Hello, I'm a EC and run a small lighting and electrical buisiness in So California. I'm trying to find out how I would get an apprentice for part time work(25/30 hrs a week) I would like to know who to contact or how I would go about getting some good help... I'm a non-union shop and the last (2) employees lasted under a month and decided electrical work wasn't for them....One guy didn't like the attics and one didn't like ladders.
aprentice/helper
- Thread starter jute
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kkwong
Senior Member
- Location
- Sac, CA (I think)
One option would be to put an add in the paper, which you probably already have done, specifying what you are looking for. I can't really think of anything else, except maybe getting together with another merit (non-union) shop and seeing if you can steal an apprentice or helper when you need them if they have the staffing for it.
LawnGuyLandSparky
Senior Member
jute said:
I found that most people who enter the trade do so with some sort of deep-seeded desire. Electrical work doesn't tend to be something the uninspired or the clueless gravitate towards like a pet shop or Starbucks. I quit my 1st 3 electrical jobs because "this isn't for me" as well. In truth, these contractors just didn't pay enough.
growler
Senior Member
- Location
- Atlanta,GA
jute said:
People that like to work or need to work are not interested in a part time jobs. People that only want to work part time tend to have other interest.
Find a way to give them at least 40 hrs. and pay them more and you will get better help. When I was young I would laugh at part time work, I would rather here that they were working 60 hrs. a week than 30. If you are only getting 30 hrs. a week you need to be looking for a job.
LarryFine
Master Electrician Electric Contractor Richmond VA
- Location
- Henrico County, VA
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor
Jute, see if there are local tecnincal schools in your area. There will be students already interested and educated.
Thanks for the replies everyone...I don't know how to do the quote thing so I did the copy and paste with the >>> pointing to my answer...
Jute, see if there are local tecnincal schools in your area. There will be students already interested and educated.
>>I'm going to a code class at the colledge I took awhile back, I remember the teacher would give out numbers of companies looking to hire people...I forgot about that and should've aready done this...
In truth, these contractors just didn't pay enough.
>>what is the average starting wage an apprentice/helper would want or getting in Southern Cal??? I know you probably don't know what aprentices are getting in different areas but I thought someone from this area might have some info???
I can't really think of anything else, except maybe getting together with another merit (non-union) shop and seeing if you can steal an apprentice or helper when you need them if they have the staffing for it.
>> do companies do this??
Thanks again!
Jute, see if there are local tecnincal schools in your area. There will be students already interested and educated.
>>I'm going to a code class at the colledge I took awhile back, I remember the teacher would give out numbers of companies looking to hire people...I forgot about that and should've aready done this...
In truth, these contractors just didn't pay enough.
>>what is the average starting wage an apprentice/helper would want or getting in Southern Cal??? I know you probably don't know what aprentices are getting in different areas but I thought someone from this area might have some info???
I can't really think of anything else, except maybe getting together with another merit (non-union) shop and seeing if you can steal an apprentice or helper when you need them if they have the staffing for it.
>> do companies do this??
Thanks again!
jute said:
Clink on the "Quote" button on the lower right hand corner of the post you want to quote from. .........Right here!!!
............................................................................................................................................... V
tyha
Senior Member
- Location
- central nc
Some of my best guys were found right out of the trade school. but suprisingly enough I found the last 2 good employess through an ad on craigslist. imagine that. I have spent thousands of dollars over the years placing ads in the local paper for usually the same people and there i do it for free
LawnGuyLandSparky
Senior Member
jute said:
In truth Jute, at the time it didn't matter to me what the average starting salary was. When I broke into the business, after 2 years in technical school with hands-on, I quickly learned a few things. First, there was an actual shortage of electricians who could wire houses quickly and accurately. That wasn't my problem. Second, most others in my age bracket were undependable. That wasn't a problem for me either. I learned that EC's were paying not based on what you did or how long you've been doing it or how long you've been with them - but they based your wage on how little they thought you would accept. A person's wage was just a dependant on your own ability to negotiate as it was your skillset and speed.
After my 3rd contractor I suddenly became a married man with a kid and another on the way. That got me 15.00 an hour, not bad for residential in the mid 80's. Almost union scale except w/o the benefits.
Good luck jute. I'm having the same problem. I've run ads and gotten no response at all. I've called every electrician I know, and some that I don't know, to see if they had any leads. Several months ago someone posted on this very forum looking for part time work. I sent him a PM and he replied that he was 40 minutes away and that was too far (?!).jute said:
A couple of months ago I found a helper on craigs list. Interviewed him on a Monday evening and agreed to start him on Tuesday morning. He never showed.
The last helper I had was referred by a good friend. I spoke to him on the phone for a few minutes and agreed to have him start the next day. 6:45 am he's getting dropped off at my house. I asked "Don't you have a license?''. Of course the answer was "Uhhh, no". He's gone now.
Let me know if come up with any secret ways to find and retain good help.
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