Finding someone who is or has lived off grid helps a lot.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dana Orzel Great Solar Works, Inc - NABCEP # 051112-136 E - d...@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-boun...@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 <d...@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 - d...@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-boun...@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> _______________________________________________ List sponsored by Redwood Alliance List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Change listserver email address & settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/maillist.html List rules & etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out or update participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org -- 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 _______________________________________________ List sponsored by Redwood Alliance List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Change listserver email address & settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/maillist.html List rules & etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out or update participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org
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