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I agree with poster above. Wise old hvac guy said first 5 years don't be money hungry. Be a sponge and learn then you will have the time and the know how to make the real $

To the OP,
43 is not too old to get into this trade. Think carefully before you plunge balls deep into trade school debt and ramen noodle diet. The first couple of years do not pay well. Also, your brain isn't quite as absorbent as it used to be. Don't get stressed if you have to re read things several times over.
I would be concerned about your immediate and medium term finances. My first year in the trade damn near bankrupted (residential companies) me until I got into commercial and worked like a beast to make a livable wage.

I started in the trade as a helper at 46, proceeded through my refrigeration apprenticeship, and have 12 years in at this point. Yes, it gets tough on older backs and knees, but chances are you can move up to supervisor or service manager after a while so there isn't so much demand on your body. Hit the books, ask lots of questions of experienced techs, and read every service and install manual you can get your hands on - knowledge is defintely power in this industry. As you get older, try to gradually work yourself away from the tools - you do still want to be able to golf when you retire, don't you?

No

As Bobby has mentioned, previous trade work can be recognized towards your journeyman's. I'm not 100% on how it works across the states but in Canada, if you have your journeyman's/Red Seal in a trade, they can sometimes count that towards another if you are pursuing it. My instructor at trade school was a Red Seal carpenter for 10 years before getting into Refrigeration and I think he carried over 2-3000 hours towards his Refrigeration ticket.

You did say you had experience in the trades, but do you have any documentation/tickets to back it up? Not questioning your skills but these will help your case when it comes to apprenticeship as they look for paperwork.

Where to go? That's easy, some where affordable and tropical... Florida it is. See ya soon! Just search for schools or unions that you want to join and see where they are located then make your best guess on where you want to call home

WoodnBass, you mentioned that you were an electrician? If so, you can count that time as experience, or atleast a lot of people in this business do count their time as electricians toward their experience. Truth is a lot of former electricians get into AC&R later in their careers. I've never worked with the union, but non union companies may even pay you the same you were making as an electrician. Around here there are three ways into AC&R, trade school, the military and electricians wanting to get into the business. Since most everything is electrical, except aborbtion, electricians aren't behind in this business.

Originally Posted by WoodNbass

I started in the trades in my early thirties, first as a wood finisher, then as Corian countertop fabricator and installer, then as a cabinet builder and kitchen installer, and now for three years as a commercial repair/handyman. In the last three years I have done a ton of basic plumbing and electric and faced issues more mechanical and technical in nature. I have even had some hvac issues come up...

I am currently immersed in reading Modern Refrigeration and Air Conditioning which I have been told is the "HVAC bible". All I know is that I love it and believe that this industry is where my heart is...but I am 43. I am not too proud to be an apprentice, but I don't know that I could survive the cut in pay - I don't have a family, but I am a homeowner.

Is it too late for me?

It's never too late go get it and 5 years from now you will be a Journeyman..Good luck..

Graduating from the HVAC program at Suffolk Comunity College this spring. I just turned 60 a few weeks ago. You're still a kid

Thank you...

Originally Posted by cajunhvac75

I think everyone has covered the fact that you aren't too old as long as you are motivated and fit, but your concern about making enough money hasn't been discussed. If you don't have money saved up, you will probably lose your house. Pay for entry level helpers is painfully low if you've ever made good money. If I still had my house, I would not have been able to make the notes. I've had to intentionally default on 2 credit cards in order to negotiate a stop on penalties and interest and get myself a decent payoff plan (wrecks your credit temporarily, but it was a decision that I knowingly walked into to get into this trade). Before you jump into this you seriously need to do the math to make sure you don't end up homeless with nothing but a bunch of free "Joe's AC & Heat" t-shirts to show for it. Plan on struggling for 1-3 years depending on your progression and work situation.

In my second post I did rephrase my question as to HOW could I do this? No one else has really answered that part - not that I don't appreciate everybody's encouragement. The reality for me is that I am currently working to get my house sellable so that I might escape from the state where are currently live (because of politics). If and when that happens I'll have money in the bank and no mortgage. I'll just have to decide where I want to go to be a mid-40's apprentice for a couple years.

Originally Posted by WoodNbass

Is it too late for me?

From your perspective, age may be just a number.

I think you will have a heck of a time getting meaningful employment though.

Good luck.

I started working in the trade when I was 44. Have been doing it 8 years, about to start my ninth summer. Started in residential, working in commercial for two years now. HVAC work is seasonal in many parts of the country. Commercial work is steadier than residential work. I'm getting 40 or more hours per week working commercial, I had some really slow mild weather weeks working residential. I wouldn't have been able to do it if I were the sole bread winner. The prospect of another year with a couple of mild weather weeks drove me to commercial. Many companys hire during the summer and fire to thin the herd during the fall.

Had a co-worker with 20 years experience go to work for a school system to gain stable income.

I think everyone has covered the fact that you aren't too old as long as you are motivated and fit, but your concern about making enough money hasn't been discussed. If you don't have money saved up, you will probably lose your house. Pay for entry level helpers is painfully low if you've ever made good money. If I still had my house, I would not have been able to make the notes. I've had to intentionally default on 2 credit cards in order to negotiate a stop on penalties and interest and get myself a decent payoff plan (wrecks your credit temporarily, but it was a decision that I knowingly walked into to get into this trade). Before you jump into this you seriously need to do the math to make sure you don't end up homeless with nothing but a bunch of free "Joe's AC & Heat" t-shirts to show for it. Plan on struggling for 1-3 years depending on your progression and work situation.

My cousin left a great manufacturing job at 45 to jump into HVAC 5 years ago. I'll give you the same advice I have him. Do it. But steer towards service. Avoid install work if you can. Very hard on the body and we, I'm 42, ain't as nimble as we once were. He is in a service truck for a reputable company making good money and loves it.

lol, im 55, still doin what i love, i run our sales and install on the retro side, still go out and install one in an emergency, and the youngsters STILL cant keep up, because after 25 years in trade, im methodical, always think ahead, skilled and above all else, Love what I do, still drive my 1/2 ton toolbox, and at times fix a unit at a sales call instead of selling them, no charge as i keep a stock of old caps and such on my truck, i think the trade gets easier and as long as my body holds out, ill be good!. Good Luck to You!

I started HVAC school last summer at the age of 50. I recently turned 51. You're never too old. I'm enjoying school, learning a lot, and looking forward to a new career. I too, am a cabinet/countertop man from the past. I've built custom furniture, cabinets and countertops, including corian. I'm a carpenter by trade, and can hold my own in electrical and plumbing. I'm finding the transition into the HVAC field very easy and very comfortable.

With all your other skills you could even do apt maintenance work which requires a/c and elect also. Some of those jobs pay decent. Here they pay 40-60k a yr. I did that for awhile and had my own company also. Gave me time to build up customers. Another advantage was you always had time to expierment and if you accidentally screwed up it didn't cost you anything. As everyone knows some maintenance guys make mistakes.

We hired two people about 5 years ago: one with 27, one was 40. The one who was 40 was a painter, carpenter, mechanic, worked for the railroad, previously. The one who was 27 was a security guard. Needless to say, we kept the one who was 40 and he's a great installer now. So go for it! I will say, however, since he was the youngest installer experience wise, whenever we had a crawl job we had our "old man crawl boy" on it...so be prepared for something like that.

Originally Posted by WoodNbass

I started in the trades in my early thirties, first as a wood finisher, then as Corian countertop fabricator and installer, then as a cabinet builder and kitchen installer, and now for three years as a commercial repair/handyman. In the last three years I have done a ton of basic plumbing and electric and faced issues more mechanical and technical in nature. I have even had some hvac issues come up...

I am currently immersed in reading Modern Refrigeration and Air Conditioning which I have been told is the "HVAC bible". All I know is that I love it and believe that this industry is where my heart is...but I am 43. I am not too proud to be an apprentice, but I don't know that I could survive the cut in pay - I don't have a family, but I am a homeowner.

Is it too late for me?

Well, Lets see,

I hope 43 is not to old.

I just turned 44 today.
I am in student debt up to my eyeballs, and Currently in HVAC school fulltime.
I consider this my last shot at a meaningful trade.
Yes i have lived my life in the "other building trades".

I dont think our age, (early 40's) should be a bad thing. We have much to offer an employer.
lots of background experience. And we not to old to learn new tricks.

By the time i have my 5 years base experience in this trade, i will be 49 years old. thats still time enough to be good and viable in this field. (i plan on working until i am 60).

The money i make from this trade is all going toward a house boat, minus the expense of student loan repayment. so thats all down the road. i not even thinking of down the road

the work load of school is all i am living breathing and eating HVAC. As you will be as well if your going to school.

Go for it with gusto. Study hard. and give it your all.

being a carpenter, laborer, truck driver,ditch digger and all around handy man has been paying me the same $10-$12 hour for years now.
no reason starting the same wage as an apprentice in HVAC, a specialized trade, cant be beneficial in the long run. the wage can only go up from there.

I know there is money to be made in this trade. right now i try not to think about the dollars, I am in learning mode. not earning mode.

I study out of the same book as you. 7th edition.

Best of luck to ya.

B

Wood you are old.... Lol
Ok.. Im 43 also but I got 24 years in it.
My advice as long as u keep fit
Hit the gym.
My installer is over 50, but he is in great

You can work for school district, city
They just do the service stuff,easy and light work.

Working for service company is a lot more physical

Hit the books hard and ask a lot of questions here
Know your technical stuff really good and you'll be ok

Good luck old man..lol.