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I'm going to agree with these guys and say get some on the job training. I'm a student as well, in my 3rd semester for my Associates, but I had about 3 1/2 years in this field before I decided to further my education. A lot of the guys in my classes feel the same way that you do in that they need more schooling and labs because they feel like they haven't gone over it enough to be comfortable with it yet. Your going to learn a lot more in the field than you realize, do that for a while and then see if you want to continue your schooling. Congrats on the baby!

Much of HVAC training is done on the job, that is why it can take 5 years to make a decent technician. I've heard it's easier to get hired at the large HVAC companies, strangely enough I've never applied there.

Find the Air conditioning and Refrigeration supply houses and look on their job bulletin boards, this will help point you to who is hiring. Most of these will be looking for experienced tradesman, but then so does everyone.

What are they looking for:
Someone to show up on time.
Someone who will make a good impression for the company.
Someone who is clean, neat and are taking care of their appearance.
Someone who can deal with people.
A licensed driver who can pass a drug test and doesn't have a DUI on their record.

I started working in HVAC after 2 semesters of technical school through a community college. I was 43 at the time, prior military, and had a background in electronics and automotive mechanics. I'm technically oriented, gained a good base of knowledge in school and learned a lot through the experience of others on this forum.

Your almost done with trade school. Time to head out and see if you can get a job. Alot of HVAC companys may not be hiring but, you might want to try apartment maintenance. That is always a good place to start to get some hands on experience.

Best to get OTJT now.

I'm I going to learn that much more by spending 20,000 verses 4500? A course the 20,000 dollar school claims the I will, more machine to work on more shop time and less students. The other program is an apprenticeship with less shop time and theroy hours.

help with schooling.

I'm getting ready to finish school in June. We have been there for 9 months, I feel that there is a need for more schooling and shop time. There are 2 choice for me 1, is pennco tech that will cost around 20,000 for 18 teen mounths, and the other is a 3 year program that is 1,500 per year at camden county tech . The problem is that I'm 42 year old and have been in the trades for over 20 years and self employed. I need to make more money with my 5th kid on his way.so I'm going to do hvac in house instead having others do it for us. Please gave some feed back.
Thanks,
Jason.