William Orr ⋅ Greenwood, IN Edward Jones Investments ⋅ 4 years experience

Keil,

Get out there and speak to some of your local union reps. It isn't necessary to give up your valuable GI Bill benefits to any organization. The unions will train you, pay you, and your GI Bill can be used to supplement your income (during an apprenticeship).

...Post-9/11 GI Bill recipients. The payment rates are as follows:

You will receive 100 percent of your applicable MHA during the first six months of training in these increments:
80 percent of your applicable MHA during the second six months of training
60 percent of your applicable MHA during the third six months of training
40 percent of your applicable MHA during the fourth six months of training
20 percent of your applicable MHA during the remainder of the training
Post-9/11 GI Bill recipients will also receive up to $83 per month for books and supplies.

My brother is a Boilermaker; he works hard and makes a good six-figure income; he was trained through an apprenticeship. You can do this, too. Check out the local 421 website:

http://www.ualocal421.org/

Mark Theriot ⋅ Rhome, TX Digital Service Solutions Group, Solera ⋅ 28 years experience

Hi Keil,
The concept described in this link is interesting. http://www.achrnews.com/articles/130321-short-term-hvac-program-aims-to-accelerate-reinvigorate-training

In a lot of skilled trades, the employers want you to know the basics - but prefer you learn the rest on the job, the way they operate. This program seems specifically tailored to address that. As long as the program has good hands on capability (equipment and tools) along with willing instructors - you can get out of it as much as you put in. A couple recommendations to feel better about your decision:
- Can you pay them a visit? See how the facility shapes up and chat up one of the trainers. Not the front office, one of the actual instructors in the back! See what kind of feel you get.
- You could also call on a few HVAC companies (even ones that are hiring) and ask about the program, see what kind of response you get.

The HVAC trade overall is an excellent opportunity, with regional job opportunities dependent on the local economy. Are you thinking about residential or commercial? You can also have room to grow in this industry if you want. You could learn and move up to the building automation side with companies like Johnson Controls, Siemens Building Technologies, etc. The have field technician jobs that work exclusively on the electronics side of commercial systems. Experience in HVAC would be a good jumping off point!

Take care and let me know if I can help.

Mark

Chet Frame ⋅ El Paso, TX Border Business Consultants ⋅ 18 years experience

Good morning, Keil.

You are correct. The published information is a bit of a mish mash, with both positive and negative comments. There is no rating from the Better Business Bureau because they are not registered with them. They are available to use your G.I. Bill benefits with them, so they have met some government oversight.

Their curriculum has been modified to speed the process of getting in and out quickly. that means that it probably has not been approved for Associate programs.

That may not be a bad thing.

What are you looking to get out of the course? A good job that will give you consistent work and a career track in a needed occupation. Do you need a degree to go with that or will professional certifications carry more weight in your standing when it comes to interviews?

In business we say, "Let the buyer beware." Do your due diligence.

Ask the school how many of their graduates get hired within 30, 60, and 90 days after finishing their course. Ask if you can contact two or three of their graduates for their insights into the education received. Ask what percentage of their students pass the tests for the two certifications they support on the first time taking the exam.

This should give you more information to help you make a decision.

Good luck.

Chet Frame