Trade jobs are essential for everyday living that a lot of homeowners take for granted. Without HVAC technicians and plumbers, the comfort and easy usage we have in our homes wouldn’t be what it is today.
Are you looking for HVAC and plumbing careers in Wakefield, MA, or other Massachusetts areas? If so, you’ve come to the right place. Our company, 128 Plumbing, has current openings to join our highly-rated successful team in serving the great communities of Massachusetts and making sure their home is running correctly.
Becoming a plumber or an HVAC technician can help you positively impact your communities, and it’s very easy to get started in these industries.
Is Being an HVAC & Plumbing Technician a Good Job?
The short answer to this question is yes! Plumbing and HVAC technicians are excellent jobs for many reasons, most of which we will cover more in-depth later in this article.
Besides the impact you get to make in your community, these careers are not going anywhere. There will always be a need for having comfortable heating and air and clean water all year long, and while the number of applicants for these jobs may be dwindling, that’s only better for you.
A plumbing and HVAC career both start around $25-$28 per hour. You will automatically earn more than college graduates who are drowning in thousands of student loan debt. And while you don’t need a Bachelor’s degree to work in plumbing or HVAC, you still need certification programs that are significantly less than college degrees.
Not to mention you obtain valuable life skills others don’t possess.
Job Requirements Of An HVAC Technician
So, you know that an HVAC technician works with heating and cooling systems in homes and commercial properties, but you may not know exactly what they do from day to day. These systems are very complex, and working with them requires particular expertise.
When you begin your career as an HVAC technician, you will need to be able to understand and read wiring diagrams and the HVAC codes that need to be followed.
Your workday can vary based upon the needs of the systems you’re looking at. For example, you may need to repair systems, install new ones, reconfigure wires, handle ductwork, and perform routine maintenance.
HVAC systems are responsible for producing clean and comfortable air for homeowners and business patrons to breathe. Because of this, it’s your job to make sure the systems are clean and running properly to avoid health hazards in the buildings these units are installed.
Another job requirement of working as an HVAC technician is communicating with customers and listening to them describe the issues they have with their systems. You will also instruct them on how to solve their HVAC issues and estimate how much the repairs will cost.
The Plumbing Service Stigma
There is a stigma in the world that working as a plumber is a dirty job. And while plumbing does have its smelly encounters, it’s actually a very beneficial and lucrative career.
The plumbing industry is seeing a major decrease in the number of applicants that open jobs see since more kids are being pressured and told that going to college for a degree is necessary to land a good job. We’re here to say that’s far from the truth.
Instead of racking up debt in overwhelming student loans, becoming a plumber or an HVAC technician does not require a degree. Yes, you will likely have to enroll in a few vocational classes at your local community college, but those are insanely cheaper than attending a university.
Not only does it save you from student loans, but the trade of plumbing is necessary for everyday living and is a skill you can carry with you throughout your life.
The plumbing industry is said to have an expected 5% job growth in the next ten years, and those going into the field can expect to have job security since people will always need plumbers.
When you become a plumber, you do not only work in residential homes. There are offices, restaurants, schools, and other places that will require the handiwork and knowledge of a plumber when certain drainage or leak issues arise. Because of this, you will be able to fluctuate where you work instead of staying cooped up in the same location every day.
Another benefit to working as a plumber is that the job pays you from the start. As you begin your plumbing career, you will work and be supervised during your apprenticeship and earn money simultaneously as you work to achieve your license. Basically, it’s a nicely compensated training process.
Do You Need A Degree To Work In Heating And Plumbing?
As we already mentioned, you do not need a Bachelor’s degree to work as a plumber or heating technician, but that doesn’t mean you can walk in without any prior knowledge or training. However, both fields require you have your high school diploma or GED.
There are several steps to getting started as a plumber and HVAC technician. Both are similar but have a few differences in their training. Let’s dive into them.
Plumbing
After you graduate high school, you will need to start your vocational training right away to enroll in courses that help you become certified in drainage and pipe systems you will encounter on the job.
Once your required amount of classroom hours are over, you’re able to begin your apprenticeship. The apprenticeship is where you will work under another licensed plumber to have hands-on training and learn about plumbing codes and regulations for the various issues you can encounter during the workday.
When your apprenticeship ends, you will be able to take the exam to receive your license and finally work as a licensed plumber. Once you begin your career, you can continue to grow professionally and skillfully as you gain experience on the job.
HVAC
The steps to becoming an HVAC technician almost look identical. You still need your high school diploma or GED before enrolling in a training program that completes a certificate program instead of vocational courses. Luckily, most HVAC certificate programs can be completed as fast as ten months.
Then you will start your apprenticeship to get hands-on experience working with heating and cooling systems, and some apprenticeships can substitute for certificate programs, depending on where you are. Just like plumbing, you will also be compensated for the hours you spend training.
Once your program and training are complete, you will need to get licensed before working full-time, but HVAC differs from plumbing. When you become licensed for HVACs, you have to pass three certification classes:
- Type 1: small appliances
- Type 2: high-pressure heating and cooling systems
- Type 3: low-pressure heating and cooling systems
You can learn more about these certification exams and other voluntary HVAC certifications you can add to your resume to stand out from the rest of the applicants here.
Why Should You Work As An HVAC Or Plumbing Technician
Do you like having a career that makes a difference in people’s lives? Do you want to have a role in society that helps others? Then you would love to work with HVACs or plumbing.
Both of these fields make sure people live healthy lives by ensuring the systems produce clean air, clean water, and more.
If you’re someone who loves being able to work with your hands and stay active all day long without the management of others, then you should consider starting your courses to become trained.
Working in plumbing, heating, and cooling means you get to be independent and solve problems on your own when you visit locations that need your assistance. Instead of staring at a computer screen all day and listening to the barking orders of your superiors, you get to work on your own and have room to breathe as you take care of your business.
Plus, there is a lot of job security in both of these fields. People will always need heating and cooling in their homes to stay comfortable and have clean water to cook and bathe in. And with the skills you will have working in these industries, you don’t have to worry about calling a technician or plumber yourself to your own home.
Working in plumbing or HVAC are excellent career options for those who want to work with their hands and have an independent job. But, if you’re ready to be the helping hand your community can count on, start enrolling in training programs today!
Apply As A Wakefield HVAC And Plumbing Technician Today!
Make the change today to launch your plumbing or HVAC technician career with 128 Plumbing. We are always looking for people to join our team and fill our open positions. As of right now, there are HVAC and plumbing positions in the Wakefield area available.
Our employees love working for our company because we provide a helpful and friendly environment. We are a team of dedicated works to make our communities as efficient as possible by always ensuring their homes are up-to-date.
We don’t just serve the Wakefield area but serve surrounding communities like Reading, North Andover, Newton, and more. Working with 128 Plumbing provides new scenery every day instead of sitting at a desk job and looking at the screen all day long.
We make sure to train our technicians and always provide professional development support properly. In addition, there are company events and benefits our employees can take advantage of while becoming another person that makes up or excellent team.
Start serving your community today by applying to one of our open positions. We can’t wait to add you to our team!
