Everything Single Parents Need to Know About HVAC School and Careers

Are you a single parent who is ready for a career change? Is HVAC the right field for you? Whether you need to move to a new town, you don't make enough money, you need a job that allows you to work around your child's schedule, or you have another reason for switching careers, take a look at what single moms and dads need to know about HVAC training programs. 

What Does an HVAC Professional Do?

Before you jump into a new career, you may want to learn more about the field and what you'll really do as a professional. HVAC stands for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. HVAC contractors inspect, repair, and install these types of systems in commercial (business) and residential (home) settings.

Along with directly working on HVAC equipment, professionals in this vocation may also own their own businesses. While a brand-new HVAC tech isn't ready to open their own shop, entrepreneurship is an option after you build your resume and have a significant amount of industry-related on-the-job experience.

Why Is HVAC the Ideal Career for a Single Parent?

You need a new job. But a career that requires years of school/training, well over 40-hour workweeks, and no upward mobility or the ability to become your own boss doesn't fit your single-parent needs. 

Instead, your dream job allows you to comfortably support your child, save for the future (including your child's future education), spend quality family time together, co-parent easily, and maybe even someday open your own business. If this describes your job wants/needs, HVAC is the right option to explore. 

According to statistics from the Pew Research Center, 27 percent of single parents (who live alone with their children) live in poverty. In comparison, only 16 percent of parents who cohabitate fall below the poverty line. 

Whether you're one of the many single parents in this position or you just want to earn more than your present job provides, you can earn more than just a livable income as an HVAC professional.

The U.S. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) states that the 2021 median pay for an HVAC mechanic or installer was $48,630 annually or $23.38 hourly. While this figure varies depending on your experience and where you live, it's significantly higher than the minimum wage. 

Along with the pay, HVAC offers other benefits for working single parents. With a variety of job options, you can choose a schedule that works around your child's needs. Traditional commercial or residential technician jobs are typically Monday through Friday during daylight hours. This allows you to work while your child is in school.

If your child is too young for school or you need to create a schedule that fits around your ex's, you could work as an emergency technician. These jobs require evening, overnight, and weekend work schedules. 

Can Single Moms Become HVAC Professionals?

Yes, single moms can work in the HVAC field. Even though it may seem like this is a male-dominated profession, women techs are gradually growing in numbers. The BLS projects that the HVAC industry will add 19,000 jobs to the existing 350,400 positions between 2020 and 2030. This makes the field an ideal option for both single dads and single moms who are looking for a new career.

How Can Single Parents Go to HVAC School?

Like other jobs in the skilled trades, you can't just decide to become an HVAC technician and apply for open positions. You will need to complete a training program before you start to work with heating or air conditioning equipment and machinery. According to the BLS, most HVAC programs last for between six months and two years. 

Along with classroom training, most mechanics and installers must also complete a three- to five-year hands-on apprenticeship program. An apprenticeship is paid training that allows you to gain real-world experience in the HVAC industry while still earning a living. The pay during an apprenticeship varies, depending on where you work and who you work for.

Even though you could spend several years training to become an HVAC technician, you can still complete a program and an apprenticeship while parenting. To balance school/work and your family:

• Schedule classes strategically. Can you schedule your training classes while your child is in school to avoid babysitting costs? This strategy not only saves you money but also gives you extra time to spend with your child. 
• Plan ahead for homework. You don't have to let homework interfere with family time. Create a weekly or monthly schoolwork schedule to balance your two worlds.
• Ask for help. You don't have to manage school and parenting alone. If your ex isn't in the picture or lives too far away to help, ask friends or family members for assistance. This can give you a few additional hours to study or work.

Are finances an issue right now? Don't let money stop your HVAC career plans. Talk to your school's financial aid staff or counselor about loans, grants, and other ways to pay for your tuition.

Do you want to learn more about the HVAC field? Contact the HVAC Technical Institute for more information.