[RE-wrenches] Apprentice interview

Dana dana at solarwork.com
Fri Apr 17 14:34:15 PDT 2015


Finding someone who is or has lived off grid helps a lot.

 

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Dana Orzel 

Great Solar Works, Inc -  NABCEP # 051112-136

E - dana at solarwork.com  - Web - solarwork.com 

O - 970.626.5253  C - 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] On
Behalf Of Ray Walters
Sent: Friday, April 17, 2015 2:53 PM
To: RE-wrenches
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Apprentice interview

 

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> 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  - Web - solarwork.com 

O - 970.626.5253  C - 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] 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 InstallerT

Solar Design Engineer

Generac Generators Industrial technician

 

www.cometsolar.com <http://www.cometenergysystems.com> 

264.235.5670

869.662.5670

Skype: netconcepts






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