Mahwah NJ - Lincoln Tech

http://www.lincolnedu.com/campus/mahwah-nj

---I have not attended this school---

I have worked with 2 guys from lincoln tech, They were two of the most worthless techs I have ever seen. They felt as though they should be respected and trusted, but they couldn't earn respectr by producing - fixing most anything. They said they felt ill-prepared for their job after graduating, they both said they had about 16,000 (if memory serves) in debt at the end of their time there. They were promised help finding a job, and received little. they got work through an acquaintance. I really felt for them, and one has since progressed, and is able to hold down a job in the trade (They bothe were eventually fired, I lost track of the other one) but I don't know how good he turned out, can't be any worse than a laborer lerning though exposure i suppose.

The following quote seems to indicate this may not be an isolated case, He also graduated from this school:

I emailed 2 diff, unions (hoping to hear from them),fax many resumes out,called a few places (10 so far. 2 of them were pissed that i even asked,1 said i should only fax the diff companies so that they can look it over when they have time,3 or 4 said call back in the spring,

1 guy laughed at me as soon as i said where i went to school then hung-up,1 guy said he would never hire a person from that school

and the last person offer 5$ off the books and said that i shouldn`t expect to learn from them because they wont let me work on anything - i would just be cleaning,fetching,etc.). I told the last one no thanks nicely. i will keep trying calling diff places but dam it seems even for helpers they want people with field work (not 2 hard to find illegal aliens around that they can pay them 5$ hr and they already have worked in the field ). Thanks

In short I would avoid this one if possible.

 

..."The Field".....

 

Those who say "The field" only are missing something.

Between the two, Practical experience is more valuable than book learning. However, your book learning will make your practical experience exponentially more valuable.

It is not one or the other that is the issue.

For those who are inclined to go to school which one should they pick?

Please Include something concrete about a specific school.

Please put a location and a school in the title line, for searchability.

 

Check out http://www.therefrigerationinstitute.com/ you will be surprised.

 

THat looks pretty spiffy!!

DId you go?
How much did it cost?
Where is the campus?
Good training?
Would you recommend it?

 

I have not been, but if I had it to do all over again - I'd join the unions program & work through it. OTJ / classroom experience, paid to be there, and gaining employment history in the field. I'd leave your Licoln Techs, ATIs, & Communtity College programs alone, not that they're bad, JMHO.

 

Which union? Where? How do you get in? WHy do you like it? WHat is the cost? Good quality training?

 

Well is it not true that everyone who is fresh out of school is pretty close to worthless, Trade school teaches you the basics, such as identifying the diffrent components, the refrigeration cycle, getting your EPA, etc. As far as being helped with finding a job..... shouldnt the student get up off his ass and look for jobs himself or should the school hold your hand through that process aswell. I think its kind of unfair to judge someone straight out of school just because they cant fix something and need assistance. Now if you have someone who keeps blowing up the same thing over and over again then thats when i would call someone worthless, All Trade schools are the same, you can only learn so much, the real experience comes from hands on.

 

New York, NY - TCI

I worked with a fella that attended this school. He was VERY Green, but could at least keep up with what was happening technically. Being green is to be expected, he did very well for a newbie. He said he enjoyed the experience, and described a lot of hands on labs, and trips to see large equipment in action that really helped him.

I don't have any stats on the cost, I didn't attend this school.

I would reccommend it from what I know.

 

numbawunfela, i think this post is a great idea, hopefully it will help people to advoid the bad schools out there. Just wished it was started 2 yrs ago, before i went to LTI.

 

I think I qouted you earlier in the thread, but if you would like to vent about your experience, this is where the next new guy will likely find it.

 

From what i have seen out there and know of the industry I think i would recommend Ferris State in Michigan to someone new to the trade they have a 2 year and 4 year program to prep you for more of the technical side or engineering. I hope i can continure my education soon and transfer my 2 year degrre from the local Community college there to try and get their 4 year degree I understand they will do that and have most of your classes via Internet except for some lab time during the summer.

I strongly recommend someone get a job first and work at it a year before deciding to go into debt 10 or 15 grand to find out that they don't even like it, this will also give you a heads up and allow you to apply theory to hands on stuff you do at work.

This is how I did it and I must say most of the ppl i went to class with that wasn't working in the field waisted their time and money as most of them I don't think even got a job and they when you do entry level salary is pathetic in most areas. At least if your working while you go to school, you have a shot to not be in as much debt and by the time your done with school this way you will have 3 years exp and 2 years education and should have your head wrapped around the way most Residental & Light comm. equipment work and should be able to reapair it and install it. I know this sound like the rough way but in 3 years time of eating breathing and living this stuff it should give you close to 5 years worth of exp if not more and you should be at least making 40 grand a year at this time......

Most important not, YOU GET BACK WHAT YOU PUT INTO IT!!!!!

 

Bronson Tech (Anahiem,CA)

My husband attended this school and got out green the education was fine but I think with any education it depends on the individual who's attending how good they will be when they get out and how much they learn. Most of the programs have the same type of basic training as far as I can tell. Here is the reason I would not utilize that school, as promised like most techs trying to get into the field he was told they would help with job placement after graduation. Well when he graduated there weren't any positions they had available so he was told to try on his own to find positions and they would assist him in getting one the positions he found, to bring in his contacts and resume they would look over his cover letters and help him curtail it to the different companies he was applying. After a week of legwork on his part to round up 25 companies that were looking to hire newbies he went to the school and gave them the information. They told him to come back in a couple of days and pick up his prepared information so he could apply for the positions. Well he comes back in a few days as per their request picks up his stuff and start to go apply. Every company he went to on the list he gave them had already had multiple graduates from his school apply and the positions had all been filled by people from his school. So if you want to get screwed over attend this college because he knows a few other guys that went there after him and had similar types of experiences.

Oh by the by this was before internet so he physically went to these companies and heard it first hand.

umyeah

 

Its not called Bronson, its name is Brownson Technical School and i have to disagree with what your stating, Don and his sons are very nice people who tell you the truth upfront, they will ASSIST you in getting a job, creating a resume for you and they will fax your resume out, on top of that they will say good things about you when these companies call for a reference. How about Patty from accounting who does what she can to get you a grant or whatever loans you may need, she helped me out with my GI bill, I had hands on with their equipment, its about how much you put in, I know of guys who went through this cool and studied the bare minimum, only received C grades, and then *****ed when they were in the field because they didnt get it, started blaming the school and so on. Even though i came in the evenings from 6pm to 9:30pm whenever i could i would come in a hour or two early so that i could either study or practice with their old or new equipment. I gave it 110 percent. Their classes are at a fair price as well.
The website is www.brownsontechnicalschool.com

Is it not true that you also have to put certain effort your self to get your self a good job, I started applying for jobs the a month before i graduated and found a job a week before receiving my diploma. I dont even think that people who go to universities, and graduate are handed a diploma and a job on the spot, im pretty sure that these people got up of their a$$es and looked for a job.

So your husband received a education that was fine but him feel you got "screwed" because they did not hold your hand and find you a job, that does not make any sense.

What else do people want now a days...... problaly to have their food chewed and fed to them.

 

I am very glad you had a good experience with that school how ever we did not my husband education was good and he worked very hard at the school to get as much out of it as he could but at the time he attended there 17 years ago they didn't help him to get a job at all and took advantage of him that was our experience maybe now it has changed not sure but in my opinion the trade school is not as important as the student.

Oh and sorry for the wrong name of the school thank you for the correction.

 

Air Force
Ferris State MI

 

Wha?



I don't get it.

 

Only place to go.....

I attended Ferris State University and graduated in 1981. The best hands on training in a school enviroment I have ever been associated with. Would love to be able to go back for their 4 year degree, but that is not possible at this time. 20yrs of military training and experience along with my education from Ferris has really helped me. I still have all my labs, reports, books and anything i did back then with me. The best decision I ever made was to attend Ferris and I would place the learning there above anybody else.

 

United States Navy
Hull Technician
A division
Try to get on a Repair ship or Tender

 

I don't think anybody has mentioned Oklahoma State Tech. Institute in Okmulgee, OK. It has been 23 years since I graduated but they had a great program. A lot of guys in my class were from TX, OK, AK, CA, even a couple guys from Saudi.
Was geared more towards Residential, but they had a great electrical and basic refer. class. They worked on the basics and hammered that into you.
Once you get the basics learned you can go anywhere and do anything, after getting some OJT. You won't walk out with your diploma and fix the world. You will still have a lot to learn, and will continue to learn new things everyday that you work in the field.
We had 10-12 people in our Grad class and had around 20 job offers, and interviews before we graduated. Everybody that wanted a job had one.

Now, Okmulgee is not exactly the Mecca of excitement, but if you don't want to be distracted with extra cirricular activities and concentrate on your education it is the place to be.

 

heres where i go http://www.perrytech.net/hvac.html

 

perry tech -- Yakima, WA

Thanks for the Good posts guys!



How did you like it?
How much did it cost?
How was the training?
How long did it take?
Did they help you get a job?
Would you reccomend it?

 

Hill College

I went to Tarrant County College in Ft. Worth Texas. Graduated in 1980. It is a good school and I learned a lot. I was working in the business when I started school. I have never found it to be a problem finding a job in this area. Once I got my degree and 1 year experience I never had to look for a job again. Most jobs found me. There is plenty of oppurtunity in this business since you can work any where in the universe. The only bad things that I have heard from employers about Lincoln Tech or Devry's graduates is that they are good on the one brand that they learned on. Stick them on another brand and they are lost. I have been in the business for 31 years and my degree has opened a lot of doors for me. I have been teaching at Hill College now for 7 years. We are a community college and have a one and two year program. We are fully accredited and are accepted for transfer to Ferris State and most other universities. We have an excellent program and follow Partnership for HVAC/R Accreditation guidelines. We are hoping to apply for PAHRA accreditation this school year. Tarrant County has about 30 students per class whereas we have about five students per class. It costs about $4000.00 to get your degree here. We have all kinds and brands of equipment to train on and we go to businesses that have other equipment to look at. We also have a coop program where students can ride with a tech and learn first hand. The only problem that I have had in placing students is if they get into a good job before they finish they don't come back. Most of the employers encourage them to finish school but you can only lead a horse to water, you can't make him drink. I have found that in the community college setting the instuctors want you to be successful and will help you immensly. I encourage my students to ride with me when I go on calls. You will get out of your education what you put into it. Ask lots of questions. If I am asked the same question a hundred times I will answer it a hundred different ways until it makes sense and the student understands it. We continue to help and encourage our graduates for as long as they need us. I encourage everyone to go to school and go as far as they can, education all ways looks good on a resume. Any time that you attend any kind of class that gives you certificate make sure that you let supervision know about it and get a copy put in your personnel file. In this area some of our graduates are union, most aren't. The pay and benefits are about the same. The unions here make every one go through their program even if they are state licensed. I attended a seminar at Ferris State and their new A/C building is awesome. I am hoping to take some of their A/C classes on line myself. Here are some helpful websites:
www.hillcollege.edu
www.tccd.edu
www.ari.org
www.pahra.org
www.hvacinstituteferris.edu

Good luck and welcome to the most interesting field there is.

 

Ferris State
Okmogee in Oklahoma
Texas State Technical College - Waco, Texas

 

Blackhawk Technical College
Janesville WI
Two Year Associates Degree HVAC/R
Cost $7000 Two yrs books and tuition.
Good focused instruction from two experienced instructors.
Done with first semester starting second will be competent to learn further when starting new career.
Guaranteed a job upon graduation or sooner, I want my degree first.

 

Here's a good one

Southeast Community College Milford Campus
2yr Associates of Applied Science Degree in Air Conditioning Technology
Fully accredited College Courses
Nate Certified
97% job placement upon graduation.
Great School for the money. Takes approximately a year and a half for the degree.

 

Mt. SAC

Well i'm new to this forum, just stumbled upon it and think it's pretty awesome!

I live in So. Cal and attended Mt.San Antonio College, which I thought was pretty good, with great instructors. I don't have anything to compare it to so I can't obviously rank it. They do however have a brand new building dedicated to HVAC/R, so it's definately a step up since I was there.

One of the best schools I was told by my instructors was Ferris State univ. in michigan, and of course I regret not listening to the instructors and going there to complete the four year program........but, life happens!

 

http://www.rsiaz.edu/

It is the effort that you put into it. I went here and would recommend this school to any one.

 

Thanks for the input guys!

Please don't forget to give specifics about how they trated you and the cos and such. that wouldn't be on a website.

Also if you had a crappy experience, please warn your fellow tradesmen (or prospective tradesmen )

It seems like Ferris state has made quite a reputation for itself if they are talking about it in CA...

Four years seems like a long program though. Anybody care to elaborate on whether you get a Bachelors Degree or Associates, if you can take an excelerated version.... If Bachelors, is it an engineering equivalent.

I betcha somebody already posted that....

 

Bristol, Pa - Bucks County Technical High School

We're only 15 classes in, so I don't know how much of my opinion you want to listen to. But I'm taking the adult evening course that's 50 weeks long and starts each October. I had absolutely no understanding of HVAC and yet I'm pretty confident I've grasped nearly everything we've gone over so far. The course is around $500 and you also need to pick up a copy of Modern Refrigeration, which is $60 from the school. We'll spend half the course on refrigeration and the other half on heating. The instructor asked the class to write a bit about what they want from the class - what they're knowledge is of HVAC, what they want to do with the class, and what types of systems they might want to end up working on so he could tailor the course for the class.

The school in no way will aid you in getting a job. It is a technical high school during the day, so there's no aid for the adults to my knowledge.

 

We're only 15 classes in, so I don't know how much of my opinion you want to listen to. But I'm taking the adult evening course that's 50 weeks long and starts each October. I had absolutely no understanding of HVAC and yet I'm pretty confident I've grasped nearly everything we've gone over so far. The course is around $500 and you also need to pick up a copy of Modern Refrigeration, which is $60 from the school. We'll spend half the course on refrigeration and the other half on heating. The instructor asked the class to write a bit about what they want from the class - what they're knowledge is of HVAC, what they want to do with the class, and what types of systems they might want to end up working on so he could tailor the course for the class.

The school in no way will aid you in getting a job. It is a technical high school during the day, so there's no aid for the adults to my knowledge.

Modern Refrigeration And Air Conditioning has 47 mistakes in the first 3 chapters. A better book is Refrigeration Technology by Whitman, Johnson, & Tomzack

 

Hey Almond Eyes are the classes everynight or 2 days a week? $500.00 sounds great, i wish there was something like that in milford, PA. I spent 21,000+interest and still have no job, despite that there say job placement for life (what a lie!!!). It sounds good that the teacher is willing to work the course to what you guys/gals want. I would ask some of the people here (that work in the field) what they think is the most important stuff that you should know and ask the teacher to teach that.

 

It's Tuesday and Thursday nights from 7-9:30. And it only runs in the fall - starts the 3rd or 4th week of October. It's a good course. I didn't know anything at all, yet I applied for a job yesterday that made me take a little test during the application process. The girl told me hardly anyone does well on the test, but I KNOW I got at least a third of the questions right just from stuff gone over in class (and we're only 22 of 50 classes in). Some of them I had no clue about and the rest I used logic.

 

trade school

I went to a trade school and found that you get what you put into it. I was surrounded by a lot of people who didn't care about learning the industry but found that the material was pretty good. I have found that the best tech is one who understands the fundementals. I have a company with 14 employees and growing. We are in the medical repair industry working on cascade, ultracold units. It is often hard to find good techs. I will tell you I will not hire anyone that doesn't have some kind of formal training. I have interviewed guys that are in the union and who also have been to trade school. My conclusion is that I have techs who have learned from either forem and both can be as good or as bad as the other. I will tell you uniion is not the only way to go at the sametime I do believe the training is good at union schools but rewards lazy people as well as the hard working. I come from the school that you get what you work for. I get upset with people who give half the effort but still get the same rewards as a person working twice as hard.

 

B.c.i.t.

British Columbia Institute of Technology 2 year full time Co-Operative HVAC&R technician Diploma.