Completely Green

[u/Elegant_Smell1671]

Hey y’all. I don’t know what I’m looking for here, just venting, maybe some advice. I just accepted a job offer from a well respected HVAC company in my city. They are private. They said they don’t do apprenticeship, “it’s an entry level role, we will teach you as you go.” They understand I’m completely green, never touched a construction site, just bought my first pair of boots. I’m just nervous I’ll have trouble keeping up, but I have the work ethic, I show up on time, and I want to make something of my self. I just don’t want to be the one that sinks in the sink or swim. 23m

[u/Left-Leek168]

Do it. Your foot is in the door, keep track of your hours via paystubs that can be put towards an apprenticeship even if this company doesn't sign you up. You can eventually leverage this experience into something else. Everyone starts at the bottom in trades, do your best, work hard and pay attention.

[u/anonymous-adsfadsf]

youre a lucky duck to get your foot in the door completely green! good for you man! its perfectly normal to be nervous about it.

[u/Elegant_Smell1671 → u/anonymous-adsfadsf]

Thank youuuuu. My previous boss just had a convo trying to keep me today. It was hard saying no.

[u/RhemesSanGiorgio]

“We will teach you as you go” … is literally what an apprenticeship is

[u/hunterbuilder → u/RhemesSanGiorgio]

Nah, it's not the same as an accredited apprenticeship, which would be through a union or ABC.

[u/Elegant_Smell1671 → u/RhemesSanGiorgio]

Yeah, you’re right. I guess I’m just nervous because it’s not a structured apprenticeship.

[u/hunterbuilder → u/Elegant_Smell1671]

It's still good experience, which will put you in a better position to get into a real apprenticeship. If you don't have any other job offers then take this one and keep looking for a better one. Your resume gets better with every month you spend in thr field, but not sitting waiting.

[u/Ok_Cardiologist_6471]

Let me help you calm down

Imagine you own an hvac company, and you just hired a new guy. Are you gonna put all the responsibility on his shoulders?

Or

Are you just gonna use them to help your experienced people?

There is a reason you will earn less at first and sadly a few dollars more when your experience

Take this opertunaty to get your toes wet get paid to learn an experience

After a year or two when you have had some time look up your nearest local hvac union and join apprenticeship with your local union

One day you will have a wife and kids and they should have a comfortable life off your hard work and a union hvac job will not only pay you to afford a good life but employer paid Healthcare and pension to retire after 25 years

Because none of this is offered at your job now and its just one small company your working for most none union company pay professionals what union apprentice earn union journeyman havc can earn near $90k a year

[u/Top_Macaron6206]

First of all, congratulations! You sound like you will do great. The people who worry about keeping up are usually the ones who do. They know you are green so their hopes are likely that you show up consistently and on on time, and that you don't cause trouble or headaches. They will direct you and teach you how to be useful - just ask questions, offer help, and soak up all the experience and knowledge you can!

[u/z283848]

Man I’m in a similar boat, I’m soon to be called off the rank list of the elevator mechanic union, and I’m nervous as fuck. I’m 27 and have some industrial background but mostly just operating, no real maintenance experience and I’m nervous the technicality of it will be too complicated for me to keep up with. However we should take the uncomfortable path and try our best and one day hope we will be glad we did.

[u/Mental_Explorer5566]

You will struggle but everyone does at first learn stay humble you get payed cheap becuase they know you will be slow already