Does anyone have any insight on the “veterans in piping program”?

2020-06-08T12:41:53-04:00

I’m looking to get into this program as my transition out of the army and i wanna hear from people that have actually gone through it. I’m currently looking into the hvac program.

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Jun 8 at 2020 1:00 PM

2020-06-08T13:00:57-04:00

Dear Lance, many prayers; on finding the answer to your question. CPL Private RallyPoint Member

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Jun 8 at 2020 2:49 PM

2020-06-08T14:49:19-04:00

CPL Private RallyPoint Member HVAC field is prime right now. Showing up with clean urine and good attitude will be a bonus. The average age of an HVAC shop is late forties to fifties. As a Facilities Maintenance Manager I could not find guys to hire. Consistently had 2-3 vacancies. There is intense competition for qualified people. You do have to prove yourself as an apprentice, but once you show reliability and any sort of talent for the work, you will be working. Lots of OT. Unfortunately it comes with on call, but again, it's big money.

Any legit training that gives you a viable certification In HVAC is of value. Being able to do hydronic piping, doing geo-thermal work, and commercial boilers is key. The money and frankly the challenge is in commercial HVAC. residential HVAC is a much lower skil level. When you do commercial work, because of the spectrum of equipment you find in 40-50 year life span buildings and the prohibitive switching costs, you have to know everything from steam systems to multizone units to geo thermal. If you really know what you are doing, get into building controls and energy management. Installing building controls is $5-10M a project for a commercial building. The owner makes that back off savings in energy costs.

Be careful of these for profit trade schools. Check the reviews and graduation rates. They'll gladly take your GI Bill. Best bet is if you can get an internship/apprenticeship where they agree to train. Not sure if that Veterans in Piping program assures a job at the end and what certifications come with it, but I have seen it at SFLTAP.

Good luck.

Response by A1C Delma Ybarra (HVAC Sourcer) made Aug 5 at 2023 10:22 AM

2023-08-05T10:22:07-04:00

Great post!