Hi Bob;
That's an excellent point. I'm trying to figure out what is a fair
arrangement: 4 years of training is worth quite a sum of money vs. 4
years of labor in the off grid mines.
Straight up $10/ hr and I'll train them for as long as they can be
trained with raises as they reach milestones like: they can go on a
troubleshooting visit on their own.
I think some off grid living experience is a prerequisite as mentioned
before, also they've got to be able to deal with basic math and
electrical equations.
Any other prerequisites before I create an unobtainable person?
R.Ray Walters
CTO, Solarray, Inc
Nabcep Certified PV Installer,
Licensed Master Electrician
Solar Design Engineer
303 505-8760
On 4/28/2015 2:03 PM, Bob-O Schultze wrote:
An apprenticeship is the original 4 year degree. If the trainers are
good, high quality workpersons, and the apprentice WANTS to learn, the
apprentice will learn the trade. It's exactly the same in a college
situation except that the newly minted journeyman, unlike a college
graduate, will actually HAVE a trade and experience.
On Apr 17, 2015, at 5:41 PM, Chris Mason wrote:
The US currently puts little value on craft versus academia, now
everyone smart is expected to go to college. Consequently there is a
stigma on vocational education. When I did my electrical
apprenticeship in Ireland, we did two years of college, one year of
training school and one year in the field. There were 8, 000
applicants for a handful of positions.
I had a third year electrical apprentice from the US work for me on a
three month project we took on. He was absolutely unqualified and
could not answer the most basic questions on electrical theory.
I recommend you detail the educational opportunities and fund adequate
training enabling the apprentice to acheive the target qualification.
On Apr 17, 2015 4:53 PM, "Ray Walters" <[email protected]
<mailto:[email protected]>> wrote:
Hi All;
Thanks for the replies so far; I apologize for my misunderstood
attempt at humor in my initial post. I agree with Chris here, I
hire contract labor all the time, but an apprenticeship is
different. Laborers top out pretty quickly and just aren't
capable of learning the nuances of off grid electric design. Much
of the time that's all that's needed: pick this up and take it
over there,dig here, etc. I'm not looking for labor, as much as
someone who could some day take over the business ( I'm 50 now)
and go out and troubleshoot systems on their own. I consider off
grid solar to be more of a craft than mere construction contracting.
An apprenticeship implies a much longer term arrangement where
they may be paid less, but can expect training to the point of
getting their electrical license and making a career out of it.
I'm having a much harder time finding the sort of person that
wants to make that sort of commitment both in time and in
learning. Folks that have the smarts and ambition necessary are
already busy.
Thanks,
R.Ray Walters
CTO, Solarray, Inc
Nabcep Certified PV Installer,
Licensed Master Electrician
Solar Design Engineer
303 505-8760 <tel:303%20505-8760>
On 4/17/2015 6:22 AM, Chris Mason wrote:
I'm not sure how the term is used in America, but generally
"apprentice" does not mean cheap labour. An apprentice program
should be an education path to a qualification with state
recognized standards, such as Electrician or Plumber. if you just
want inexpensive labour, that's not an apprentice, that's a
helper, labourer, intern. As someone who started life as an
electrical apprentice, I object to seeing apprenticeships
shortchanging the applicants.
On Thu, Apr 16, 2015 at 7:27 PM, Dana <[email protected]
<mailto:[email protected]>> wrote:
I interview & definitely check references including: look at
a tape measure and tell me what those little marks are
between 0 & 1”, & I look in their truck or car.
If it’s clean they may take care of your vehicle then same
and if it’s a mess that’s what you can expect them to do to
your truck.
Are they smokers? Is that OK in your truck?
Can they work without checking their cell phone every time it
goes Ding or rings?
Do they have their own tools and do they know how to operate
tools like your hydraulic draw punch or wire tugger without
F%$ing it up or hurting themselves?
Does anyone do a background check on new hires?
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dana Orzel
Great Solar Works, Inc - NABCEP # 051112-136
E - [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> - Web -
solarwork.com <http://solarwork.com/>
O - 970.626.5253 <tel:970.626.5253> C - 208.721.7003
<tel:208.721.7003>
"Responsible Technologies for Responsible People since 1988"
*P*Please consider the environment before printing this email.
*From:*RE-wrenches
[mailto:[email protected]
<mailto:[email protected]>] *On
Behalf Of *Ray Walters
*Sent:* Thursday, April 16, 2015 4:50 PM
*To:* RE-wrenches
*Subject:* [RE-wrenches] Apprentice
Hi Folks;
I am considering hiring an apprentice, and I wanted to know
if any else has tried this, and what advice and experience
everyone had to offer.
Also what would be the best way to advertise: Craig's List? /
Wanted passionate techy soul to share warm fires and cold
brews with, watch beautiful sunsets over off grid arrays in
remote locations, sometimes carry leaky hazardous materials/.....
mmmm. Obviously I need some help.
Thanks in Advance,
--
R.Ray Walters
CTO, Solarray, Inc
Nabcep Certified PV Installer,
Licensed Master Electrician
Solar Design Engineer
303 505-8760 <tel:303%20505-8760>
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