Elevators education and training is perfect for high school graduates that excel in shop, science and mathematics. While many places offer courses for installing elevators, most workers learn via apprenticeship programs. Training lasts for approximately four years as students learn about elevator installation through hands-on experiences.

Learning about installing passenger elevators, commercial elevators, freight elevators and grain elevators among others gives you a solid edge over competitors who might only specialize in one area. To obtain the training necessary to put you ahead in your profession, you might want to consider the following opportunities:

1. Garner knowledge on residential elevators and freight elevators through trainings offered by a union or union-related business.

2. Obtain elevators education and training from independent employers in the industry.

3. Learn more about commercial and home elevators with additional training.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Discover how to install commercial elevators through an apprenticeship related to a union

Learn industrial elevators prices and installation methods or home elevator prices and installation methods by getting trained through a trade apprenticeship program offered by employers connected to a union or by a union itself.

I recommend: The National Association of Elevator Contractors (NAEC) is an association that represents workers in the elevator industry. It offers Certified Accessibility and Private Residence Lift Technician (CAT) and Certified Elevator Technician (CET) certification programs in the elevator industry, as well as NAEC continuing education courses. The National Elevator Industry Educational Program offers courses to members covering various topics related to the elevator industry. Its four-year program covers fundamentals, electricity, advanced topics and maintenance courses.

Educate yourself on the mechanics of passenger elevators and other types of elevators with a degree

Prepare yourself for getting hands-on experience installing stair elevators and other types of elevators as you attend classes in electronics and drafting or even mathematics as you earn an associates or bachelor's degree. While having a degree is not essential to your career, it often gives you an edge and you may receive higher wages.

I recommend: World Wide Learn offers a summary for what a degree in electrical engineering entails. It lists a series of colleges and universities offering online and on-site courses so you can obtain this degree. Degrees Online focuses primarily on colleges and universities that offer online courses including a degree in electrical engineering. It has an easy-to-use list of educational institutions with links to learn more about each one.

Further your education and training on commercial and home elevators with alternative courses

After learning about the installation and price for home freight elevators or another kind of elevator, consider broadening your knowledge base by taking part of additional learning opportunities. Ongoing training keeps a worker current in the ever-changing technology related to repairing elevators.

I recommend: Keyscan offers training in a webinar format for novice elevator technicians. Its courses cover technical aspects related to elevator systems, such as one course for workers interested in installing an access control system for an elevator. ASME International offers a series of courses covering topics from basic elevator introduction to maintenance and inspection. Learn about altering existing elevators and study safety codes through the courses ASME International offers.

More Baby Boomers are building or remodeling homes now that they hope to stay in through their golden years. This accounts for a rise in demand for home elevators, an amenity no longer exclusive to the very rich or those with mobility challenges. Builders are outfitting more mid-priced homes with elevators than just a few years ago. The growing popularity of lower-maintenance, multi-story townhouses adds to demand.

Residential elevators are smaller and more detailed, with wood paneled doors and cabs for instance, than public passenger elevators. Industrial elevators prices trend higher than their residential counterparts. Home elevator prices includes installation depending on the location and labor. For some homeowners, stair elevators are a lower cost, easily adaptable alternative. Building professionals should consider these issues:

1. Benefit of planning for future accessibility needs at the time of construction or remodeling.

2. Expanding range of design, technology and price points for home passenger elevators.

3. Local elevator installation codes, licensing or certification requirements.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Learn about building elevators for convenience now, accessibility later

Architects and home builders must be knowledgeable of this trend. For a few thousand dollars, contractors serve homeowners' future needs, often building the shaft with initial construction and adding the lift and mechanics as needed. In some plans, an upper story and lower story closet align, clear of plumbing and electrical wires, for eventual use as a shaft.

I recommend: The National Association of Home builders and its research arm, along with AARP, developed the Certified Aging-In-Place Specialist (CAPS) program to educate the industry and consumers on how to make a house a home for a lifetime. Contractor referral web site ServiceMagic called home elevators a hot trend of 2007 and says demand will continue.

Offer consumers a range of elevator options

Some home builders are opting for a high-tech, efficient home over more square footage. This trend includes earmarking some of their budget for an elevator and other features such as easy-pull drawers that will make a home fit the changing needs of their advanced years. At the International Builders' Show, Waupaca Elevator, a 50-year-old company in Waupaca, Wis., treated members to a lift on its Paca-Ryde roped hydraulic elevators, lauding their minimal wiring and J Rail system, which cuts installation time.

I recommend: Waupaca Elevator offers product and dealer lists, Elevator 101 terminology, home elevator prices and a section for architectural drawings. Residential Elevators, Inc. promotes custom designs. Vertechs has focused on transferring the safety of industrial elevators into the compact and well-designed home elevator. These larger firms can also provide industrial elevators prices.

Respect the law, know the code on residential elevators

Home builders and architects are used to working with state and municipal codes on projects. Commercial elevators and residential elevators are no exception. While residential elevator design and operation may seem straightforward, each unit includes intricate safety devices that require an on-site adjustment and a trained technician to complete the job.

I recommend: In addition to local building code offices, local chapters of the National Association of Home builders are a good resource for updates and classes on local requirements, including for elevators. McGraw Hill Construction sells a building code database, including American National Standards Institute, or ANSI, requirements.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Including an elevator can increase home resale value and open up the field of potential buyers to Baby Boomers and retirees, in addition to younger families.