Looking for help... Skilled trades...

Yup. Even back in my high school days of the mid 80s guys like me that were into mechanical things were frowned upon. I was pushed into going into engineering which I didn't do. I was "told" I was going to the local community college for 2 years for "pre engineering" then to a major State college to major in "some kind of" engineering.
While going to school I found a job at a local dodge dealer that didn't give 2 $#1ts whether I had any kind of degree or anything.
When the classes I"had to take" conflicted with working, I chose work.
As far as HVAC I know enough to be dangerous and can usually get out of any bind i find myself in with a short phone call. But at 56 now I'm too old to be looking to swap fields