CAREER CHANGE TO HVAC?

COOL!!!

I got an uncle in the army who marred japanese, she was very nice and so my cousins are half japanese too, nice people.
I just dont like people getting nasty either. this world is big enough for everyone to enjoy together and get along, colors or not.

I hear ya, fortunately my now 18 year old Daughter has never had a problem with anyone as far as race goes. She looked a more Oriental in her younger years but not any more. To many people out there starting crap, lifes so short it's almost over in a blink of an eye so why be a putz. Try to enjoy it and get along.

my choice to look beyond these borders were based on loyalty , past experiences were a factor , and it seems I cannot find , how should I say it? A more slender woman? I hope I did not start a new argument!

No arguments here, you have the right to be with who ever you want to be with and it shouldn't matter where she's from. Before I married my wife I went salmon fishing with my brother in law up by the Canadian border in Maine. We sat by a fire and talked most of the night about diff. cultures and the way some people think and agreed on most of what we talked about. The bottom line is, it shouldn't matter who your with as long as your happy, and as for loyalty, the asian woman have most beat. About the people that disagree, its not there bus. Be Well

true about asian women ! Live long and prosper! ( We can learn from star trek)

fed-up in Sunnyside, Washington said: my choice to look beyond these borders were based on loyalty , past experiences were a factor , and it seems I cannot find , how should I say it? A more slender woman? I hope I did not start a new argument!

I get what you guys are saying , theres nothing like a traditional woman with family as the priority value.
that is a lost art in independence land, so much for commitment and loyalty for the cake eaters.
Mexican National women , are like the traditional japanese women too for that matter.
now getting back to topic. lol

Are u on tour in Nevada? Had job interview today , it took nine hours, he put me straight to work , wants me back tomorrow , longest interview I have ever had.

If you have an interview that lasts more than an hour it shows that they have an interest in you but nine! That awe some, glad you got something and I hope it works out for you. I been checking all over but am still keeping my fingers crossed for an overseas job even though there's a couple places around here that I've been talking to. Good luck, talk to you later

thanks , hope it works out for u and yours , i am off to the 2nd day of the ( interview)

fed-up in Sunnyside, Washington said: Are u on tour in Nevada? Had job interview today , it took nine hours, he put me straight to work , wants me back tomorrow , longest interview I have ever had.

I had to go to utah , to visit a friend of mine, its on the way stopped in mickey d's used their wireless its free in Nevada. lol
but the interview that last 9 hours means the guy likes to hear himself talk, thats the kind of boss that will use his gift of gab to let you know hes the boss, right or wrong.
let him have his say and youre always right by letting him know hes always right. lol
Glad to hear things worked out for you, really.

I am on stand by to go to work, and will be moving soon to a hopefully better place or a busier one.
good luck to u too snrjr

interview was not nine hours i never got one he just sent me to work , second day also no interview , just work,

fed-up in Sunnyside, Washington said: interview was not nine hours i never got one he just sent me to work , second day also no interview , just work,

you rather have an interview than a job? maybe you should complain? lmao
dont go do that. but there are so many people out of work right now, its almost like youre doing something wrong to complain.

fed-up in Sunnyside, Washington said: interview was not nine hours i never got one he just sent me to work , second day also no interview , just work,

Nothing wrong with that, the last place I Interviewed twice and it went to someone that lived closer, got the word yesterday.

My husband is doing a career change to HVAC. He is trying to get in the commercial side of things. He has his Universal EPA certification along with the state license. How should we update his resume. He came from the trucking industry, but do to health concerns it's better for him to be home. I know Houston has tons of opportunities, but wondering how we can incorporate the change to the resume.

If he has health issues, HVAC is not a good choice in all honesty

stefen in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania said: If he has health issues, HVAC is not a good choice in all honesty

It was more to be home to control his diabetes. He was on the road for a month at a time. So this was a career he visited years ago and decided to go into something different. Now he has committed to doing this because he wants to be home. So my question is how do we tweak his resume to focus on more of the training versus the trucking?

Ldyroscoe in Houston, Texas said: My husband is doing a career change to HVAC. He is trying to get in the commercial side of things. He has his Universal EPA certification along with the state license. How should we update his resume. He came from the trucking industry, but do to health concerns it's better for him to be home. I know Houston has tons of opportunities, but wondering how we can incorporate the change to the resume.

I don't know how he would incorporate Commercial work into his resume if hasn't done any.

stefen in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania said: If he has health issues, HVAC is not a good choice in all honesty

I agree with Stefen, it can be back breaking work at times with very long hours, if you have the on call you could be out all night.

Ldyroscoe in Houston, Texas said: It was more to be home to control his diabetes. He was on the road for a month at a time. So this was a career he visited years ago and decided to go into something different. Now he has committed to doing this because he wants to be home. So my question is how do we tweak his resume to focus on more of the training versus the trucking?

How did he get his lic so soon??? I don't know about Texas but up here in MA. you have to have 6000 hrs. before you can take the test, 4000 school and 2000 OJT or visa versa. Some Schools are only Qualified to give 2000 and some can give 4000

Ldyroscoe in Houston, Texas said: It was more to be home to control his diabetes. He was on the road for a month at a time. So this was a career he visited years ago and decided to go into something different. Now he has committed to doing this because he wants to be home. So my question is how do we tweak his resume to focus on more of the training versus the trucking?

You have to be pretty honest, HVAC isn't a trade where you can BS your way in the door. Some Cos. require that you take one of there tests just to be sure that you know what your doing. You have to remember that the door swings both ways and they will be able to tell if you know what your doing. If I could do it all over again I would do something diff., it can be a very cut throat business. At least there's a lot of work in Texas. Good Luck just the same!!!

srnjr in Randolph, Massachusetts said: How did he get his lic so soon??? I don't know about Texas but up here in MA. you have to have 6000 hrs. before you can take the test, 4000 school and 2000 OJT or visa versa. Some Schools are only Qualified to give 2000 and some can give 4000

Maybe I misspoke. He has received his EPA certification and something else from the state. It was his state registeration card. I found this forum and you all are very knowledgeable. He is focused on the commercial side of things more than residential. Prehaps a hospital facility or something like that. It would provide him with the opportunity to work nights as well.

srnjr in Randolph, Massachusetts said: You have to be pretty honest, HVAC isn't a trade where you can BS your way in the door. Some Cos. require that you take one of there tests just to be sure that you know what your doing. You have to remember that the door swings both ways and they will be able to tell if you know what your doing. If I could do it all over again I would do something diff., it can be a very cut throat business. At least there's a lot of work in Texas. Good Luck just the same!!!

Well it is no different than any other business. Trucking is very cut throat. You get wrong directions, unrealistic deadlines and no matter what it is your fault. It too is a revolving door system. But for us, HVAC will provide him with the opportunity to be home. And that's important to us, considering he has been in trucking for the past 10 years. I guess no matter what industry you are in there is BS everywhere.

You mentioned test what other tests are out there? The more information we can get, the more informed decision we can make. Again you guys, are a wealth of knowledge. This is all new to us.

as for resume. keep it to the point of knowledge, if he has done any commercial work in the past note this, and anything else under the education portion of the resume, also do not mention the trucking unless it in some way can be relavent to the job he is seeking.
It was much different for me with the whole resume thing. I work for a company that employes all guys from Germany, Switzerland,and Austria. so one large requirement is we all have to be able to read, speak, write, and understand German, as well as English. Commercial work employes the same principals as the smaller equipment, but this is where it stops. My company does only Commercial/industrial work, and we are required to hold a stationary engineers license, and universal epa license.
We are not Union, but all of the guys went through the same training in Europe 4 years in a trade high school, and then 4 years working with a journyman with a company before you can take your test to work unsupervised. We are also required to attend 16 hours of training per year to renew our ststionary engineers license, and our company send us away to school for 7 days a year for retraining, commercial thing as all else keep upgraiding and changing.
If he prefers Commercial work, try for a starting position with a commercial company, I myself enjoy it better, and actually is all i have done now for the past 21 years is commercial service.
I understand being home my is actually 4000 miles away, but i guess this is home to....good luck

Ldyroscoe in Houston, Texas said: Maybe I misspoke. He has received his EPA certification and something else from the state. It was his state registeration card. I found this forum and you all are very knowledgeable. He is focused on the commercial side of things more than residential. Prehaps a hospital facility or something like that. It would provide him with the opportunity to work nights as well.

A Facilities job in a Hospital, School or College usually requires an HVAC or Refrigeration license. What your talking about may be his Apprentice Lic. All I can say is get into a co. that can sign off the hours he needs to be able to take the test, I don't know how it works in Texas but this is the way it works here.
The state is who tells Co's that they can sign off hours, from what I was told at the HVAC School I went to it has to do with classes and training that the Co. does. When I first started in the Bus. I lost two very good jobs that paid excellent $$$$ because I had to do the 2000 OJT hrs, both were Union Jobs, they wanted to hire me but couldn't, the 10 ten Law. I don't know how they do it in Texas.
The test that I was talking about is a test that the Owner or Manager of the Co. puts together. Most of the time it's simple stuff that you should Know from the HVAC School that you went to. The last Co. that I worked for found the top guys that went to different schools and invited them to attend a two week workshop, then they tested you and picked the top two or three from the class.
The other tests are NATE which more Co's. like to see there employees have, off hand I don't know how many NATES there are but there's quite a few. I called a supply house to get prices and was told $300.00 per so it's not cheap, if your husband is lucky enough he may be able to get into a Co. that will foot the bill.
Then there's Oil Licenses and Gas Fitters, you need these to do a complete furnace or Boiler install. Good Luck !!!

stefen in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania said: as for resume. keep it to the point of knowledge, if he has done any commercial work in the past note this, and anything else under the education portion of the resume, also do not mention the trucking unless it in some way can be relavent to the job he is seeking.
It was much different for me with the whole resume thing. I work for a company that employes all guys from Germany, Switzerland,and Austria. so one large requirement is we all have to be able to read, speak, write, and understand German, as well as English. Commercial work employes the same principals as the smaller equipment, but this is where it stops. My company does only Commercial/industrial work, and we are required to hold a stationary engineers license, and universal epa license.
We are not Union, but all of the guys went through the same training in Europe 4 years in a trade high school, and then 4 years working with a journyman with a company before you can take your test to work unsupervised. We are also required to attend 16 hours of training per year to renew our ststionary engineers license, and our company send us away to school for 7 days a year for retraining, commercial thing as all else keep upgraiding and changing.
If he prefers Commercial work, try for a starting position with a commercial company, I myself enjoy it better, and actually is all i have done now for the past 21 years is commercial service.
I understand being home my is actually 4000 miles away, but i guess this is home to....good luck

Thanks for the information. Yes, after deep consideration the commercial side is better for him. He would like to do residential on the side for extra money. We figure that the commercial side offers better benefits i.e. not a small mom & pop shop. Plus the commercial side is more than just a/c. I know I'm learning alot myself about the business. It feels like I'm in school with him, just not attending the classes.

Well what I Have found from the guys working in hospitals/universities/schools in this area is this. they all seem to be related. to get those jobs around here you need to be related or know someone or you can forget it.
No testing is needed here. unless you own a company then you need a forced air license in the city which only includes installation no service, and it is openbook test from what i gather and anyone can take it if you in the business or not. union requirements are different but the local 449 steamfitters which handel hvac will not take people into apprentiship unless they have trade school and 5 or 6 years in the field. I have no idea what you do in other states
As for NATE I do not care much for it. if you cannot pass this test after 2 years of trade school, you should be ashamed of yourself. and some of the guys I know who took it have not a clue what to do in the field for the most part. But I guess some companies like you to have something to show your not a total idiot, but it is not required in this area to obtain a job, and will not be paid more if you have it.
Basacilly all he actually should have is trade school degree, and EPA license type ll at least and he will be fine BTW. EPA licence is a Federal License not a state one.
Has he attended a HVAC/R school.?

does he hold a degree in it.?

If he's looking to get into a facilities job he will need type III as most office buildings use chillers and is low pressure system. As for the testing I'm only saying that lots of Cos. will have you take a test that they have put together themselves. Not many people do like NATE, unfortunately it's headed in that direction

He has the Universal EPA certification. Yes, in my office building I plan to speak to the maintenance guys to get more information. We are primarily focusing on the commercial. He is currently attending the community college in our area. The program is about 1 1/2 year or so. He is preparing for final exams now and on to the next semester in January.

No he doesn't hold a degree. From my understanding, a BS or BA isn't really required unless you want to go into management. I could be wrong.

As a truck driver, one of his endorsements includes Hazardous Materials. I'm sure that will be an added bonus to his resume.

Theory is good but do they do any hands on at the Community College, that's when things will start to come together. Just the same he'll probably start out doing installs as most Cos. have people start there and learn Air flow and what parts go into a System. Commercial is much more involved but also more interesting, the basics are the same. If he's mechanically inclined he'll do well. Good Luck!!!

srnjr in Randolph, Massachusetts said: Theory is good but do they do any hands on at the Community College, that's when things will start to come together. Just the same he'll probably start out doing installs as most Cos. have people start there and learn Air flow and what parts go into a System. Commercial is much more involved but also more interesting, the basics are the same. If he's mechanically inclined he'll do well. Good Luck!!!

Yes, they did do some hands-on training. He has 2 more semesters to go before he will complete his certification. I think he may pursue an AA now, but how will that improve his ability to get a job. Are degreed people paid more money than the person with the certificate? Because if it really doesn't make a difference why spend the money and time?

When you say AA do you mean an Associates Degree? I've seen Building Maint. Engineer jobs that require a degree but they still ask for a certain no. of years Exp. As for is it any easier to find work with one I don't know, I think one of the other guys that posts in the Forum has a degree or two, if he's still getting these posts maybe he can give you an answer. I myself don't see how it would help but you never know, be careful of schools that will tell you diff. just to fill there seats. Get on the internet and do some searches or call Cos. or Human Resources Depts. and ask some questions on what they require and how much the payscale will differ. I'm sure they'd be more than happy to answer your questions. Sorry I couldn't be more helpful, Good Luck.

i have in the past worked with people with a diploma in HVAC and others with an associates degree, but the pay was the same,the difference is the additional cources that the state education people require you to have for the 2 years degree i.e. math, english, humanities. and the like, but in the end the guy with the diploma and the guy with the associated degree are doing the samething in the end.
Most of the maintenance engineers that i have to meet with on occassion all have 4 year mechanical engineering degrees. and they are usually the department head for the facility maintenance department.

One thing to keep in mind is this. the field of HVAC/R is not rocket science. you go to work clean and come home dirty. 99.9% of what you will learn and come to understand you will learn in the field. but you at least need schooling in it like anything. But be prepaired, when you do obtain a job with little experience you will be paid bad money, no benifits, and bad hours, and back breaking work, i know guys with 20 years in the trade getting what i just mentioned, so please keep the hopes of setting the world ablaze in reality.

Everyone have a Safe and Happy Thanksgiving

Same to you!!!

srnjr in Bridgewater, Massachusetts said: Everyone have a Safe and Happy Thanksgiving

Thanks and Happy ThanksGiving to all, have a safe and fun one.

Hello all - my husband just completed a 200 hr hands on training course in HVAC/R - needed to make a change looking for a career, not a job. He has EPA Universal Cert. So far he's had no luck finding any company that will even talk to him. They all want minimun of 2yrs exp. How can he get in the door? He's dependable, mechanically able, and is a ready to work - any ideas would be very welcome! Thanks

I would encourage him to go back to the school and talk with some of the instructors and see if they have any suggestions. They make it seem lie there is a lot of jobs out there; make them accountable and see if they can help. Who knows, they normally know a lot of people in the business and a referral from them may go a long way. Good luck!

fed-up in Sunnyside, Washington said: One more thing about going over seas , I went to vietnam on Sept 2nd till Sept 16 , no , not for any job , but to meet a wonderful girl I had met on-line , we spoke on messenger for several months , I was able to see her almost every day, but in person , she (and her family ) are the kindest , nicest people I have ever met and with any luck , we will be together soon.. My point is , we can all get along , no matter what has happened in the past!!

P.S Her being 16 yrs younger doesnt hurt either!

16 is a little young don't you think? Are you loking for a daughter or a wife?

Steve in Hallsville, Texas said: 16 is a little young don't you think? Are you loking for a daughter or a wife?

16 years younger, not 16 years old

Oh, that is perfect..Good Luck!

LAC in Houston, Texas said: Hello all - my husband just completed a 200 hr hands on training course in HVAC/R - needed to make a change looking for a career, not a job. He has EPA Universal Cert. So far he's had no luck finding any company that will even talk to him. They all want minimun of 2yrs exp. How can he get in the door? He's dependable, mechanically able, and is a ready to work - any ideas would be very welcome! Thanks[/QUOTE

What school did he go to, the reason I ask is because 200 hours doesn't seem like much. The school I went to was for 14-15 mos. and 1144 hours. That included Theory and Lab (hands on), there's so much to learn that it takes years. That may be why he's having trouble finding work, I've checked out Texas and there seems to plenty of jobs. Anyway, does the school that he went to have job placement?? How were his grades, if he did well put any certifications he received on his resume, make sure he also lists his EPA and which one he has. Times are tough out there, Ive been out of work since May and it's not looking any brighter. Good Luck !

srnjr in Bridgewater, Massachusetts said:

Wow that came out small

srnjr in Bridgewater, Massachusetts said:

It was meant to be an intensive course to get prepared for entry level jobs. The school does have job placement assistance, and has given him some leads, but none have panned out yet. He knows he will start at the bottom, just cant even get an interview. Everyone starts at entry level - so how do you get in?

Go to www.HVACAGENT.com and set up a profile, it takes a while but it's worth it. It has entry level jobs. Here's a few I took off the site to get you going. These are entry level 0-2 years. Good Luck !!!

Raymark Mechanical Inc. - Houston, TX 77032
Residential Services Group - Houston, TX 77036
Brazos Valley Services - Sealy, TX 77474
ARS Service Express/Rescue Rooter - South Houston, TX 77587

problem with Hvac Agent, is they bombard the companies with too many emails, of resumes.
Now , the companies dont even bother to check em...
In addition, Hvac Agent, will keep the same company job list open, including if the job has been filled or no longer exist, simply because the company is paying for the job advertisement .
Its a spoof kind of thing.
Btw, most jobs in Texas, or Utah, are low balling low paying jobs, because they are conservative states, and they lay people off prior to having to pay benefits, and keep rotating people that way, unless they are relatives and close friends usually, from what I have seen.
I am not real familiar with Texas, but i am almost positive its that way.
They have a big population of people out of work to choose from, and they are close to the border , where employers seem to no matter what will take advantage of that and pay low wages .
Conservative states do this, and crooked employers who wont pay a fair wage and benefits.
IMO.
Not to dismiss any other opportunities, but i am sure there are a few jobs that might be available on Hvac Agent or in Texas or Utah.
I have worked many western state jobs, and pretty much know how they pay in a few of them.
Got my hours recognized in the trade to be of a Bachelors degree by Union as of 2005 International Brotherhood.
the guys who teach the teachers in the trade to set the standards.

Good point about bombarding Cos. with Resumes but that is how I got my first job right out of school. It never hurts to have the resume sent and at the least you can get the names of Cos. and the addresses and pay a visit. It's always better to go in person if that is an option. I usually try to follow up on the Resumes that I send out but a few weeks ago a co. that I called to do a follow up got pissed. He said " Do you know how many Resumes I have on my desk to go through, I'll call you if I want to talk to you!!" Times are tough, doing anything is better than doing nothing.

BTW, hows the Pro making out anything good come you way?

Ask freinds and neighbors if they know a HVAC guy.. I have asked around at Church and some of my wives friends and have found several HVAC guys that I can call and talk with that own the business. If you can get their name and numbers and say that you are a friend of so and so it may help get you in..Just a Thought!

I beg to differ. the only states that I have seen with low wages and large turn around seem to be BLUE. here were I live the starting wage for guys right out of trade school is $15.00 per hour non union, but the fact of the matter is not meny guys going to trade school anymore, at least not here, the one fellow I spoke with told me that of his starting class of 19, two years later only 6 remained at graduation. Even the unions here cannot get their fill. The HVAC people here, with experience, can name their own price.
Another thing to keep in mind is the econimical climate is not the greatest, and the holiday season is not the time to be looking for a job even in good circumstances. Thing usually begin to pick up in the spring and you should begin to see an increase in hiring for the summer season.

Here's a link to jobs Nationwide, I know most of you have your own preferences but this one has critical needs. Doesn't hurt to give it a try.

www.gethvacjobs.com/critical-need-hvac-jobs.php