provides child care assistance for students who meet the requirements for programs such as Extended Opportunity Program and Services (EOPS) and Cooperative Agencies Resources for Education (CARE). Fee-based child care services may also be available.

Financial Aid FAQs

Finances. How can I get financial aid?
El Camino College provides support for and information about financial aid, Federal work study programs, and scholarships. You'll also find support programs such as CalWorks, Extended Opportunity Program and Services (EOPS), and Cooperative Agencies Resources for Education (CARE). Just file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine what kind of aid you qualify for.

You'll find step-by-step instructions at the Financial Aid and Scholarships page.