May I please add....
1) Must know the difference between AC and DC.
2) Must be able to identify what each prong is when shown an AC plug.
boB
On 4/28/2015 6:35 PM, Dan Fink wrote:
Esteemed Wrenches:
I teach hands-on /Intro to PV/ and/Intro to Solar Therma/l at a 2-year
technical college in Denver. Some of my students are on track to be
field installers or designers (and will take more advanced classes
next term), while others are focusing more on green building, LEED,
sustainability etc.
*To pass my classes, at the end of the term they need to:*
* Be familiar with the basic terminology of each technology
* Know how to read a system diagram and understand how the system works
* Look at a real system in the field and draw a system diagram of
it, and know the function of each component
* Know how to correctly use basic instruments (multimeter, solar
pathfinder etc) to take measurements
* Know how to safely enable and disable a system to safely
troubleshoot problems
* Be able to look up and understand manufacturer's specifications
and installation manuals online (example - torque specs)
* Know all safety and PPE requirements for any field task
* Have basic knowledge of safe and effective use of basic
installation tools
* Assemble their own basic tool kit so they are prepared for their
first internship/apprenticeship etc
* Be able to safely perform a simple task on their first job, for
example "Test and record the Voc and Isc of each PV module in this
array, each string and the whole array." or "Test, record, and
maintain each battery in this bank" and (*hopefully*) "The system
isn't charging the battery bank/ pumps are not circulating the HTF
-- see if you can find out what's wrong."
I am trying my best to educate, but it always depends on the student's
dedication, goals and dreams. And if one of my students ever uses me
as a reference to you, I promise you an honest assessment. And if they
can't do these things in an advanced class next term, I'll certainly
hear about it from the other professors!
Dan Fink
Buckville Energy
IREC Certified Instructor™ for:
~ PV Installation Professional
~ Small Wind Installer
NABCEP / IREC / ISPQ Accredited Continuing Education Providers™
970.672.4342
On Tue, Apr 28, 2015 at 6:45 PM, Ray Walters <[email protected]
<mailto:[email protected]>> wrote:
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 <tel:303%20505-8760>
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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