National Park College (NPC) Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) apprenticeship student Ioan Ardelean is gaining technical expertise and real‑world experience through the College’s apprenticeship program, combining classroom instruction with on‑the‑job training to prepare for a long‑term career in the skilled trades.
Originally from Romania, Ardelean brings a strong educational foundation to the program. He completed high school and a five‑year automotive engineering college program at the University of Oradea, graduating from college in 2005. After relocating to the United States and settling in the Hot Springs area more than 15 years ago, Ardelean chose to continue his education at NPC.
Ardelean’s interest in HVAC developed while he was enrolled in NPC’s electrician apprenticeship program, where exposure to HVAC concepts and fellow students pursuing the trade sparked his curiosity. That interest was reinforced by earlier work with mechanical systems while working on vehicles.
Seeking a pathway that blended instruction with practical experience, Ardelean chose the apprenticeship route.
“Hands‑on learning while attending classes at the same time” made apprenticeship the right fit for him, he said.
Now in his second year of the three‑year HVAC apprenticeship program, Ardelean is gaining experience both in the classroom and in the field, where the two environments reinforce each other.
“The program is not just one or the other,” Ardelean said. “Both classroom learning and hands‑on training work together, applying the knowledge learned in class.”
Through coursework, Ardelean said he has developed a deeper understanding of HVAC systems by learning how individual components function across a wide range of brands and applications. He currently works for Fitz Service Company, where he applies those concepts daily in real‑world settings.
“It can be hot, but it’s also fun,” Ardelean said of the job. “We make the best of it while doing high‑quality work.”
Balancing full-time work with evening classes requires commitment, but Ardelean said the program's structure makes it manageable. Two nights a week of class allow him to maintain steady progress while gaining valuable field experience.
One lesson that resonated most for Ardelean was the importance of doing the job correctly the first time.
“Quality goes a long way,” he said. “Not having to return for a bad job saves time and money for customers.”
Ardelean credited NPC’s instructors and apprenticeship staff with providing a supportive and welcoming environment, describing the program as unexpectedly feeling “like home.” He also said collaboration among classmates and shared learning experiences have been key to his growth.
Despite having an engineering background and journeyman experience in electrical work, Ardelean said the HVAC apprenticeship continues to challenge him in positive ways.
“I thought I already knew everything, but the program proved me wrong daily,” he said. “I am happy to keep learning something new every day.”
Looking ahead, Ardelean hopes to open his own HVAC business and potentially build a small team. He plans to remain in the area long term and sees HVAC as a stable and essential profession.
“AI may take many jobs, but not this one,” he said. “No matter what happens, good technicians will always be needed.”
During Apprenticeship Week, Ardelean said he hopes his story encourages others to consider skilled trades and the opportunities offered through NPC’s apprenticeship programs.
“This country was built by people like us,” he said. “These programs need to continue and grow because of the great outcomes for students, teachers, customers and the community.”
For more information about NPC’s Apprenticeship programs, visit np.edu/Apprenticeships.