Job Training

[sdale9585]

I would like an opinion on something.

I am looking at a career change and had every intention of attending college for an associates degree in HVAC, I have 18 transferable credits so I could complete the program in less than 3 semesters.

Recently I was offered a position as a 4 year apprentice and now I am debating which one to do.

In you opinion would I be better attending college or the apprenticeship. If I do attend college would I start at a higher position and pay.

[21degrees]

College I would think.( did I spell collegeright) This trade is good but I think if I could go back and do over I woulkd have picked college.

[beenthere]

Do the apprentinceship.
Then get your associates degree later.

You'll learn things in the apprenticeship that you won't learn in college.

[Tech Rob]

The apprenticeship, for several reasons.

An apprenticeship is, by definition, a combination of classroom training and real-world applied training. Because you have the opportunity to practice what you learn in practical, uncontrolled situations, your retention of the information will be significantly higher.

An apprenticeship typically is of little or no cost to the apprentice themselves. Who would want to spend thousands of dollars on a degree in something before working a day in that particular profession? You may hate it, and it's better to find out now, rather than 2 years and a couple thou down the line.

Frankly, an apprenticeship will get you much farther with employers in this trade than an associates, because you have practical experience in addition to formal education.

There are many accredited apprenticeship programs that offer transferrable college credits upon completion.

A degree does not guarantee employment. An apprenticeship requires employment, or at the very least implies it. There has to be an employer sponsor. Almost all apprenticeships have wage scales that correspond to each year, so raises are guaranteed as you progress through the course.

Either one would be a good way to start off a potentially rewarding career, and maybe I'm a little biased, but I think the apprenticeship is an opportunity you shouldn't pass up.

[Morrison]

you need both,but i would start with the apprenticeship so you could get the fill of the work to see if you would like, it not for everyone and you can earn as you learn

[Joe Cool]

A degree does not guarantee employment. An apprenticeship requires employment, or at the very least implies it. There has to be an employer sponsor. Almost all apprenticeships have wage scales that correspond to each year, so raises are guaranteed as you progress through the course.



I think this sums it up quit nicely.

The whole reason you are considering college is to get a job in the HVAC field. Right?

Take the job while you have the chance. Otherwise you may just find yourself wasting time and money going to college only to find that there is no job waiting for you.

Having a degree with no actual working experience in the field means very little to employers. Not only that, but a 4 year apprenticeship makes it sound like a union job. You will not be able to beat the wages and benefits that they offer.