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Apprenticeship Program

Open Enrollment is Closed for 2020-21 School Year

Please Check back for updates

CroppMetcalfe Academy

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check-mark Classroom & Hands-On Labs​
check-markAccredited by Virginia
check-mark Night Classes for Working Students
check-markTop Notch Instructors
check-markHVAC & Plumbing Programs
check-markLow Student to Instructor Ratio
check-markOnline Course Materials

Why HVAC and Plumbing?

check-mark Jobs in high demand
check-markUse technology daily
check-mark High-income potential
check-markGreen job opportunity
check-markRecession-proof
check-markWork with your hands
 

Careers in both of these fields are expected to grow significantly over the next few years. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Plumbing careers should increase 21.3% by the year 2022. Similarly, HVAC careers are expected to increase by 21%.


Why CroppMetcalfe?

 
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Our instructors have over 40+ years of experience in teaching and in the field. All of our instructors have their Master’s Licenses as well as many other qualifications.

You will get hands-on experience by working on practice equipment in a classroom setting. This will allow you to get the real world experience needed to boost your marketability for many current job opportunities, as well as increase your potential for higher wages.


When?

 

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Our program is available in both Fairfax, VA and Beltsville, MD. The apprenticeship program typically runs from Fall through Spring and will take four years to complete. Classes are held in the evening after normal working hours to accommodate current work schedules and generally will meet one day per week. If you are currently working in the HVAC or Plumbing fields, your work hours may count as your required “on-the-job hours.”


Program and Course Content

Plumbing

 

HVAC

Year 1:
Introduce the apprentice to basic plumbing tools and technology, including, joining pipes and fittings, trade math, safety and more.
 
Year 2:
Introduce the apprentice to water piping materials and sizing, water heaters, sewage disposal, drainage fixtures, building drains and stacks, venting materials and sizing. Basic trade math will also be discussed.
 
Year 3:
Introduce the apprentice to residential, commercial and industrial installation practices, including cross connections, offsets, elevations, and grades, builder’s level and transits methods, construction integrity, gas codes, blueprint reading, and trade math.
 
Year 4:
Prepare the apprentice to take the licensing exam, which includes the study of International Codes and fire sprinkler systems.
 
 
 
 
Year 1:
Introduce the apprentice to basic refrigeration cycle, refrigerants and refrigeration oil, piping practices, basic electricity, introduction to heating equipment and tools, safety, and trade math.
 
Year 2:
Introduce the apprentice to basic air conditioning systems, refrigerant controls, electric motors, circuits and controls, functions, air filtration, safety, and trade math.
 
Year 3:
Introduce the apprentice to troubleshooting gas, electric, and oil heat, troubleshooting heat pumps, cooling systems, and accessories, preventative maintenance, system balancing, hydronics, boilers, commercial refrigeration, and chilled water systems.
 
Year 4:
Introduce the apprentice to blueprint reading, heat load/gain calculations, air distribution systems, psychometrics, air flow measurements, troubleshooting heating, refrigeration and HVAC electrical systems, writing diagrams, NEC and International Mechanical codes, and trade math.

Costs

Tuition (includes books, lab fees, and online classes)

  • $1,690 - Plumbing program
  • $1,865 - HVAC program

** Tuition can be paid quarterly via cash, check, or credit card.

For more information about registration, please click here and complete our short interest form. 
 
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What Our Customers Say...

"I've been a CroppMetcalfe customer for 9 years and you have always provided outstanding service. I just had my semi-annual maintenance done, and I wanted to thank George for the truly outstanding service, professionalism, and excellent advice. He is definitely one of the best 5-Star Technicians I've had! Thank you CroppMetcalfe!"

Bill H