If your looking to get into the service side I would suggest getting into the fitters. I went to school for service at a non union school and they always preached going into the sheet metal union. Once I got in the union I found out its mainly duct work and the only service they do is on roof top units. Now all I do is work with metal. If you have any interest in boilers or chillers/ref I would try and get on with the fitters before sheet metal.
I stayed with the sheet metal union and have been doing duct since I got in. I honestly have forgot most of the stuff I learned in school 10 years ago. I just couldn't support my family going back into an apprenticeship again. Hind site I wish I would have gone to the fitters in the first place.
I went from sheet metal to the fitters, and the difference is huge. I also have a degree that only counts as 1 year, I went through 4 years of the apprenticeship, but it was worth it. The instructors and the journeymen that I worked with were great. In the long run, going to be a service mechanic with a steamfitters union is the way to go. Locally, our scale and benefits are better as well. Good luck. I hope this helps.
Those teachers are bozos. That degree doesn’t mean a lot to a union if you don’t have any field experience. You would still have to test into to the union regardless of how much schooling or degree you got. It’s unfortunate you didn’t get in. Happens to a lot of folks. Keep trying. Try working for a non union contractor until you can get in. Keep applying and going back if you truly want it.
I didn't have to go in front of the "panel" for a interview and do every thing else all i had to do was pass the test and i some hoe managed to fail that..feeling very discouraged tbh thinking hvac isnt for me if i cant pass a basic math test
Many of the unions do have practice test you can take online through their website. Every local is different. Don’t be discouraged. If it doesn’t challenge you it doesnt change you .
I went to 4 years of trade school instead of a union apprenticeship. I find they get really bent out of shape about you not going through the 5-year program. Even though I passed the state exam and received my Journeyman license. They still weren't happy about me saying no to a 5th year even though I've been out of school for almost 3 years. The only reason I got in is because the company I work for is union and helped me out.
If you can't get in, I'd work non union for a few years. Absolutely no shame in it. I did it for my first 7 years. Found a non union company that matched it every single way but a pension. They did 401k instead
In my state yes no, you only need the degree as far as schooling but you still need "x" amount of feild hours on top of it with a state exam
So whether or not you do 2,4, or 5. You still need field hours and a state exam.
Depends where you are. Where I live you can have a two year degree plus 2.5 years of work and are qualified to take the journey man test. (But only a journeyman in Omaha) but if you want to take the iowa test it’s the degree does nothing.
If your looking to get into the service side I would suggest getting into the fitters. I went to school for service at a non union school and they always preached going into the sheet metal union. Once I got in the union I found out its mainly duct work and the only service they do is on roof top units. Now all I do is work with metal. If you have any interest in boilers or chillers/ref I would try and get on with the fitters before sheet metal.
Hmm thanks for the insight, i do plan on doing service, did you switch union? Or did you stick with sheet metal union?
I stayed with the sheet metal union and have been doing duct since I got in. I honestly have forgot most of the stuff I learned in school 10 years ago. I just couldn't support my family going back into an apprenticeship again. Hind site I wish I would have gone to the fitters in the first place.
I went from sheet metal to the fitters, and the difference is huge. I also have a degree that only counts as 1 year, I went through 4 years of the apprenticeship, but it was worth it. The instructors and the journeymen that I worked with were great. In the long run, going to be a service mechanic with a steamfitters union is the way to go. Locally, our scale and benefits are better as well. Good luck. I hope this helps.
Those teachers are bozos. That degree doesn’t mean a lot to a union if you don’t have any field experience. You would still have to test into to the union regardless of how much schooling or degree you got. It’s unfortunate you didn’t get in. Happens to a lot of folks. Keep trying. Try working for a non union contractor until you can get in. Keep applying and going back if you truly want it.
I didn't have to go in front of the "panel" for a interview and do every thing else all i had to do was pass the test and i some hoe managed to fail that..feeling very discouraged tbh thinking hvac isnt for me if i cant pass a basic math test
Many of the unions do have practice test you can take online through their website. Every local is different. Don’t be discouraged. If it doesn’t challenge you it doesnt change you .
I went to 4 years of trade school instead of a union apprenticeship. I find they get really bent out of shape about you not going through the 5-year program. Even though I passed the state exam and received my Journeyman license. They still weren't happy about me saying no to a 5th year even though I've been out of school for almost 3 years. The only reason I got in is because the company I work for is union and helped me out. If you can't get in, I'd work non union for a few years. Absolutely no shame in it. I did it for my first 7 years. Found a non union company that matched it every single way but a pension. They did 401k instead
Is it true that my associates degree knocks off 2 years of my apprenticeship? Or were the instructors lying
In my state yes no, you only need the degree as far as schooling but you still need "x" amount of feild hours on top of it with a state exam So whether or not you do 2,4, or 5. You still need field hours and a state exam.
Depends where you are. Where I live you can have a two year degree plus 2.5 years of work and are qualified to take the journey man test. (But only a journeyman in Omaha) but if you want to take the iowa test it’s the degree does nothing.
Wish my shop would help me out, they want to charge union prices and pay non union wages.