http://www.ua.org/

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I live on the eastern shore of md, they're closest local is in Baltimore 3hrs away


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Why would people down Technical Schools? That's where you learn hands on experience, maybe they are downing the four months online, or college courses that only teach you on paper, never getting your hands dirty. You want to learn this trade correctly, you would need to go to a hands on school for one year full time , or at night part time, for over a year to get firmilar with all the aspects of the profession IMO. Oil heat, Gas heat, Heat Pumps, A/C , electrical theory, electrical hands on , A/C theory, A/C hands on, torch use, building a simple refrigeration system or A/C system. Etc Etc. just because you may not have some of those systems in your area, you should learn them as you may relocate in the future.

Learning from a trade school may count/ qualify toward your first license as far as counting for hours.

 

I wasn't downing them all I've seen locally are 2 yr certificates which include the EPA 608 cert (which I'm self studying ) and basic electrical theory, etc I have a 2 year electronics engineering very already so electrical theory I am good on specific systems I am not, but in the syllabus I see from the local community college it's that, English and some bs business class a few math classes (I did computer sci. For yours so I'm good on math) just doesn't look like much but a waste of time for me if I could get a apprenticeship or job as a helper and have real world learning


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Many people do mid life career changes for whatever reason, yes of course you will be the junior person if you work with a experienced ( even a young tech. With experience ) you seem to recognize that. In my state you can not legally go out on a service call or do a install solo until you have a license. So that affects your income potential, do not know how your state works on that subject. Some states have a lot less licensing requirements than others. When I worked for a Contractor years ago, we had a person get into HVAC even older than you. When we showed up at a residential install,the customer automatically focused their questions on the older person ( even thou he was woefully less experienced than me at the time ) thinking he was more experienced, the perception is interesting.

 

Yeah I could see that happening on occasion I don't have any kind of ego though, I just want to learn HVAC and do it, so it wouldn't hurt my feelings any to explain I'm the helper he's the pro...


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I actually told him not to say anything to the customer as long as he worked with me that he was the junior, I was there with him to listen to what the customers concerns where as the junior, out of respect for his age and knowing how he would feel. The job gets done in the end anyway. Having Compassion for someone's feelings goes a long way.

 

daver297
You're in a tough spot. Age, experience in the work force and knowledge. I do not put down unions at all if we did not have them my earning would be much lower. But the UA here for HVAC is a 5 year program the first year is basically working as a helper. Having said that it does not mean you will get work it maybe just for the busy season.

The Community College in my area has a good program. It's a year but when you get out you are definitely a solid 1 year apprentice experience in hands on skills. Which will let you know if this is really something you want to do. My Community College also has a adult education program that's not to bad usually couple nights a week for a couple months.

More and more HVAC machines and system are being run by microprocessor and office automation system that may be your niche. While you're at the Community College make an appointment with a counselor and see if they have anything along those lines. I just removed four older electro-mechanical controlled system and installed new systems with digital control. You won't get that specialty in the ua. There are several pros here that lean to the electrical & controls specialty

So I would suggest:
1. Contacting the community college in your area to see what they may have.
2. Go to the UA and fill out an apprenticeship application.
3. Then I'd make up a couple dozen short resumes documenting you have held a long term job, why you are looking for work and the skill sets you have. Then just walk into the HVAC shops in your area and ask to talk to the boss or office manager. See if they will give you a couple minutes to talk. If no leave your resume.

I'd take a hard look at what it would take to become a "controls guy", learn the refrigeration part and you may be set.

Good Luck

 

Apprentice's don't sit on the bench, they are employed and learning for the full 5 year program.

 

Unless you know someone, a tech school might be your only way in. Around here, even to get into the union they want a tech school diploma. That means a possible 7 years of school before being able to not call yourself an apprentice anymore.

You could possibly work your way up by starting out as an installer's helper if you could find someone to give you a shot, though.

I would still recommend the tech school route. If you do really know your stuff like you say you do, it might be possible to test out of some of the classes. They also might be able to give you credit for some of the classes you've already taken in the past. I think it would be worth finding someone at the school to talk to about those possibilities.

 

with the computer experience you have you could look into DDC (direct digital controls)

 

I did it mid forties, but I used an accredited tech school certificate as a foot in the door. An employer will want to see you had enough interest and investment, as well as being specifically trained in HVAC - not just electrical or mechanics in general. There's more to to it than you might be inclined to believe. It's hard enough to be hired in when simply new with a degree, much less with nothing.

 

With respect to apprentices working the whole 5 years of the apprenticeship. OK I agree but the apprenticeship may take more than 5 years. Allow me to explain the basis of my comment.

I have been a union dues paying member for more than 1/2 my working career. I have sat on picket lines and been laid off due to RIFs (slow and just plain bad economy). I 100% agree Unions have the best training opportunities

What are usual and customary practices in the Milwaukee local may be significantly different that those practices in the Fresno local of the same union or any other locals.

Just because you fill out an apprentice application it does not mean you will be accepted as an apprentice. Might be a couple year wait.

The number of apprentices this year may be different than in the years before and related directly to how much work the HVAC contractor have in that area

There is favoritism used many times in the apprentice selection process, brothers, sons, nephews, etc many times get placed before those who have no previous affiliation with the local. That's great when you are on the right side

When the economy get's slow and the contractors lay off, the apprentices are the first to go by contract for the areas I worked in. When the apprentice or journeyman goes back to the hall, if the hall has no call for workers you sit and wait. To me HVAC is different than many of the other trades in that the percentage of travelers is much less than pipefitters, electricians, boilermakers, etc

Am I off the mark?

I've made career focus changes in my 30's, 40's and 50's and learned I make my own breaks (or luck) and depend on very few others. So making a career change at 40 you bet it can be done

Been there done that

Good luck and still wish you the best in the career change

 

I understand Boland is looking for Energy Management techs. to train. I don't know how big their service area is though.

 

Looks like SteveGrangr did a bad thing.

 

Johnson Controls was looking for Apprentices at the Proving Ground and in Wilmington.

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I honestly think everyone should at least start as an installer. It gives you a perspective on how the systems go together, and it is the entry level in HVAC. Going to school without real world perspective will just get you made fun of when you try to do things "the way the book says to do it" . Then if you can get a better idea of what you enjoy doing/ have an aptitude for. Really there are a lot of options in HVAC tech, fitter, controls, steam head, refer, designer, tinner, fabricator....

 

Dont get me wrong, I am all for schooling and training. I just think your better served to get your hands dirty first. Good work ethic and a willingness to haul ass and pay attention is WAY more impressive than any paper resume. We can teach you what to do, but you need to not be lazy, not expect a 9-5 job, and be ready to do whatever the job calls for.

 

Booo Yaaahh

Dont get me wrong, I am all for schooling and training. I just think your better served to get your hands dirty first. Good work ethic and a willingness to haul ass and pay attention is WAY more impressive than any paper resume. We can teach you what to do, but you need to not be lazy, not expect a 9-5 job, and be ready to do whatever the job calls for.

 

I think everyone should be thrown in the trenches and learn how to trouble shoot a system.

 

Walk into shops with your boots and tape measure on ready to go to work and then ask em when you can start.

If you go the school route a couple of things are important, more so now days than used to be.

Number one, research the specific school, check their accrediting body and see if they are on any kind of warnings etc. If so, its a HUGE red flag, it doesn't mean it is a bad school, it could be another victim of the Obama "gainful employment act" and could close with a moments notice, the one I worked at for 17 years did.

Second, get in the trade while you are in school. There are something like 40,000 hvac vendors, no school is going to have everything, some are going to have darn little as far as equipment goes so being out there gives you a MUCH greater perspective, always told my students to get in the field asap.

third, don't believe 100% of what an instructor says, find obscure things to ask about, if they tell you they don't know and will need to look into it, then does and gets back to you, they are likely worth their salt, if they feel they have to answer every question right away even if it means bs'ing you then you need to look hard at everything they say. Unfortunately too many enter into instructing and fail to understand they are no longer a journeyman tech, they are an apprentice teacher and they need an entirely different skill set, one which bs'ing doesn't suit well.

 

In case you didn't notice, this thread is several years old. That being said . . .

 

If you want to break into the trade, first thing is to be mechanically inclined.

For example, when your vacuum cleaner stops working, what do you do?

The answer to that question will tell all regarding this trade.

 

I didnt notice, popped up in new threads and I just responded

 

Well now that the dead have been awoken.
Experience is definitely the best teacher.
One in this trade needs mechanical as well as electrical skills mostly. Not necessarily in that order.

 

You definitely have to be activating your detective gene in order to do diagnostics on these systems.

If you are not by nature a curious person who likes to take things apart and put them back together, this business is probably not for you.