Appliance repair technician

[rll70sman]

I need some help. So, I'm exploring the possibility of becoming an appliance repair technician. It's been difficult finding information on schooling or job training. Is this part of an HVAC program? Thank you in advance for any information you may have.

Rob

 

[whirlykenmore78]

RE: becoming an appliance tech

Rob, you may want to reach out to my friend Mark Kramer (Affordable Marktag). He is based in Burnsville and has been in the appliance business for at least 30 years. I can call you with his contact info just let me know a good time. Otherwise you could ask John L. (Combo52)here on the site he's been at it for over 40 years.
WK78

 

[rll70sman]

RE: Becoming an appliance tech

Nick, that would be great! You can call anytime. I'm unemployed at the moment, so if I don't answer, leave me a message. I also reached out to Eugene from Lorain Furniture. Even though he's in Cleveland, I figured he would be a good resource as well.

Rob

 

[kb0nes]

Hi Rob, I'm Phil and I live in Burnsville. There are a few MN folks here!

I think that most folks learned appliance repair on their own. If you have high mechanical aptitude and good trouble shooting skills you are on your way. Then most of the training is on the job but you have to get lucky and find an employer to give you a shot. Once you get into a good shop there is likely training that would be supplied by various manufacturers through the employer.

A HVAC training course like the one offered at Dakota VoTec would sure be a feather in your hat, but not directly applicable to typical appliance service. Still would look great for a potential employer.

I manage a small machine shop and the first question I ask potential employees is "did you grow up with a shop in your home?". For me learning mechanical aptitude early on trumps any vocational training.

 

[kb0nes]

Hi Rob, I'm Phil and I live in Burnsville. There are a few MN folks here!

I think that most folks learned appliance repair on their own. If you have high mechanical aptitude and good trouble shooting skills you are on your way. Then most of the training is on the job but you have to get lucky and find an employer to give you a shot. Once you get into a good shop there is likely training that would be supplied by various manufacturers through the employer.

A HVAC training course like the one offered at Dakota VoTec would sure be a feather in your hat, but not directly applicable to typical appliance service. Still would look great for a potential employer.

I manage a small machine shop and the first question I ask potential employees is "did you grow up with a shop in your home?". For me learning mechanical aptitude early on trumps any vocational training.

 

[deltablu]

Hello Rob

I'm not too far from you either. I've been an appliance tech for just short of 25 years. I started out self taught and then completed a two year HVAC/R degree at a vo-tech school. It made a world of difference for me in two areas. Doing sealed system work was something I didn't do until after I went to school and that was a great way to learn it. Also, I had a semester long course on wiring and wiring diagrams. Made ALL the difference. Not to brag, but I can decipher even the ugliest diagrams now.

Now if I had decided at the time that I was only going to work on appliances, I could have just completed the first year of school. Everything I needed was in that first year. But I do also do some HVAC work as well and I'm grateful that I completed the whole thing.

 

[superocd]

I'm an HVACR tech but have a Bachelors in Information Systems. I'm Cisco certified, Microsoft certified, CompTIA A+/Net+ certified, yet I work on and install heat pumps, air conditioners, furnaces and commercial equipment all day (and love it).

I actually took some HVAC classes when I went to community college. It came in handy because that's now my line of work. I've never worked in IT unless you count my work study time as a helpdesk analyst during university. People ask why I am doing HVAC instead of IT but I actually earn more. Entry level positions in IT pay OK but not as much as I earned when I started out in HVACR, plus a lot of IT positions are notorious for requiring so many years of experience just to get noticed by HR, even for "entry level".