[RE-wrenches] Apprentice interview

Tue Apr 28 18:35:45 PDT 2015

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 <ray at solarray.com> 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 Engineer303 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" <ray at solarray.com> 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 Engineer303 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
>>>
>>>
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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
>> Skype: netconcepts
>>
>>
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