Skilled Trade Jobs & Careers: Overcoming Stigma

Are you considering a rewarding career as an HVAC & Refrigeration technician? One thing that may be complicating your plans is the concerns of people in your life who may have inaccurate perceptions about skilled trade jobs.

When it comes to HVAC & Refrigeration careers, the stigma some people continue to hold and “myths” they believe are just dead wrong.

Here’s how to banish those myths, overcome stigma, and get people on your side.

How to banish the myths associated with skilled trade jobs

If people in your life raise these issues, here’s what to tell them to help them understand the reality and the benefits of your career choice. 

Myth #1: Skilled trade jobs are for those who can’t get into college

This is a fairly common misconception that couldn’t be further from the truth, especially for HVAC and Refrigeration service technicians. Our industry is increasingly driven by technology. That means we need intelligent problem-solvers with an aptitude for technology, and who are capable of continuously learning and updating their skills.

Getting started as an HVAC or Refrigeration technician doesn’t require college primarily because there are few quality college programs that teach what you need to know. On-the-job learning through an apprenticeship or “helper” position, along with classroom training for theory and skills practice, is generally how new technicians build their knowledge. 

It does take a period of several years (comparable to the time others spend in college) to become a qualified HVAC service expert. Refrigeration technicians may need even longer to be fully qualified. The difference is, in our industry, you work and get paid while you learn, instead of taking on mountains of college debt!

Learn more> HVACR Technician Careers: 4 Ways to Get Training

Myth #2: You can’t support a family with a trade job

You may be surprised at how much money you can earn in HVAC & Refrigeration service, especially if you get hired by a union shop and get placed in the union. In fact, many technicians just a few years into their careers earn considerably more than their friends who went to college. After 4-5 years, you can be making over $42 per hour, and more than $100,000 per year with overtime.

Besides the money you can earn as a union member, you also get excellent medical benefits for yourself and your family, FULLY PAID FOR by your employer. That can be worth $10-$20K per year, especially if you have a family. And the benefits are better than what you’ll get from most corporate jobs.

Once you’re qualified to work independently, you may even get a company vehicle.

Learn more> The Best HVAC Companies to Work For Are Union Shops

Myth #3: Skilled trade jobs are not secure

Once again, this couldn’t be further from the truth for the HVAC industry. One big reason: homes and businesses will always need heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration, no matter what’s happening in the economy. 

And, our industry has been growing and changing for years now as technology has advanced. That means we need more people with more advanced skills. 

Another reason for the job security in our industry is that our current workforce is aging, and many experienced technicians are reaching retirement age. That means we have a growing need to build back our expertise with the next generation of smart, capable technicians.

Learn more> Commercial Refrigeration Technician: Is It a Secure Job?

Myth #4: It’s just manual labor

Hopefully we have already dispelled this myth here. HVAC & Refrigeration service jobs have become technology careers. It’s no longer enough to be “good with your hands” to succeed in this business. You need to be smart, to understand technology, and be able to diagnose and fix complex problems.

Of course, there is an element of physical labor involved with many HVAC technician positions, since you are sometimes working with heavy equipment and lugging around tools. However, that also brings the benefit of getting to be on-the-go each day instead of stuck at a desk.

Myth #5: There’s no career advancement

There are definitely people who work their entire careers as HVAC and Refrigeration service technicians. But there are also many possibilities for career advancement.

You can choose to specialize in a particular type of service, such as repairing complex supermarket or industrial refrigeration systems. Or work in a specific industry, such as healthcare.

You can move into field supervision and service management positions. You could move into supply management, training, logistics, or sales. 

Learn more> HVAC Career Path: What Are the Possibilities for Service Technicians?

How to get started in a career in HVAC & Refrigeration service

One way or another, people will eventually come around when they see how much money you’re making, the benefits you get, and the challenging and rewarding work you do.

Here’s some content that can help you land your first job:

Entry-Level HVAC Jobs: 5 Ways to Land One

HVAC Interview Questions & Interview Preparation Tips

HVACR Career Connect NY was created to promote the exceptional quality-of-life benefits of a career in HVAC and Refrigeration service, and also to provide a clear path for getting started in the profession. In doing so, we serve as a resource for employers in the New York City metro area to find and hire smart and capable new technicians. We also serve as an educational resource to support business growth and to help service technicians succeed in their chosen profession.