[RE-wrenches] Apprentice interview

[Michael Morningstar]

Having gone through a traditional five year electrical apprenticeship, almost thirty years ago, and working as a foreman on large industrial projects, I came to know hundreds and hundreds of apprentices. Some were fresh out of high school while others were making a mid-life career change. There are, in my opinion, two types of candidates that are almost guaranteed to make ace mechanics, or as a friend used to say “A journeyman’s dream”. The first is a young person fresh off the ranch. Clean, polite, and not afraid of work.
Most likely, his or her parents instilled many of the values and attitudes we are looking for. There’s a good chance they have mechanical skills. The second type of candidate is someone who is already a tradesperson doing craftsmanship level work. At 35, I took a five year break from AE/Electrical work and went through a five year long traditional Japanese carpentry apprenticeship. I landed the gig because my sponsor had seen how I worked, and the level of work I was doing. With very few exceptions, he only hired young men who’s families lived and worked in the woods. I survived (it was a brutal apprenticeship) only because of what I brought from my past trade. Funny, after the 2007 meltdown, that work dried up and I went back into business with one of my “teachers” as my apprentice. He was hands down the best I’ve ever had. Too bad it only lasted a few years.

Having said all this, I’ve pretty much winded down my career and business for lack of good help. Two weeks ago, a young client of mine’s wife insisted on helping me wire their new barn. She grabbed two bundles of 1/2” emt, shouldered them, and then squatted to pick up a box of fittings AND the cordless bandsaw.  She was awesome. She also grew up on a local ranch.

Michael Morningstar



On Apr 30, 2015, at 12:06 PM, Ray Walters <ray at solarray.com> wrote:

> Hi Luke;
> 
> I would say that the ability to think is the primary attribute I'm looking for, and the difference between an apprentice and a laborer.  It is indeed rare.  Most folks really just don't soak up much of the knowledge we're trying to pass on, either due to lack of interest or lack of background.  They're going to need to put in some study time on their own, reading Solar Pro, Homepower, the RE Wrenches list, the NEC code, product brochures, manuals, PV Design books, and then ask lots of questions when they come back to work.
> As mentioned before, living off grid is a crash course in this subject; you've got to understand what's going on with the system or you'll soon be sitting in the dark. It creates an innate desire to study up on the subject.  I have some very well informed customers that will not suffer talking to fools.
> 
> R.Ray Walters
> CTO, Solarray, Inc
> Nabcep Certified PV Installer,
> Licensed Master Electrician
> Solar Design Engineer
> 303 505-8760
> 
> On 4/30/2015 12:46 PM, Luke Christy wrote:
>> Since we're pretty far down the road of throwing out traits that define the mythic ideal employee/apprentice, I'm going to add what I think is one of the most important (and probably most difficult to find) traits, which is the ability to THINK (preferably quickly) on one's feet to solve a problem, as well as willingness/desire to learn new skills and improve the skills one already has.
>> It doesn't seem like it's asking too much to find someone with those abilities, but it sure is rare to come across.
>> 
>> -Lukw
>> 
>> Luke Christy
>> 
>> NABCEP Certified PV Installation Professional™: Certification #031409-25
>> NABCEP Certified Solar Heating Installer™: Certification #ST032611-03
>> CoSEIA Certified PV Installer
>> 
>> Solar Gain Services, LLC
>> PO Box 531
>> Monte Vista, CO. 81144
>> SGSRenewables at Gmail.com
>> 719.588.3044
>> www.sgsrenewables.com
>> 
>>    
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
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