starting out in this trade

sixxgunner3 · July 28, 2008, 09:10:34 PM

I have had my G2 for about 4 months now, and i have been unemployed for about 16 months. i think its really sad that no one will hire you unless you have experience. this is total bullshit. how the hell am i suppose to get experience if no one will hire me?? this trade is garbage. i have applied at about 95 places, i have called each and every one of those places back and got a " no thanks " because i had zero experience. it isnt that hard to figure out how to run gas lines and change filters.i actually had one place in the Falls call me back and they offered me $9.00 an hour. are you kidding me? im not some high school kid who lives at home with mom and dad!! for all of you in the trade, good for you and i hope you are succesful, for all of those looking to get in the trade, dont bother, become a structural engineer or a nurse. this is my rant about this trade, if you dont like it, too bad.

34gtp · July 29, 2008, 12:27:15 AM

Yeah, I basically have to agree with you, I have a G2 as well. I went into the schooling because a friend of the family told me 100% he would hire me no problem. Well guess what, 3rd week in he goes "sorry" lost some contracts no more work thats it no more contact. Unless you have a job lined up 200% or your company paying for it, try something else.

KMG1979 · August 13, 2008, 11:33:58 AM

Wow I'm looking to get into it. Can't you go to a local union and apply there?

Man this sucks.

TECH X · August 14, 2008, 08:28:23 PM

I live in the Ottawa area myself. I finished college in 1997 and it took me almost 6 months to get on with someone, at the time I had a G2 temporary. (It's different now.) This trade definitely has its slow and busy times. Back then I started out at around $9/hr. I worked mostly as an installer's helper, then I moved into light service, doing planned maintenances ect...

This trade requires competency. You will not succeed if you are untrained, unknowledgeable or inexperienced. I feel sorry for any employer who thinks they can pay a G2 $9/hr and run a successful business. It won't happen. Don't waste your time with employers who think like this. A G2 with no experience should make at least $13 - $15/hr.

A residential service technician with G2, ODP, and 313D certification can earn over $100,000 a year in wages and commission, if they are a selling technician. This trade can be very rewarding if you stick with it, and become good at your job. Learn the code, learn how to find defective heat exchangers. Most importantly, learn how to troubleshoot. Sadly the HVAC courses out there don't do much to prepare someone who is starting out in the trade. I would never go to school for this trade if I had to do it again. I would have just taken a crash course and challenged the exam. Most courses in Ontario, don't even integrate TSSA's Director's Orders into their curriculum. I see alot of people finish their schooling, and not be up to date on codes, simply because the people teaching the courses aren't up to date.

My advice would be to visit the HVAC wholesalers in your area. There are usually bulletin boards filled with job offers. There are many employers who want that "green" employee with NO experience, and with a good attitude. I much rather train someone with a good attitude with no experience, then try to explain to someone with "experience" and a bad attitude, how to unlearn all the crap they think they know, and actually do the job properly.

We're into a slow time for sure right now. Don't get discouraged. Try to get on as an installers helper. Learn the codes. Learn the sequence of operation. Then get into service.
Companies like Direct Energy are a good place for a new employee to start out with. They usually offer good training. And the experience you would get from a company like that will be greater than anywhere else. Just leave once you have the experience, or you will probably end up pulling your hair out. 1-888-HEADACHE

Good luck fellas!

charlie_101 · December 08, 2008, 10:15:03 PM

hey sixgunner......this trade does blow and it does suck that u havent been able to find a job......i have been working for 8 months and i find that the worst part of this trade are ppl that are so impatient with new ppl....it just sucks being a little bit*ch and no matter what takin other ppls bad attidues cause ur a rookie....does anyone find this to be true?

charlie_101 · December 08, 2008, 10:22:30 PM

SORRY BUT I DO HAVE A LOVE/HATE REALTIONSHIP WITH THIS TRADE BUT I DO FEEL THAT PPL IN THIS TRADE ARE REALLY IMPATIENT AND ACT GRUMPY......

Admin · December 09, 2008, 12:15:55 PM

You should try to put yourself in their shoes. Why would anyone want to work slower and longer to train someone? Most people aren't compensated for putting in extra time to train someone.
It's frustrating to see people compete a 2 year HVAC course and not know how to do anything.

I see your point though, my only advice would be to never forget... You might be doing the training one day.

matty_p · December 15, 2008, 06:27:53 PM

I hear ya, I finished my Millwright pre-apprenticship and all that got me was cleaning offices and sweeping the machine shop floors and once in awhile fixing machines. The best part about it was the company claimed i was getting hours for my apprenticeship, after a few months i found out they never registered me as an apprentice. That shit hole was the only place that would hire me, same thing no one wants to hire someone that green.
So, i went to school and got my G2. Now I have a job doing commercial gas piping and I really like the work, but I haven't had a 40 hour work week in almost a year. I'm sick of being poor and no one will hire me cause the only hvac experience i have is piping (which i kick total ass at).

I don't understand it, everyone says to go with the skilled trades. Why? There's no work for enrty level people.

Zzz · December 21, 2008, 10:44:38 AM

I got into this trade in a somewhat different way I took a pre-app for sheet metal then worked for 6 months making stoves, I thought tin bashers did that kind "o" thing. Then I found HVAC, so I insulated duct for a long while. For these I got paid poverty wages, but as I moved along I got expirience. It took me 6 years to get my TQ in sheet metal. I then grandfathered in gas, moved onto refrigeration and studied electronics at home, I now read everything I can find on HVAC to try and keep up with inovations.I am now the highest payed employee in my company.
The thing is my employer will not give me someone to train. This will be the death of him when I quit and start my own company.
As for trying to get work find a company that has planned service, since all you do there is clean furnaces, and ride them for a job. It might not pay much but, it does get you expirience (priceless.)
And it makes you farmiliar with the different makes. After a year or so you'll be getting the wage you want. I also feel it is best to show up at a business between 8;30 and 9 after boss man gets the guys out the door, and ask to talk to him personally, do a little on line reaserch into the company so you know something about them before you get there. And check into the court records to find out if they are an upstanding outfit, you can get that info on line too.