Does anybody here work in the HVAC/Refrigeration trades?

[ANewSawyer]

I have a job but I am looking for a career. I ain't worried about getting rich, just making enough to feed a family, well ,and keep a non-leaky over their head. I have talked to some different people and understand that I would want to go commercial/large units with HVAC. It is supposed to be a more secure job, the larger stuff you can work on. Especially in refrigeration. Anybody here got some good suggestions?

 

[T.Roller]

I started my apprenticeship with the IBEW for the same reason and it has paid off already. Great insurance and retirement. Great pay too....

 

[Moparmyway]

I've been working in the trade for just about 25 years as a union operating engineer.

Best thing I've ever done since I got out of the military. Been a Chief Engineer or Director of Engineering for over 15 years.

I teach for my union, 3rd year apprentices and the EPA section 608 (CFC certification). IUOE and commercial refrigeration are a great combination. We get over 1,500 applications for 60 class seats every year. It's a dang good career and a dang good way to make a living.

 

[ANewSawyer]

Is it better to apprentice than to go to a trade school? There is a trade school in the next town over. I believe they offer night school but that may mean I would have to leave my current full time job because the classes start early in the afternoon. I want to work for a company full time with insurance and benefits. From what I have been told, bigger cities have better opportunities. So I can see why you have done well, mopar.

 

[mdavlee]

Is it better to apprentice than to go to a trade school? There is a trade school in the next town over. I believe they offer night school but that may mean I would have to leave my current full time job because the classes start early in the afternoon. I want to work for a company full time with insurance and benefits. From what I have been told, bigger cities have better opportunities. So I can see why you have done well, mopar.

If you apprentice and go up through in a union you'll get benefits and all of that after a short time. I'm not sure how the OE works but the UA it doesn't take long to get hours built up for insurance.

 

[Moparmyway]

If you are selected for Apprenticeship, (3 year Apprentice program) your benefits usually begin within 30 days of your employment.
We're a little different than the construction trades, our jobs arent over when the building is completed, and we are employed by the building owners. They pay our Union benefits and wages
We operate/maintain/repair the equipment within the buildings, so yes, big cities will offer the best opportunities

We see trade school graduates trying to get in all of the time. We send them through the Apprentice application process as well. Having no experience and being qualified from sitting in a class is a recipe for injuries, damages, and possibly worse.

 

[Cigmaker]

While I didn't go to trade school for refrigeration I went for automotive in 2004. I can tell you it was a waste of 30k not counting living expenses. When I got out they still treated me as if I was basically fresh off the street. I had one guy tell me yes we definitely want to hire you so you can train my guys to use the new equipment. I thought man got lucky with this guy.. we sat down started talking money and he wanted to pay me 13 bucks an hour lmao. Anyway I gave up on that real quick and got lucky to land a union job machine operator. I've done everything from engraving, brick work, to operating a 2d laser nothing compares to how I'm treated or compensated now. While my father thinks unions are second in the line of evil behind Obama I will say they do offer you a better life in my area. No fellas I'm not left wing and I love my guns

 

[T.Roller]

Apprenticeship all the was. Trade school doesn't mean you'll have a job or a set pay scale. Union wages are usually higher and set. It was a no brainer for me

 

[mdavlee]

Yep. Welding you can make a lot of money on the non union side. Just you don't have benefits paid in for you 90% of the time.

 

[Magic_Man]

I'm in the HVAC field, don't waste time with a trade school. We have hired guys out of a school that had never touched a real unit. Find an apprenticeship someplace and get time under your belt. There is, and always will be a demand for heating and cooling so job security is there for the long haul. Money is in commercial because commercial repair rates are higher and a customer is more likely to spend $10k repairing a roof top than they are paying $50k to replace it. You can go union or an independent contractor. Most independents once you get established will pay for you to go to their brand training.

 

[ANewSawyer]

I would rather do an apprentinceship, personally. Book learning doesn't replace a hands on learning. Are apprentices usually paid or get benefits at independents?

 

[Magic_Man]

I would rather do an apprentinceship, personally. Book learning doesn't replace a hands on learning. Are apprentices usually paid or get benefits at independents?

Yes, they typically are called hands or helpers. Full time work just not all the glory and fancy tools but a good opportunity to learn and get your hands dirty.

 

[Cracker Boy]

Been doin it 20 years started banging sheetmetal out of high school now i work as a commercial hvac tech lot of malls schools churches dept store military base work plus i do my own residential on the side it pays the bills and have play money from my side work

 

[Max Place]

Hi there, it sounds like an interesting thread. Well, I guess career in HVAC units may pay high. I do not work in HVAC profession but always get all the services by professional HVAC service NJ which was recommended to me by my neighbor. Now a days people rely on professionals so getting into this career is worth if you are thinking so.

 

[Cracker Boy]

Max place who are you referring to?by the way your avatar says you are from nevada but you say your work is done by a company in new jersey that your neigbor refered you to