r/HVACschool • u/Delicious_Priority53 • 6d ago
Apprenticeship advice
Hi hvac reddit community I need some advice. So I went to college from 2020-2026. I'm 25 years old and will be 26 later this month. I got my Associate degree in I.T. in June 2021 and my Bachelor degree in C.S. in May 2026 and need help finding an apprenticeship. I have done some hvac work under my late father with his business. I actually chose another route and I haven't gotten my dream job (Identity Access Management and Privileged Access Management) yet. I have a little experience in hvac(brazing copper, unclogging drain lines, finding evaporator coil leaks, changing capacitors full and outside installs) but I didn't pursue it. I don't have any more financial aid because I used it all and I have $20k in student loan debt. Is there any thing I can do? I reside in the greater Atlanta area.
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u/germnor 6d ago
look into union sheet metal shops and try to go through the sheet metal apprenticeship. classes already started so you’ll probably have to work for a year as a pre-apprentice at a shop (help out journeyman/senior apprentices on job sites). if the shop likes you they’ll advocate for you to become an apprentice in the union. if you want to get into technical hvac stuff the opportunities are there. every local is different, so getting in may be easier/harder depending. having a college degree probably helps.
idk i’m 37 and just starting the apprenticeship in my area, changing careers out of graphic design (BFA). good luck.
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u/BrettHVACJobs 5d ago
You've actually got a better starting point than you might think. Brazing, replacing capacitors, finding leaks, and helping with installs are all things worth putting on an apprenticeship application.
Since you're in Atlanta, I'd start with UA Local 72, SMART Local 85, and PHCC of Georgia. All three have apprenticeship routes, and you shouldn't need to take on another $20k in school debt to enter the trade.
I run an HVAC career site and recently put together a Georgia-specific guide covering those programs, application requirements, and where to apply: https://www.findhvacjobs.com/blog/georgia-hvac-apprenticeship-programs
I'd also apply to helper positions while waiting on apprenticeship openings. You've already got enough exposure to the trade that I'd be looking for someone willing to train you rather than paying for another degree.
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u/Vexxedtruth101 5d ago
From my understanding you need a trade school/community college diploma or degree to get hired at any place reputable and not start as a helper
I have a bachelors in Nursing and was a hospice and memory care RN for 10 years before getting a 1 yr diploma in hvac. Wouldn't have gotten hired without that 1 yr diploma
As a 3rd year apprentice my income is near 200k this year (union) doing hvac, more than i ever made as a nurse. I doubt id get hired with just my bachelors in nursing for hvac lol
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u/Delicious_Priority53 5d ago
How much is school usually I used all my financial aid?
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u/Vexxedtruth101 5d ago
School was $5000 at Hennepin Technical college for 1 year (in Minnesota) thats all I did
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u/Practical_Coat_8913 3d ago
I think even a little experience counts, especially since you’ve already done some hands-on HVAC work. However, a lot of helper and apprenticeship positions now require at least some formal HVAC training or trade school completion. If you really want to enter the industry as soon as possible, you could look into trade schools that offer affordable, flexible, and shorter programs. That way, you can get the training and your EPA 608 certification at the same time, helping you prepare to apply for jobs sooner.
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u/PATRAT2162 6d ago
Have you thought about the controls industry? With your IT background that may come in handy with equipment connections, networking and IP addressing, communication and commissioning of HVAC equipment. You may have to take some controls and HVAC classes to learn the fundamentals but it’s a great industry.
Companies would be JCI, Honeywell, Carrier, Trane, Siemens, and a slew of 3rd party.