College of Western Idaho

The Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) trade is growing and the College of Western Idaho HVAC Apprenticeship Program is your key to starting a rewarding career in a field that is increasingly in need of trained and licensed technicians, installers, and trouble shooters.

The HVAC Apprenticeship Program at CWI is a four year program that will take you from the basics to being prepared to take the Journeyman’s test.

You will learn from industry experts in the classroom in concert with employment in the HVAC field for on-the-job training while earning a living. The schooling teaches the how’s and why’s of refrigeration as applied to air conditioning theory,  electrical theory, motors and basic electrical controls, International Fuel Gas and Mechanical Code, installation methods, and much more.

You have two options for your HVAC Apprenticeship program through CWI

• Hybrid (In-Class and Online) – Course content is delivered online and in-class with lab access. Class attendance is required one evening per week.
• Online – 100% of the course material is delivered over the Internet via an instructor led course. This does require a motivated individual to dedicate time and stay current with the materials.

Both options prepare you for the same required tests to become a licensed HVAC technician.

You will have 576 hours of classroom (in-class or online) training along with 8,000 hours of on-the-job experience during the four year program.

Be prepared to work in these areas of the HVAC industry:

• Residential
• Commercial
• Industrial

Registration for the hybrid program (in-class and online) is open every year from July through September and is based on first come, first serve. So mark your calendars and register as soon as you can.  We also have multiple start dates for the “online only” programs. The start dates are in January and October. Just like in the hybrid program, enroll early to make sure you are setup for success.

College of Western Idaho (CWI) is a comprehensive community college providing higher education programs to residents of Western Idaho. We offer a full range of academic and career-technical courses leading to an Associate of Arts or Science degree, Associate of Applied Science degrees, continuing education, and certificates. CWI also offers Basic Skills Education to help prepare for a GED, Dual Credit for high school students, and fast-track career training for working professionals. Choose from classes offered at a variety of campuses throughout the Treasure Valley or online. We schedule to meet your educational needs during the day, evening, and weekends.

At College of Western Idaho (CWI) we take a different approach to education. We understand that whether this is your first time or hundredth time to explore your educational opportunities, it is a life changing experience. We know that there may be hurdles to overcome, but we are committed to making your educational dream your reality. Here are just a few examples of why our students are happy they chose CWI.

A comprehensive resource for training and education

A “community college” generally refers to a two-year institution of higher education that offers different levels of instruction adapted to fit the needs of the community. Community colleges are characterized by open, equitable admissions (anyone can attend), a community-based philosophy, lower tuition and a quality education. These institutions provide students with a wide range of educational programs, including:

• Two-year degrees (Associate degrees)
• Transferable degrees ( for students transferring to four-year colleges or universities)
• Credit and non-credit vocational and occupational training
• Certificate courses
• Adult basic education
• Small business development assistance
• English as a second language
• Developmental/Remedial coursework
• Non-credit community and continuing education

The many benefits of a community college make it a valuable resource for Idaho’s future economic development by providing a well-trained work force for businesses and industries throughout the entire state.