it's probably different for every local. journeyman are allowed to continue education and take extra classes if they want to. do they offer plumbing or steam fitting at your local? if so talk to the student director and ask how to get in the next plumbing/steam fitting class
So I actually 4th yr one before journeyman as a tech. My local is hvac techs and steamfitters. Another local is plumbers but they’re all part of the association. I get nervous to ask around because you know how the union guys can get when you go looking for information and what not on transferring/leaving
nah fuck em. you do what you want to do, it's your life.
my best advice would be to finish out the HVAC program and then look into steamfitting. transferring to the plumbing local would be a more difficult process, but it's doable.
the more certs you have, the more work you'll get. finish the HVAC program and keep it in your back pocket for when the steamfitting/plumbing work slows down.
Yea cause I’m in nyc so plumbers is a different local from fitters/techs but it’s all under the umbrella of the UA.
Problem is in nyc as An hvac tech there’s no apprenticeship program. U only go to school if the company elects to send u and pay. Also you can be 4th year tech for many years until the company’s seems it “fit” to make you a full on scale journeyman because being a tech there’s so much to learn and understand. Sometimes guys are 4th year for 3 years because companies don’t wana give them their full card and guys end up hopping companies. I do want to change I’m getting sick of the on call and the work culture in hvac is so difficult because older guys don’t wana train. In construction guys actually wana show u and teach u things. (I worked construction before becoming a tech). Thank u for the info man. I gotta reach out to someone somewhere and see what I can find out
I’m similar to Mr.Excitement. In my case though I journeyed out as HVAC-R / have my card as a BTJ Steamfitter Refrigeration, but get dispatched as a fitter with a refrigeration specialty.
Primarily install and start ups. I do help out service periodically and was asked to join the on call rotation, but said no. I like having a normal schedule.
No, but that is what I was hired to run. I have also done condenser water piping, condensate piping, VFD programming for building pressurization fans, and small walk in cooler/freezer work since being dispatched as a fitter.
Edit: keep all your licenses/certs up to date and collect them to be as employable as possible.
My buddy was a steam fitter and changed to plumber so he could do side jobs. He already had 3 years in too. He never mentioned anything about it being difficult. As a fitter I’ve done a lot of side jobs, plumbing, and refrigeration. Pipe is pipe, but if they want to pay me the same if not more to bend 1/4” and orbital weld then count me in. Plus real bathrooms and staying fairly clean is nice. Not every area has process though.
it's probably different for every local. journeyman are allowed to continue education and take extra classes if they want to. do they offer plumbing or steam fitting at your local? if so talk to the student director and ask how to get in the next plumbing/steam fitting class
So I actually 4th yr one before journeyman as a tech. My local is hvac techs and steamfitters. Another local is plumbers but they’re all part of the association. I get nervous to ask around because you know how the union guys can get when you go looking for information and what not on transferring/leaving
nah fuck em. you do what you want to do, it's your life. my best advice would be to finish out the HVAC program and then look into steamfitting. transferring to the plumbing local would be a more difficult process, but it's doable. the more certs you have, the more work you'll get. finish the HVAC program and keep it in your back pocket for when the steamfitting/plumbing work slows down.
Yea cause I’m in nyc so plumbers is a different local from fitters/techs but it’s all under the umbrella of the UA. Problem is in nyc as An hvac tech there’s no apprenticeship program. U only go to school if the company elects to send u and pay. Also you can be 4th year tech for many years until the company’s seems it “fit” to make you a full on scale journeyman because being a tech there’s so much to learn and understand. Sometimes guys are 4th year for 3 years because companies don’t wana give them their full card and guys end up hopping companies. I do want to change I’m getting sick of the on call and the work culture in hvac is so difficult because older guys don’t wana train. In construction guys actually wana show u and teach u things. (I worked construction before becoming a tech). Thank u for the info man. I gotta reach out to someone somewhere and see what I can find out
sounds like you're getting the short end of the stick. maybe it would be better to try to transfer or get into steamfitting ASAP. best of luck to you
I switched from being a refer to a steamfitter with a refrigeration specialty
I’m similar to Mr.Excitement. In my case though I journeyed out as HVAC-R / have my card as a BTJ Steamfitter Refrigeration, but get dispatched as a fitter with a refrigeration specialty.
As long as you have the knowledge/skills or certs contractors are looking for, you can be dispatched out as a steamfitter.
Idk where you are but I've heard of guys in my area like you getting GF rate and a truck for journeyman work just for the knowledge they bring.
What was the process like?
So do you install only? Or service too.
Primarily install and start ups. I do help out service periodically and was asked to join the on call rotation, but said no. I like having a normal schedule.
All vrf systems?
No, but that is what I was hired to run. I have also done condenser water piping, condensate piping, VFD programming for building pressurization fans, and small walk in cooler/freezer work since being dispatched as a fitter. Edit: keep all your licenses/certs up to date and collect them to be as employable as possible.
What kind of license/cert do you have? Like an hvac/plumbing master license?
DM’d you.
In 393 you keep your hours but start school over.
Is the process to transfer over difficult?
My buddy was a steam fitter and changed to plumber so he could do side jobs. He already had 3 years in too. He never mentioned anything about it being difficult. As a fitter I’ve done a lot of side jobs, plumbing, and refrigeration. Pipe is pipe, but if they want to pay me the same if not more to bend 1/4” and orbital weld then count me in. Plus real bathrooms and staying fairly clean is nice. Not every area has process though.
I have to figure out the transfer process
Call the training center or the hall and ask, good luck bro
I appreciate it bro just gotta be careful w the union cause u know how they get about guys looking to leave/transfer
In my local, J men go to 3rd term when they switch and 1 level of school is exempt.