career advancment

[Matt B]

I am a electrician I.E. I went through a 4 year non-union apprenticeship. My third year was motor controls. My first six months in the trade I worked for a industrial contractor but that was the last I spent in an industrial setting dealing with PLCs, motor controls etc. I work commerical construction. I looking to advance my knowledge in these areas because my third year teacher wasn't qualified to teach the class, I'm espically weak in line diagrams. Im extremely intellingent and just want to be the best electrician i can and qualified enough to change directions in the field, certifications etc.

 

[brian john]

IMO Nothing beats hands on. If you willing to work, appear professional, have a aptitude for the job you want, find a contractor and apply for a job. Don't BS him tell him the truth, what you want from the trade and what you are willing to offer.

 

[celtic]

It helps if we know where you from.... a NJ class will break your budget if you are from Hawaii

 

[Matt B]

Sorry i did,t give alot of info. I'm from Louisville, KY and the union has the industrial aspect pretty much locked. I as far as i know i worked for one of the only industrial non union contractors before he went belly up. Im looking for some classes, certifications and hands on but its hard to come by

 

[ramsy]

Im looking for some classes, certifications and hands on but its hard to come by

Many city / community colleges have trade specific courses. Brows the class schedules / catalogs in your area. You just missed the spring semester in Feb., the summer session in June offers fewer classes, but either way cost per unit can be 10 times cheaper than a 4-year university campus. City colleges may cost more if they are private, not publicly subsidized by the state.

In my area, Long Beach City College has a dedicated ELECTRICAL TECHNOLOGY curriculum.

"The California Contractor’s License requirements recognize the courses listed there as partial fulfillment of the experience requirements."

"This program also meets the standards set by the California Department of Apprenticeship Standards towards the current California Electrician Certification testing. Once a student has completed the program, that student will be allowed to register to take the Electrician’s Certification Exam. For more departmental information call (562) 938-4505. California Division of Apprenticeship Standards approved school: #101."

Some ABC & NJATC schools include business models that make their classes available to none members at very expensive rates. Non members may be students off the street, or union JW's from other locals. (ie) Travelers. It's all about the money, since there is no monopoly on trade schools anymore.

My local Fullerton community college offers separate courses on international building codes, the National Electrical Code, Building wiring, and contracting.

The problem with any college is their prerequisite structure that prevents taking some classes without first completing others. However, some of this can get waived if you prove your trade experience with college administration.

The advantage to commuting from work to class at a city-college is changing clothes in the gym before class, repeating failed classes, and surviving tardies, or lack of job placement without having your apprenticeship canceled thru the State Department.

While the military-style, contractor-sponsored schools offer free tuition, I believe the opportunity cost is higher being with an all-boys-club at work and school for the next 5 years of your life. You are more likely exposed to the significant influence of the opposite sex at city colleges, especially if you mix in a gen. ed class or two and participate in organized study groups after class.

----
The Church endeared spirit, but forced coming of age into shame. Military service endeared tuition assistance, but broke all spirit and thoroughly corrupted coming of age. College forced debt and made no promises, but was the only place a well adjusted coming of age was possible.
-- Roger Ruhle at CSU Fullerton, 1994

 

[Bob NH]

The advantage to commuting from work to class at a city-college is changing clothes in the gym before class, repeating failed classes, and surviving tardies, or lack of job placement without having your apprenticeship canceled thru the State Department.
-- Roger Ruhle at CSU Fullerton, 1994

Roger,
When I clicked on the link I got a Google page that said I needed to say that I was at least 18 because the page contained adult content. I'm not concerned about the adult content but many such places are notorious for putting strange things on your computer. What's up with the link? Is it OK?

 

[ramsy]

What's up with the link? Is it OK?

Google groups makes this adult warning optional for any forums people create there. I originally created the DeModerated Zone from career-related posts that policy may prohibit discussing here. While a sticky intro invites all topics and cites libel laws for self moderation, as with any free exchange of ideas adult warnings are preferred.

Without any published references describing how sponsored-trade schools operate, sponsor practices, and the consumer-protection issues, I believe the forum provides a critical public service. Hopefully, other perspectives can step forward to add respectable facts to this issue; and the public can access those perspectives remotely without violating policy on this forum.

 

[sparkky302]

Go UNION then... Get the best training that you can.