[joeyj]

Just wanted to say I really enjoy reading all these forums. They are very informative and sometime quite entertaining. Here is the situation I could use some advice on. I was raised in the hvac business. Started working in the family business when I was 13 and continued to work until I was 28. I'm now33 and have worked for GE for the past 5 years. I loved the business but too much family in one business is pretty frustrating. I moved to NC took job at GE because it was great pay and benefits. Well I got laid off last month due to my job going to Mexico for $4 dollars an hour. Here is the offer they put on the table. They will pay for my schooling and let me draw unemployment for the next 2 years. Should I take that time and get the hvac schooling considering I was taught mostly by on hands training and I have no certificate, or should I just try to avoid the next two years trying to raise 3 kids on unemployment and just start working. I will definitely be working for myself considering I'm also a youth pastor and my schedule is very important. I don't want anything big, maybe even just a service company. I shut down the family business back in wv after my dad passed away a couple of years ago. I wouldn't want to move back there anyways. Any advice would be great. While I worked at GE I still stayed active in HVAC repair. So I haven't completely been out of the business for 5 years but haven't done it daily. I would just appreciate some feedback and opinions from the mountain of information thats available from this site. thanks

 

[SteveBelcher]

Just wanted to say I really enjoy reading all these forums. They are very informative and sometime quite entertaining. Here is the situation I could use some advice on. I was raised in the hvac business. Started working in the family business when I was 13 and continued to work until I was 28. I'm now33 and have worked for GE for the past 5 years. I loved the business but too much family in one business is pretty frustrating. I moved to NC took job at GE because it was great pay and benefits. Well I got laid off last month due to my job going to Mexico for $4 dollars an hour. Here is the offer they put on the table. They will pay for my schooling and let me draw unemployment for the next 2 years. Should I take that time and get the hvac schooling considering I was taught mostly by on hands training and I have no certificate, or should I just try to avoid the next two years trying to raise 3 kids on unemployment and just start working. I will definitely be working for myself considering I'm also a youth pastor and my schedule is very important. I don't want anything big, maybe even just a service company. I shut down the family business back in wv after my dad passed away a couple of years ago. I wouldn't want to move back there anyways. Any advice would be great. While I worked at GE I still stayed active in HVAC repair. So I haven't completely been out of the business for 5 years but haven't done it daily. I would just appreciate some feedback and opinions from the mountain of information thats available from this site. thanks

In my opinion I would go back to school, If you can live on unemployment

 

[FacilityPro]

I would think that you might be able to get the schooling you would need in less than 2 years. While theory classes are essential, you might be able to skip classes such as installation, if you've already been there-done that.
This is kinda wierd - I've never reccommeded that anyone skip schooling.

 

[joeyj]

Well that was my idea at first but in order to qualify I must get my diploma. So I would have to take all the classes.

 

[FacilityPro]

In that case I agree with slb8101 - if you can afford it, I'd say take it. In this economy, it might be the best option. I am curious just how that works,
though - Are those unemployment benefits from the company or the government?

 

[joeyj]

Its called a TRA package. Your company has to send a letter to the unemployment security commission upon layoff and state that you lost your job for no other reason than a transfer of work to another country. Then they have a agreement. The job pays for the schooling and the usc covers the 18 month extension on your unemployment. Its hard not to take it considering I can draw a secure paycheck for the next 2 years and maybe the economy will turn around by then.

 

[ascj]

I was also raised in the HVAC. I swore I would never do this when I hit 16. Went to college for mechanical engineering, dropped out. Couldn't get a good paying job, so back to HVAC. I finally decided I needed something on paper. Went to community college to get my AAS in HVAC. I relized most of what they were teaching I already knew. Talked to teacher, and found out that I could pass out of classes. I had to prove experience in the HVAC field and then pass the final examine. I got the credits and didn't have to pay full price for the class. I was able to get my AAS in 18 months.

Not sure if you could do the same.

 

[joeyj]

The only thing they offer here is a 2 year diploma program. Its going to be kinda hard to go to school with a bunch of 19 year olds who have never looked at a heat pump before. Thanks for the advice I will check at some surrounding colleges and see if I can get a more advanced degree in the next 2 years. I appreciate the help.

 

[refer guy]

yeah that sucks for getting layed off but you also have a pretty sweet deal of having your school payed for you, if you can live on unemployment then go for your certificate and epa. good luck

 

[FacilityPro]

He's right - I forgot about that

Talked to teacher, and found out that I could pass out of classes. I had to prove experience in the HVAC field and then pass the final examine. I got the credits and didn't have to pay full price for the class. I was able to get my AAS in 18 months

We called it "testing out". You can do it in Texas too.

 

[joeyj]

We called it "testing out". You can do it in Texas too.

sounds very good. i'll check on that

 

[fcs]

If you already got HVAC Experience and your 608 You may want to Get a AAS in Mech Eng. Or Mech Eng Tech. It would compliment your back ground well. And you can do some of it on line.

Not much work out there know any way.

You'll find there are many other 30's something folk at school with you.

2 Years of free college that is a gift From God IMO

Good luck

 

[joeyj]

If you already got HVAC Experience and your 608 You may want to Get a AAS in Mech Eng. Or Mech Eng Tech. It would compliment your back ground well. And you can do some of it on line.

Not much work out there know any way.

You'll find there are many other 30's something folk at school with you.

2 Years of free college that is a gift From God IMO

Good luck

Thats a good idea, engineering would give me a wider range of knowledge in the job field. The school is a blessing, its just a hard decision at 33 when your life was already pretty comfortable. thanks for the info

 

[fcs]

Wake Tech in Raleigh offers a MET AAS with a lot of it on line Lora Eddington is the Dept very nice Person. Runs a good Dept.
http://www.waketech.edu/