[RE-wrenches] Apprentice interview
boB at midnitesolar.com
boB at midnitesolar.com
Tue Apr 28 19:01:55 PDT 2015
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 <ray at solarray.com
> <mailto: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 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" <ray at solarray.com
>> <mailto: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 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 <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 <tel:264.235.5670>
>>> 869.662.5670 <tel:869.662.5670>
>>> Skype: netconcepts
>>>
>>>
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