I am about to turn 36 years old, is it too late to become a Commercial Refrigeration Technician? (313a)

Hi there, as the title says I am in my mid thirties, and have decided to switch careers and take up a trade. I have been reading a bunch of the discussions on this forum and the info here to do with career and career guidance and it has been really helpful, way more so than the generic info out there from trade schools and career councilors. So thank you.

Here is my situation: My work experience so far has been inground pool construction (sales, design, installation) in the warmer months, and woodworking and residential renovation in the winters. I am a quick learner with a wide breadth of construction experience, but I have no background in electrical, mechanical or machine repair. I have a Bachelors (Commerce) and am comfortable in the classroom, although I haven't had much experience learning about machines/circuitry/complex systems, that I imagine is part of the refrigeration field.

I am just about to complete my G3 gas license here in Ontario, and was considering going back for a G2, based on what folks on here have said; that it is often the beginning step to starting a 313a. (Side note: why is a gas licenses necessary to work on refrigeration?)

I have been considering plumbing, because I figured some of my construction common sense could carry over, and it seems less physically demanding than construction. Also the plumbers I see who do our boiler systems, seem to have a nice thing going on. Well paid, more technical, but still hands-on work. Also the idea of owning your own business as plumber seems fairly doable, low overhead, minimal employees to look after. That is compared to a construction crew, with machines and trucks and a storage yard etc.

I am used to a fast pace and long hours at work, but have never been 'on-call', and don't typically work weekends. Which is to say that I am used to working hard while I am work, but very much appreciate being able to turn-off when I leave work. I have a family with one child, and another one planned in the next year.

Are there career paths within refrigeration that avoid the 24/7 on-call/service lifestyle? What are they?

In summary, much of what I read on here suggests that refrigeration realistically takes 6-10 years to become a journeyman. I assume it would be close to 5 years for a plumber, and 6-7 for plumbing and gas fitter, so maybe the two trades aren't that different in terms of time to complete the trainings, and start earning a proper wage. The complexity of the tasks involved with refrigeration are appealing to me, the idea of using your brains more than your body especially, but I worry that I will be bringing less experience to the role, and there will be much more to learn, and therefore longer for me to become valuable and deserve a higher wage. Also, because I am starting so late, less time before retirement to work at the higher wage.

In conclusion, I have been hmming and hawwing for years about leaving construction, and something tells me refrigeration may be it, but I would appreciate any guidance from those who have managed to achieve their 313a in a relatively short time, and anyone who has made the switch late in life, what should I look out for, avoid, and keep in mind.

Thanks alot!

submitted by /u/Boomskibop
[link] [comments]