HVAC Prospects For Training Are Good
Many building trades – as well as other traditionally blue-collar jobs – will lose a lot of their workers in the next 10 years as the first wave of baby boomers retires. Many trades are ramping up recruitment, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics describes employment prospects for HVAC mechanics and installers as “excellent, particularly for those who have completed training from an accredited technical school or a formal apprenticeship.”
Because almost every building needs an HVAC system of some kind, there will always be a market for HVAC technicians. Existing systems break, become inefficient or outdated, or simply require routine maintenance – all of which provides a constant stream of work for HVAC techs.
The trick is to know where the work will be – and to know how willing you are to go where the work is. Once you’re trained and certified, there are several options you have.
If you want to stay in the area you’re in now, contact your local pipefitters or plumbers union, HVAC trade association, state or local job search line and help wanted ads to find prospects. If you’re thinking of moving, be sure to get in touch with these offices in your future hometown. Cities going through building booms will need more HVAC workers.
Think about the kind of work you like to do and where that work is done. Do you prefer to work on refrigerators and refrigeration equipment? Look for companies that specialize in that. On the other hand, remember that the more kinds of work you’re willing to do, the easier you are to hire.
Consider other classes or training to add to the skills you have. If you’re thinking about someday running a business, pick up an accounting class or join a small-business organization to get tips from other entrepreneurs. If you are interested in the environmental implications of indoor air quality, add a science class or look into “green” technologies. The more cross-training you can put on your resume, the more you’ll stand out.
Look at school districts, colleges universities, large plants and factories, and building management companies as possible work places. Many of these will hire HVAC technicians to keep on site as maintenance workers. It helps to have some carpentry or electrical training as well for these jobs.
HVAC workers, as with many other tradespeople, will find that their work is often cyclical. Slowdowns can follow booms, especially in new constructions. Layoffs in the building trades are not uncommon and are routine when work drops off. But workers who are able to branch out, be flexible and diversify will have better prospects.
Filed Under HVAC Careers | Leave a Comment
Tagged With
Comments
Leave a Reply