HVAC Training and Jobs

[c3po]

I was thinking about becoming a HVAC specialist, my cousin in N.Y. works as a maintenance engineer in some big office building, but he is part of a union.

In Maryland the only union is in Washington D.C., they usually get over 200 applicants a year in May and only take 25 guys. This is kind of like an apprentice job and you are going to school at the same time.

My other options are to try and find a company that would hire me as a helper and then I could learn the ropes.

Another option is to go to school at a place like Lincoln Tech, but with the economy the way it is I am reading stuff on the net from guys with over 20 years of experience who are out of work because they were laid off.

I just feel that right now it would be crazy to go to a school, and not be able to find work for a while or however longer.

Does anyone have any thoughts or experience with this field.

 

[Dave Hess]

Its a great job if you completely learn the A/C and heating trade and then open your own business, depending on where your are, you could make a ton of $$$$$$.

 

[duaneb9729]

I have been in the hvac field for a little over thirty years

I started out as a delivery driver at a heating company and ended up owning a company for over 24 years.

Its a wonderful industry with lots of opportunity's for continued learning, personal growth. With many avenues for advancement.

Personally if i had to do it all over though i would have been a plumber. More potential upside money wise.

Pm me if you have more questions or if i can be of any help to you.

Sincerely
Duane

 

[Gary Allan]

Get hired by an outfit to do the grunt work at whatever they will pay you. Look, ask ...learn. Most of the schools have evening programs of some sort for the stuff that you need to fill in the gaps.

I would however, not recommend getting into anything for the sake of just chasing a buck. Some people can divorce themselves from their chosen vocation and consider work .."work" ..but we tend to find ourselves in a rut if we don't truly enjoy what we're doing.

If you're going to just "chase a buck" ..make it a good one ..just so you can bury your boredom or frustration in lifestyle distractions.

Again, I'd recommend getting into something that you really enjoy anyway, regardless of the pay. You'll end up getting somewhere just by your desire to do the work ..though the rewards may be less and take longer to be realized.

 

[tom slick]

I think being a HVAC technician would be an enjoyable job as long as you were on the trobleshooting/repair side. I think the commerical/industrial side would especially challenging (in a good way).

 

[Dave Hess]

Quote:
Another option is to go to school at a place like Lincoln Tech


I know there are some high schools that offer Vocational Training such as HVAC and Plumbing classes in the evening and its a fraction the cost of Lincoln Tech (formerly New England Tech). Do a google search and you will find them.