Becoming a first year refrigeration apprentice

[pbw23]

I was wondering how to become a first year apprentice because it seems like everyone is looking for a 4th or 5th year apprentice and it seems impossible to become an apprentice. I could really use help with how they got into the refrigeration trade, and if they've heard of anyone near ottawa looking for a first year apprentice.

[kit352]

Im having trouble too getting into commercial. It seems like around here you start in residential, stay for a few years then reset yourself to 1st year commercial stuff. Id love to be able to find a commercial job right off the bat.

[fv_tom]

I was wondering how to become a first year apprentice because it seems like everyone is looking for a 4th or 5th year apprentice and it seems impossible to become an apprentice. I could really use help with how they got into the refrigeration trade, and if they've heard of anyone near ottawa looking for a first year apprentice.

I saw an ad for a company that was looking for all levels of apprentices. I called them up and asked if they were looking for anyone with no experience. Be persistent.

[tuba]

You may try going into restaurant work. It seems like there is always demand for it. When I graduated trade school, I was all set up to start at a large refrigeration company. Then someone saw my resume on line and offered me 7 dollars more an hour then the refrigeration company. I learned the cold and hot and everything else.....all commercial. I did some residential along the way, but mostly commercial all these years.

[2sac]

You may try going into restaurant work. It seems like there is always demand for it. When I graduated trade school, I was all set up to start at a large refrigeration company. Then someone saw my resume on line and offered me 7 dollars more an hour then the refrigeration company. I learned the cold and hot and everything else.....all commercial. I did some residential along the way, but mostly commercial all these years.

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[Greg414]

You may try going into restaurant work. It seems like there is always demand for it. When I graduated trade school, I was all set up to start at a large refrigeration company. Then someone saw my resume on line and offered me 7 dollars more an hour then the refrigeration company. I learned the cold and hot and everything else.....all commercial. I did some residential along the way, but mostly commercial all these years.

Ugh, the thought of going into local restaurants makes me sick.
This IS prob the best way, or you can start off in the residential HVAC field, and work you way into the commercial refrigeration field.
Good luck with those, old greasy units, covered in product, with dead mice behind them that never get replaced. OH and you WILL ALWAYS get emergency calls around dinner time.

[tuba]

Yes, it is all true. The restaurant work can be disgusting, but some of the things you have to figure out make you a better tech. Especially when they call you after they tried to fix it themselves, or a 'buddy' did it.

It's a strange trade off. I just left a mostly restaurant job for a really good commercial job, but I have been on more roofs in a week than I have been on all year. I would rather stay on the ground, but for the pay and benefits - I will do mostly roofs for awhile. FYI, I am 8 years into this since I graduated trade school.