They Couldn't Identify a Capacitor?! HVAC Trade Schools Are Failing Us

You are 100% correct about these schools and their inability to teach these students to be field ready. I've hired graduates of Apex tech and Boces of Westchester with EPA certifications and no ability to safely connect refrigeration gauges not to mention how to read the pressures and what they mean. Most of them get the trade school tuition paid by the state so they don't have any skin in the game.

I would argue that the blower motor still running question could be a dirty filter as an answer. A dirty filter would cause the high limit to trip in heating and some units are set up to run the blower when that happens.

I was an instructor in EMS and firefighting also a filed training officer.
I took my job very seriously.. as a filed training officer i would tell the rookie.. Ill show you once, help you once than you do it yourself i will stay back and observe. There was no excuses, either you know it or you dont.

Going to need a review/update on the new e sprinter from Daniel in month or 2.

I went to ETC in Copiague 2015.

It was a good program, 600 hours. Many of the instructors were very good. One instructor came in just for motors - different winding types, controls, he had a voice that put me to sleep.

I got a lot out of it.

But there were other kids that were dumber than a box of rocks and couldn't pass if they tried.

And there were many that treated it like high school still, and blew it off and liked to chit chat and shoot the shit.


Their performance isn't a reflection on the course, in my opinion. I think it's a poor reflection on those particular students.

ETA: I did the electrical, not the HVAC/R, fwiw.

You might be able to tell by their grades. If they’re lower grades, they are more than likely goofing off and I’m paying attention.

The way we do it is they fill out an application submit their resume and then they’re immediately given a test when we do the interview and it’s very simple questions like does an ECM motor have a capacitor? Another one is how many thermostat wires are in a heat pump thermostat bundlereal simple questions not say 60% fail.

Trades...you're doing something about my friend.

I hope the hire works out... But I said this 7 times or some shii already😂😂😂

This is really sad. I’m just a home gamer and apparently I know more than these kids that have spent dedicated time to learn your trade

I think people learn better by actually doing the work under the supervision of a pro. Maybe a class or two a week or self study too. You were on the right track the way you were teaching Peter, but he was not the right person.

I believe the schools are teaching but the kids aren’t learning. The schools should hold their asses to the flame. Can’t pass the final exam then no certificate! Enough of the every one getting a trophy. I have been in the field for a long time and I continue to learn each and every day. This shit is earned not just given.

If the outdoor unit was a democrat the capacitor would Identify as a Transistor

Help JP, he is pooping in his pants!!

I’m scared to hire a new kid out of school

I’m a plumber and I could identify a capacitor

“My back hurts, my knees hurt”, I feel your pain, I retired from the trade in ‘22. When starting out in the trade I did residential work, I got sick of crawling under houses or up in attics, so I applied as a helper and got into commercial service work. And now everything hurts😂

Old man HVACR Instructor. Coolio you hired how to the right person.

Mikey you got my address. Send me your test.

The truth is that, the course isn't good in teaching at all.

Ask them if the know the Internet password you can bet your ass they know that.

Sounds like another fly by night low intention school

Hey pastor tony lee or tony @ youtbe @ face book meta, you still checking on the blue collar community again. Who Mikey, he like picking cotton again,lol May peace be with you.

Hey Mike Daick, of Mikey Pipes Plumbing not easy being cheesy. What makes for a happy TXV? A clean coils and good air flow. Outdoor saturation heat is a key factor in efficieny cooling time again, 60 F and above. You fuck with the best, you die like the rest. Love you buddy, God bless you my brother in Christ.

A Jewish Fire Preacher, PRICELESS!!😂😂

"Back to the "FUTURE" # 1 , movie should be a mandatory Trade School FILM. "FLUX CAPACITOR". 🤣🤣

I’m in trade school rn but also work in the field I didn’t start school till around my 2nd/3rd year in the field and wow school is a joke. I’m not paying as much as others thankfully but still lol. Additionally be careful with the color sharpie signing with as some colors can be scanned/copied. Just food for thought, love the content and the consistency

HVAC trade schools only worry about teaching people about putting the TXV bulbs in their anus.

I'm hoping more employers in my area have done the same as you and reached out to my trade school, because the results would be similar. I was going to write to them personally after I got into the field realizing how much of a sham it was but I never got around to it.

hard to believe trade school graduates didn’t know the answers to your test, obviously not paying attention in their classes, oy vey

I have hired from trade schools many times, unfortunately many of them couldn’t read or even hook up their gauges. Good luck.

Toss in a hat and im in for 42.50

i learned in trade school that its not the teacher usually. its the students. my classmates didn't care and were not interested.

Mikey fucking pipes!

Poster today for a chocolate babka tomorrow?

I think it's something with this generation coming up. Whatever you want to call it, adhd, short attention span, or just plain stupid. You can't jump to conclusions and blame the schools curriculum or teachers. Most of these kids are braindead and couldn't figure their way out of a paperbag. Thousands pay for education, but in the end its up to the students to learn and retain the information. A good apprentice has a notepad and pen to take notes.

This guy has the face of someone who would scam you right away.

The more i am paid the better i get 👍👍👍

I’m a hvac tech and I’m never had a capacitor go bad. I think y’all just trying to get over on homeowners

No matter what the school or program teaches there’s going to be students who just can’t comprehend. I think when that occurs and they still “pass” with certifications and all that’s the real issue. If a student isn’t showing the ability to grasp what’s going on and prove that they’re retaining the information then they should retake the course or find another career. Capacitor and contractor are 100% day one things. Especially in the field.

Been doing Hvac for 31 years i learned a lot

We need more technicians to be taught about steam boilers and how important it is to pipe in a Hartford Loop and why it is so important.

I wish that I was so much younger than I am and lived closer to your shop in New York. I would be so fortunate.

I see that this is a big problem. Mike, maybe you can get a hold of this man his name is Mike Rowe and maybe between the two of you can look into these schools. I know you’re a busy man but busy people get things done just a thought

Good energy brother I believe in your goal 100 %

What do you call a Jewish water line... Mikey Fucking Pipes!

I worked in NYC with a guy named Joey Pipes.
Any relation?? 😊

Its not the trade schools fault but the quietly of the students .When i went thru trade school (NTI) las Vegas .It was during covid most were there cause they had gotten laid off from the casinos .Others were using there GI bill and getting basic housing allowance ($1700) a month. I would say out of 26 students maybe 10 were there to learn the actual trade. Trade skills in most states aren't accredited so therefore not required to follow any rules . I remember one of my text books and study material was made in house and even have hand written diagrams. The school wasn't winning any awards but it did cover the basics and knowing what a cap or contactor and what its function was thought .
There's is so much free content on you tube and channels like HVAC service tech offering hundreds of hours of detailed information . Free .This is a social issue .