What do you look for in a new tech. ? ( Your input is desperatly needed )

[timebuilder]

The biggest problem with schools is that they'll take anybody with money. There is no qualification process at all, at least not one that's worth a tinker's dang.

Consequently, the same kids that come out of school thinking that they know everything, often have no talent whatsoever for the trade.

So, if you are building a program from scratch, you better be certain about the kind of people you accept into the program if you want to have successful students.

[Cooked]

............Come learn HVAC and in 9 months you'll have a great job making tons of cash. You'll be able to have a rockin' apartment, a flashy car, and all the pussy you can handle.".............

Is it too late to sign up?

[Snapperhead]

If the candidates personal car is a Ford , he's hired on the spot.

[EugeneTheJeep]

If the candidates personal car is a Ford , he's hired on the spot.

Why?

[FL.HVAC]

The biggest problem with schools is that they'll take anybody with money. There is no qualification process at all, at least not one that's worth a tinker's dang.

Consequently, the same kids that come out of school thinking that they know everything, often have no talent whatsoever for the trade.

So, if you are building a program from scratch, you better be certain about the kind of people you accept into the program if you want to have successful students.

I will give my opinion since I went through school about 5 or so years ago. We started with a group of about 35 people and dropped 5 before theory was done in a month. Now most of these people some how or another weren't paying anything to be there ( If anyone knows please let me know) and they seemed to be there to burn time and cause aggravation in the classroom with stupid questions that were told to them in the first week. Long story short I am friends with one of my teachers still to this day and he tells me most all the students go back to him and let him know their progress in the field. Only 5 people out of 30 including myself are still in the field today. Many took interviews and because of appearance( Ink, Piercings,Gold teeth, Dreads) did not get jobs. If you can wean out the people that are there for a free ride and only take the ones that really want to be there your life will be much easier and you will have a much better job placement rate. My

[dec]

Right Attitude

[SuperChill]

Bring it on ! my students need yours tough love and complete candor if the are going to get employed out here . I you don't tell me I wont know, and I wont be able to get them employed so please-keep it coming ,from your mouth directly to my students ears !

[SuperChill]

Thanks G.T I see your in Cali. also, were in Sacramento . Thank you for you input if I am going to get these guys work I must get them ready for the real world .

[jpsmith1cm]

Reading this and remembering a few conversations that I've had with guys who WEREN'T hired...


As part of their training, have them run through mock job interviews and grade them on it.


Show them how to dress for and prepare for an interview as well as how to conduct themselves in an interview.

[SuperChill]

Employers don’t tell you why a candidate wasn't selected usually and I don’t pry because it’s their choice but it would be nice if they let me know so I can fix a student’s errors and let them know what they need to work on and avoid burning bridges with future companies for other trainees because if 1trainee doesn’t work out some employers won’t even pull potential candidates from your program anymore making it tough for future students..

[hurtinhvac]

Again...you have an impossible job. You will never produce a field ready tech. Only the field can produce a field ready tech. It would be nice if experienced techs would help, as they do here; but that is often not the case.

[timebuilder]

So.....

How will you vett prospective students to see if they are a "fit" for the program?

[Tommy knocker]

So.....

How will you vett prospective students to see if they are a "fit" for the program?

Simple. Let all the students know the first day that you have high standards and will not provide a reference to any student who doesn't meet your standards. After all its you and your program the employer is looking at to award any interview. If a student is late to class repeatedly no reference. If a student shows up to class high, drunk, or hung over no reference. Etc etc. and stick to it.

[2sac]

Make sure they are not afraid of heights or confined spaces. They need to know how to setup and climb ladders without fear.

[ADillon]

Again...you have an impossible job. You will never produce a field ready tech. Only the field can produce a field ready tech. It would be nice if experienced techs would help, as they do here; but that is often not the case.

100% truth

you are pushing a rock up hill. good luck with that. I have taught HVAC in a for profit school. It is simply an exercise is frustration. All of the attributes required are not present in each student yet you will be required to let 'unqualified' students into the program too. Students who aren't cut out for the job or who (as i have found over and over again) really have little to no interest, will slow the progress of and discourage the few students who are qualified and want to learn. Of course there aren't usually enough 'ideal' students to support a program and so the program needs those uninterested students... it's a catch 22. A foundation in basics of electricity and refrigeration cycle and all of that stuff is great but the main factor is integrity and work ethic. If you have those things you will be successful in this field. if you don;t you likely will not. Don't show up to the job 15 minutes late and then take the time to smoke a cigarette outside the door before you come in.

[ADillon]

Simple. Let all the students know the first day that you have high standards and will not provide a reference to any student who doesn't meet your standards. After all its you and your program the employer is looking at to award any interview. If a student is late to class repeatedly no reference. If a student shows up to class high, drunk, or hung over no reference. Etc etc. and stick to it.

I tried this and wound up having to take it a step furher.. if you are continually late, high, drunk, absent, don't return from break, etc... you aren't allowed to ask questions. My investment -as an instructor- in you will match your investment in the class. If you invest yourself then there is no limit to what i am willing to do to help you along in your career - reference letters, taking you out on jobs on the weekends or after class, whatever it takes BUT if you don't care enough to come to class regularly or apply yourself during the labs or show up on time, etc.. then i don;t feel the need to do anything for you but read the paragraph out of the book and grade your papers. 'Hey, teach, can i come in after school one day for some extra help. I'm just not getting it.' my response is 'that's because you don't come to class or apply yourself or care, so the answer is no.' why should i stay late to help you when you aren't even willing to help yourself?

[SuperChill]

Thanks Tommy ! I had a talk with the class and let them know the truth about what employability actually is !

[SuperChill]

No offence what so ever ! Its called keeping isht real and I need that honesty if I am going to build solid techs/people . Thanks !

[SuperChill]

Great ! stuff I am nagging the isht out of these guys from now on and I will keep on their asses and try to weed out those who are just hear filling seats .

[toocoolforschool]

Tell them to eat, drink and sleep hvac and after yrs and yrs they might understand what the hell is going on.