[RE-wrenches] Apprentice interview

[Ray Walters]

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

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 <dana at solarwork.com 
> <mailto:dana at solarwork.com>> 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 - dana at solarwork.com <mailto:dana at solarwork.com> - 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:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org
>     <mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org>] *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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> -- 
> Chris Mason
> NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer™
> Solar Design Engineer
> Generac Generators Industrial technician
>
> www.cometsolar.com <http://www.cometenergysystems.com>
> 264.235.5670
> 869.662.5670
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