Is it time to move on?

[hawkeyehvac]

I graduated from my local community college's HVAC program in July 2011. I started soon after with the company I am currently with now. I was told it would be a temporary job with a possibilty of long term. I put my nose to the grind stone right away doing and learning as much as I could. I have been doing replacement's and new installs with a little troubleshooting and service calls. Last week, I approached my boss and his son the foreman and inquired about the possibility of getting into a formal apprenticeship program to complete and gain my journey license. They flat out said under no circumstances would they pay for me to get licensed. My wife is a disabled veteran and as such, I recieve an education bennifit that would pay for my apprenticeship and associated costs. I even offered up this option to save them some money. They still said no. I feel like I am being taken advantage of. I have more skills than the other "helpers" and have been left on my own most of the time to start and finish jobs that should have been done by a licensed person. I did not go to college to become a helper with no future opportunity to get licensed. I am wondering if it is time for me to move on. Is this a legitimate course of action or do I need to stop complaining and get back to work?
:gah:

[platchford]

You'll have to decide for yourself if it's time to move on but I do agree it's awfully suspect for them not to want to help you complete an apprenticeship program especially given the fact that you are offering a way for them to do so with little if any cost on their end.

The most important question you probably have to ask is what are your job prospects like to get hired elsewhere. You may be better off staying with this company a while longer if for no other reason than to not appear as if you can't hold down a job after completing college HVAC classes.

[dan wong]

If it was me, I know I will be looking around. However, that is me. I suggest you do some soul searching, do a realistic appraisal of yourself, then decide what is best for you.

[freemind]

A wise man once told me that you don't quit your current job until you have another job secured.

would I stay? Heck no! Get to looking but be descreet about it. Be sure your next place of emploment is offering what you are after.

[Mikey83]

A wise man once told me that you don't quit your current job until you have another job secured.

would I stay? Heck no! Get to looking but be descreet about it. Be sure your next place of emploment is offering what you are after.

x2

[coolwhip]

Here in MI, we don't have a Journeyman's card in HVAC...we have a Mechanical license.
IN order to get your HVAC license, you must work for a state licensed Mech. contractor for 3 years. Community colleges offer programs that once completed count towards 1 year in the field.
After this time, one can obtain the paper work from the state to take the mechanical exam which consists of various categories.
Your employer must sign off on the forms what categories you have been working in for those 3 years.
Then you take the state test, pass, and receive your license.


I dont understand why a boss would refuse this right to a worker. If I put in the time, and they wouldn't sign off on it, things could get ugly.

Unless they had something to hide...like not being licensed. Then I would blame myself for not covering my a$$....which is the name of the game!

Good luck to you!

[comfortdoc]

A wise man once told me that you don't quit your current job until you have another job secured.

would I stay? Heck no! Get to looking but be descreet about it. Be sure your next place of emploment is offering what you are after.

X3

[Tech Rob]

Do they understand that what you are after is a paid apprenticeship that will result in you being a journeyman tech. that can continue to work for them? It sounds more like they think you are after a contractor's license that would allow you to compete directly with them. I cannot think of any reason any employer would not sponsor a helper in an apprenticeship if they so desired, and a good program was available.

[wahoo]

Tend to agree with Comfortdoc. Look around discreetly for someone willing to help you get additional training. Sounds like you are in a "family" business and the family only wants themselves to prosper in the long run. Me? I'm 2nd generation owner but believe in the "rising water raises all boats" type approach. But then again, maybe that's why we've been successful for so long. Treat your employees like you'd want to be treated so to speak. Yeah, you need to consider a more progressive company somewhere down the road. I'd recommend staying where you're at, but quietly looking and making discreet inquires. We have 6 journeymen working here, but I have the only Master license. Good luck!

[Revolver]

Perhaps one could discreetly find out what schooling classes are required as part of the apprenticeship to be sought out, and take a class or two. Get the completion certificates to show current employer that you are serious about becoming a registered apprentice. Having made that much effort on your own behalf, the employers reaction should give you some type of feeling in your gut. Hope it is a warm and fuzzy feeling!

My apprenticeship paperwork included a years worked/hourly rate paid schedule that was signed off by all parties involved.

[hawkeyehvac]

Thanks for the comments. I plan on staying with this company till something else comes along. Most places where I live dont want to take on the risk of hiring someone and spending the $ to train them and get them licensed only to see them take off for greener pasture. I have even offered to sign a contract saying I would work for x many years for the chance to go through the apprentice program.

[SeanH]

Hawkeyehvac,
I am a vet as well and went through that apprentice/ ojt program. You can draw that benefit from the VA just as long as your boss agrees to be in the program. Its a lot of paperwork for you to do, but essentially your boss has to agree to become a "certified school" with the VA, and then every month you get a check for 2 years. After I went through the 2 yr period I interviewed a bunch of vets looking for work at the company because they were a certified school. There really isnt anything your boss has to do but to sign some papers and I think there is a 30 min sit down with a rep from the VA. But its a damn good way for him to get vets knocking at his door for work. Something to look into for sure, just make sure you keep track of your hours worked.

[StewKitts]

I kept asking my previous employer about apprenticeship in either sheet metal or refrig. Each time they said "We'll look into it." Two weeks later I asked about it again, and "Oh yeah we'll look into it."

The secretary at the front then informed me they don't like to sign people up because once they do they quit and goto another company.

[Revolver]

The secretary at the front then informed me they don't like to sign people up because once they do they quit and go to another company.

Each management has the right to operate how they wish, and there definitely was no room to grow at that employer.
Noting that you stated "former employer", I hope you are under good administration now.

[StewKitts]

My "current" good administration laid me off after busting my balls to help them meet the deadline builders gave them or get sued for not finishing working 7-5 mon-sat to reach their goal. My reward... oh sorry we have to lay you off.

Now I spend my time sending out resumes :D

[hawkeyehvac]

Found out on monday it was time for me to move on. My boss informed me that my pay would be cut from 15$ and hour to min wage. Told him I would be working to pay for my gas back and forth to work and had to quit. Dont know of anyone who could work for min wage and still drive their personal truck, use their own tools, and still make anything. :gah: :censored:

[John Markl]

I cannot think of any reason any employer would not sponsor a helper in an apprenticeship if they so desired, and a good program was available.

No kidding !! There must be some misunderstanding....

[n-e-w Jerz!]

Found out on monday it was time for me to move on. My boss informed me that my pay would be cut from 15$ and hour to min wage. Told him I would be working to pay for my gas back and forth to work and had to quit. Dont know of anyone who could work for min wage and still drive their personal truck, use their own tools, and still make anything. :gah: :censored:
holy crap, thats horrible! where do you live, Honduras????

[DLZ Dan]

Sounds like your boss is trying to keep his son paid and is having trouble making the bills. I see this a lot during the winter. Come spring you'll have some good prospects. Where do you live? Im sure there are a few people on here that may be able to help if possible.

And please thank your wife for her service.

[freemind]

Found out on monday it was time for me to move on. My boss informed me that my pay would be cut from 15$ and hour to min wage. Told him I would be working to pay for my gas back and forth to work and had to quit. Dont know of anyone who could work for min wage and still drive their personal truck, use their own tools, and still make anything. :gah: :censored:


I don't think he could legally do that.

I belive he told you that in hopes you would voluntarily quit so you couldn't claim unemployment.

[Trublshter]

It's always time to move on when your goals aren't met after there has been sufficent time for them to advance your career which should be their's as well. The "more you learn the more you earn" credo should benefit the company too. Given enough time word spreads about companies that don't advance their assets so they find less and less victims. Since I have been layed off almost 15 months myself I have learned a lot about the general consensus toward the hvac trade professionals. As much as I used to love what I did I mostly think I won't return to the trade.

[platchford]

I don't think he could legally do that.

I belive he told you that in hopes you would voluntarily quit so you couldn't claim unemployment.

I'd agree with this assessment. Also, in today's economy you could very likely claim unemployment despite the fact that you 'quit' especially since, as freemind pointed out, what the boss told you is possibly illegal. I would certainly attempt to claim it if I were you. The worst they could do is deny it.

[timebuilder]

Seek.

Find.

Get hired.

Call and say, "I'm sorry we were not able to come to an agreement. Have a nice day."

[hvac64]

Hawkeye,

Are you in Mass by any chance? I'm looking for a guy like you who WANTS. To learn. Getting tired of the guys who just want a job.

In this biz , the skys the limit for guys who learn.

Time for you to move on from this shmoe.