Hi everybody,

Firstly id just like to say how glad i am to come across this forum and it looks great guys.

Right, well im 26years of age and after working for an engineering company as a electromechanical assembly worker for the past 4 years im looking to change to something more 'long term'. The reason i say that is because i am not qualified in anyway and i am simply there through hard work after being given a chance. Ive worked my way to earning 28k a year basic which is reasonable consindering everyone else i work with are fully qualified and apprentice served engineers. I am worried about my lack of ANY qualifications because if i would lose my job id be back to minimum wage in a dead end job with 2 kids to provide for.

So ive decided that i want to get into air con and refrigeration in the long term. I am looking to do everning college part time for 2 years at a level 2.
I am aware that at some point i am going to have to take a massive pay cut to get my foot in the door as a trainee or something earning minimum wage until i gain experience which will be tough but just about manageable. I do have a couple of questions if anybody could help...

Is air con and refrigeration considered to be job in demand? Or are the a massive amount of qualified guys with a real lack of jobs?

Is it possible to do my entire coarse without being employed in the industry? I know it would be advantageous but is it nessesary? I would be looking to find a job once qualified at level 2 with f gas.

Can anybody reccomend any books/literature to gain a good solid understanding of the basics and to gain good knowlege from the basics upwards?.

Thanks everyone, really glad i came across this site, any advice is appreciated as ive got to do this and make it work!, failure is not an option!!!