[RE-wrenches] Apprentice interview

Fri Apr 17 16:52:53 EDT 2015

Hi All;

Thanks for the replies so far; I apologize for my misunderstood attempt=20
at humor in my initial post.  I agree with Chris here, I hire contract=20
labor all the time, but an apprenticeship is different.  Laborers top=20
out pretty quickly and just aren't capable of learning the nuances of=20
off grid electric design.  Much of the time that's all that's needed:=20
pick this up and take it over there,dig here, etc.  I'm not looking for=20
labor, as much as someone who could some day take over the business (=20
I'm 50 now) and go out and troubleshoot systems on their own.  I=20
consider off grid solar to be more of a craft than mere construction=20
contracting.
An apprenticeship implies a much longer term arrangement where they may=20
be paid less, but can expect training to the point of getting their=20
electrical license and making a career out of it.  I'm having a much=20
harder time finding the sort of person that wants to make that sort of=20
commitment both in time and in learning.  Folks that have the smarts and=20
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=20
> "apprentice" does not mean cheap labour. An apprentice program should=20
> be an education path to a qualification with state recognized=20
> standards, such as Electrician or Plumber. if you just want=20
> inexpensive labour, that's not an apprentice, that's a helper,=20
> labourer, intern. As someone who started life as an electrical=20
> apprentice, I object to seeing apprenticeships shortchanging the=20
> applicants.
>
> On Thu, Apr 16, 2015 at 7:27 PM, Dana <dana at solarwork.com=20
> <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=E2=80=9D, & I look in their truck or car.
>
>     If it=E2=80=99s clean they may take care of your vehicle then same an=
d if
>     it=E2=80=99s a mess that=E2=80=99s 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,
>
>     --=20
>
>     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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> --=20
> Chris Mason
> NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer=E2=84=A2
> Solar Design Engineer
> Generac Generators Industrial technician
>
> www.cometsolar.com <http://www.cometenergysystems.com>
> 264.235.5670
> 869.662.5670
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>
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