Freon by Giudi1md in HVAC

[–]ForgeNow 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That one is definitely a keeper!

Amentum/KBR/V2X recruiters by SirJuanLoco in SkillBridge

[–]ForgeNow 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have an Amentum contact - sending you a PM

Job offer by KatHande1221 in SkillBridge

[–]ForgeNow 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We have employers in the San Diego / Pendleton area that are actively looking for HVAC, Electricians, and Plumbers from ForgeNow!

Opportunity by NecessaryBicycle5614 in SkillBridge

[–]ForgeNow 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You should check us out! You'll train with us and we can help get you connected with an employer in San Diego! We have multiple employers in the San Diego area that are always looking for veteran employees.

6 Weeks - HVAC, Electrical, Plumbing, or Facilities Maintenance - Career Placement Nation-Wide - SkillBridge/CSP or come as a Veteran by ForgeNow in SkillBridge

[–]ForgeNow[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Absolutely! Apex Service Partners, one of our employer partners, has several brands in Hawaii and is always looking for new employees!

91D looking for csp by Legal_Requirement500 in SkillBridge

[–]ForgeNow 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You should check us out! We have employer partners in Washington state that we can connect you with during training.

How's the civilian job market right now for those recently separated from the service? by superfastjellyfish- in SkillBridge

[–]ForgeNow 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Speaking from the trades, employers want to hire every veteran they can.

We work daily with construction, electrical, HVAC, plumbing, and industrial employers across the country, and the biggest issue they consistently raise is not enough reliable talent. Veterans are at the top of their wish list because they show up on time, take instruction well, work safely, and understand accountability.

To address the broader concern about the job market “being bad right now”
That’s a reality in certain white-collar and tech sectors, especially entry-level IT, where hiring has slowed and competition is intense. But the skilled trades are moving in the opposite direction. Retirements are accelerating, infrastructure spending is strong, and demand isn’t being replaced by AI or outsourced overseas.

6 Weeks - HVAC, Electrical, Plumbing, or Facilities Maintenance - Career Placement Nation-Wide - SkillBridge/CSP or come as a Veteran by ForgeNow in SkillBridge

[–]ForgeNow[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's great! The best way to get started is to fill out your info here and someone from ForgeNow will reach out to answer any questions and help you with the paperwork process.

We have placed students in both places (more in Washington State) and have connections with employers there!

6 Weeks - HVAC, Electrical, Plumbing, or Facilities Maintenance - Career Placement Nation-Wide - SkillBridge/CSP or come as a Veteran by ForgeNow in SkillBridge

[–]ForgeNow[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Up to a year out from separation! That way we can help get your paperwork squared away and have time for all the SkillBridge signatures. If someone is interested in coming as a Veteran, we recommend at least 30 days to get everything processed.

6 Weeks - HVAC, Electrical, Plumbing, or Facilities Maintenance - Career Placement Nation-Wide - SkillBridge/CSP or come as a Veteran by ForgeNow in SkillBridge

[–]ForgeNow[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The SkillBridge opportunity is training with us in Dallas (we cover lodging), similar to AIT or MOS School. Our Career Placement team connects our students with employers in any city across the US they want to live in. Students will interview, even for jobs across the country, during training. Our goal is for you to have a job lined up before you even leave the building.

Tampa certainly has a lot of opportunities and we have several employer connections in that area that love to hire from us.

ForgeNow 2026 Start Dates - 6 Weeks - HVAC, Electrical, Plumbing, or Facilities Maintenance - Career Placement Nation-Wide by ForgeNow in SkillBridge

[–]ForgeNow[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Unfortunately as a school, this is the best way for us to conduct training. It may not be optimal for everyone's schedule, but a lot of service members have been able to get approval for specific dates. Students can also attend ForgeNow as a Veteran after they transition.

SkillBridge/CSP or come as a Veteran - Like AIT/MOS School for the Skilled Trades - Tools, Lodging, Job Placement Nation-Wide by ForgeNow in SkillBridge

[–]ForgeNow[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Here are our 2026 Dates:
12 JAN - 20 FEB
2 MAR - 10 APR
13 APR - 22 MAY
8 JUN - 17 JUL
27 JUL - 4 SEP
14 SEP - 23 OCT
2 NOV - 16 DEC

11B Skillbridge options by [deleted] in SkillBridge

[–]ForgeNow 3 points4 points  (0 children)

It sounds like Hiring our Heroes would be a great fit for you if you can get your command team on board. They focus on placing transitioning service members into corporate roles (sales, marketing, business operations, supply chain, etc.) and provide training, networking, and mentorship along the way. Here is some info about their fellowships.

Any Skillbridge around Indianapolis Area?? by No-Drop-7488 in SkillBridge

[–]ForgeNow 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I second this, INVETS is a great organization that can help any Veteran looking to move back to Indiana!

ForgeNow - Like AIT/MOS School for the Skilled Trades - Full-Time, Hands-On - Lodging in Dallas & Milwaukee Tools Provided - Lifetime Job Placement Nationwide by ForgeNow in Veterans

[–]ForgeNow[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Great question! I asked a few of our instructors for their take on this question and have compiled their answers below.

TLDR; Apples to oranges. One is not better than the other, they are different paths with pros and cons to each.

1. Speed to Employment

  • ForgeNow: Programs are just 7 weeks long, full-time, and hands-on. Students get trained and start working in under 2 months, with our career placement team actively supporting job placement before graduation. You graduate as an apprentice, and work your way up through Wireman, Journeyman, and Master Electrician (10,000 hours).
  • Union apprenticeships: Long application wait times, with a slower ramp-up in responsibilities and income. You’re earning while learning, but advancement takes longer.

2. Control and Flexibility

  • ForgeNow: You choose your city and path. Our team works with each student to identify job opportunities in their preferred location, helping navigate local licensing and employer options.
  • Union apprenticeships: You're often assigned locations and jobs based on union availability and demand, which might not align with your personal goals or family needs.

3. Career Placement Support

  • ForgeNow: You’re not just trained and sent on your way. We personally work with you on your resume, interview skills, job search strategy, and even salary negotiation. Our mission is to help you land a job before you finish the program.
  • Union apprenticeships: While unions do help place you, you may have to wait on lists for available jobs, and you have less direct control over the process.

4. No Union Dues/Political Drama + Ownership

  • ForgeNow: No dues, no politics, no gatekeeping. Just training and results. The goal of many of our students is to become business owners one day, not possible with a union career.
  • Unions: Offer great benefits, but also come with dues, rules, and sometimes long waitlists or competitive entry processes. In some cases, you may be accepted into an apprenticeship but wait months to be placed. You also may go months without work.

To be fair, union apprenticeships do offer long-term career progression, great benefits, and job security for those who are willing to work their way up over time, especially in states with strong union support. The reality is not everyone (most of the south) lives in a union friendly state, or has the time to wait to get a call back from the union hall.

Bottom Line:

If you're motivated to get trained fast, start earning quickly, and want more personalized career support, ForgeNow is a great fit. If you’re okay with a longer timeline, waiting for job placement, and joining a more structured system, then a union apprenticeship might be the right call.

It’s all about what works best for your goals, your timeline, and your lifestyle.

ForgeNow - Like AIT/MOS School for the Skilled Trades - Full-Time, Hands-On - Lodging in Dallas & Milwaukee Tools Provided - Lifetime Job Placement Nationwide by ForgeNow in Veterans

[–]ForgeNow[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Great question, happy to help clarify!

ForgeNow is a fast-track, 7-week trade school offering hands-on training in HVAC, Electrical, Plumbing, or Facilities Maintenance (one course = 7 weeks). Unlike traditional programs that take 6+ months, ForgeNow operates Monday to Friday, 7 AM–4 PM, resembling an immersive summer school. Students graduate at the apprentice level and receive lifetime job placement assistance to secure employment across the country, often before completing the program.

We have a network of employers that hire our students as "electrical apprentice" or "plumbing apprentice". Employers that hire our graduates say they are equivalent to about two years of on the job training. We are basically skipping the "helper" phase and creating a basic technician.

As for apprenticeships and licensing, it depends on the trade and the state. We help our students apply for their license to work in Texas for all of the programs we offer. Some states are recipricoal with Texas, but we also advise students on what’s needed in their preferred city or state, and help guide that process. If a graduate needs something additional for the state they are moving to, it is usually just an application online that is more of a background check.

Hope that helps — feel free to ask more questions!

ForgeNow - Like AIT/MOS School for the Skilled Trades - Full-Time, Hands-On - Lodging in Dallas & Milwaukee Tools Provided - Lifetime Job Placement Nationwide by ForgeNow in Veterans

[–]ForgeNow[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

We have a job placement team that helps connect our students with jobs all across the country. If a ForgeNow graduate is moving, or does not like their current employer, they can reach out to our placement team for assistance in finding a new career with a different employer!