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View Full Version : To be or not to be a service engineer?!



PaulM75
27-05-2008, 10:15 PM
Hi All, Looking for some advice. Have been working in refrigeration almost 3 years now. Working from an office, dealing with parts, invoices etc. Getting bored of it lately but do not want to leave the industry. Is it possible to become a service engineer? Am I mad? I really do have a definite interest in the everyday workings of the trade. Over 30 now so cannot afford to go the FAS training route. Is there another way to gain proper training/qualification in Ireland?
P...

750 Valve
04-06-2008, 07:13 AM
Not sure about training in your country but I'd say go for it, the trade is pretty diverse and interesting and some pretty good cash can be made from it. We frequently see guys doing what you are contemplating, everything from retail workers where we do the refrigeration on site to electricians who see what is involved and find it more interesting than jerking wires.

jedi
07-06-2008, 11:09 PM
;)Mate, I have been in this industry since i was 17, went to college on day release and gained HNC in HVAC building services. I worked my way up through the company from an apprentice to junior engineer to project manager and did this unitl i was 30. After a while I was getting stressed out with the ridiculous timescales of delivering contracts, irate clients etc.

I always wanted to go onto the tools, but was always persuaded to stick to the path I was walking. I guess i thought it was too late to start all over again, right???

I'm 32 now and for the last two years have been working as a mobile engineer, starting off as multiskilled, but now have gained City & Guilds 6127 in Refrigeration & Air Conditioning (Night School two nights a week). I've learnt more in the last two years relating to air conditioning and refrigeration than I did in all the years I was Project Managing. But more importantly to me, I thoroughly enjoy what I do and dont plan on returning to what i was doing. Dont get me wrong there are negatives as well, e.g. call out on Friday afternoon at 4pm million miles away from home, but generally the positives for me outway the negatives.

My only regret is that I didn't follow my instinct when I was younger. Albeit what I'm trying to say is that you will never know if its for you unless you try.

Best of luck whatever you decide.

p.s. with overtime, travel time etc i earnt more in one year as a mobile engineer than i ever did as a project manager. Not bragging just giving you idea of the incentives!!

p.p.s my mate who worked as a customer service manager for a well known computer supplier quit his job, trained as a plumber and now has his own company. He also thoroughly enjoys what he does.

PaulM75
16-07-2008, 09:29 PM
Thanks for the advice....think I'll give it a go....what's the worst that could happen?!

ehowley
22-07-2008, 11:50 AM
Thanks for the advice....think I'll give it a go....what's the worst that could happen?!

The worst is that you will learn something new very day for the rest of your career and still not know everything. Besides getting dirty, hot and sweaty, cut, burned, electrocuted to name a few. And then after all that you have to deal with some disgruntled customers about the bill. But after all is said and done you will be happy that you accomplished something using many skills from several trades such as piping, electrical, carpentry and metalworking. Oh yes and refrigeration. Is that enough?

mwff1gp
24-07-2008, 09:29 AM
Hi Guys, this my first (thread?) I to am looking to retrain as Refrigerent/Aircon eng, I to am looking for a course to undertake but there seems to be so many and it is a bit confusing as to which to select and the prices vary so much so a little help would be apreciated. I would like to do the basic training as quickly as posible and will pay for it myself but idealy I wonderd if it would be possible to secure a position with a local company so i could gain my on site practical skills as well. If there is anyone in the Nottingham/Lincoln area willing to take me on I would be over the moon,
Chris.

taz24
24-07-2008, 11:25 PM
Hi Guys, idealy I wonderd if it would be possible to secure a position with a local company so i could gain my on site practical skills as well. If there is anyone in the Nottingham/Lincoln area willing to take me on I would be over the moon,
Chris.


If you can get a company to set you on then jump at the chance to learn on the job. You can then choose the best training that suits you and your company.

These are a few suggestions of mine.

You will need a gas handling certificate, If you do the course now you will pay about £300 and then you are deemed qualified to handle refrigerants. But the gas handle process has just changed so if you wait a few months you will do a course that costs about £500 and you will then be qualified with the new accreditation.

That is all you need.
Some sites and companies won't let you in the door with out a minimum NVQ level 2 but not all are that rigid.

So get the job and do the work, training and learning as you go.
Most companies want experience. If you have no experience and no quals you may struggle.
If you have experience and no quals you will still find companies who will employ you.
If you are qualified but no exerience you may stuggle but less so than if you had no quals.

All the best taz.

Tycho
26-07-2008, 12:42 AM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmU9M-oarho

nevgee
26-07-2008, 09:08 PM
I've ventured from Coal miner, electrician, Refrigeration and a/c design & application, contract and project management. Design and manufatured bespoke ac kit to the petrochem industry. Now I "specialise" in service work on Heatpumps and dehumidifiers, with a growing trend for ground source heat pumps. I would never have realised years ago, just how diversified this business of ours truely is, and it is without doubt a very rewarding profession.

However, if I was to come back with a choice, I would become a Dentist:D. There are only 32 teeth to learn about and we, just like them, use similar tools, knives ,drills, pliers, we deal with gases and chemicals, adhesives etc.;)
Difference being they're on £100k /year and as an old Dentist of mine commented " I'm 34 and can only now accumulate money" He retired at 40 !

Ah well, press on .....;)