Where to advertise for help?

[JohnE]

Forgive me if it has been discussed recently, I haven't been around much and don't have time to search, but where do you suggest advertising for hiring an apprentice? I would like to hire someone local, with a little or even no experience. It's been 5 years or so since I've hired. I know all the options but want to hear what has worked for people here. I am now a very small shop with 2 employees and want to keep it simple. thanks in advance.

 

[satcom]

Forgive me if it has been discussed recently, I haven't been around much and don't have time to search, but where do you suggest advertising for hiring an apprentice? I would like to hire someone local, with a little or even no experience. It's been 5 years or so since I've hired. I know all the options but want to hear what has worked for people here. I am now a very small shop with 2 employees and want to keep it simple. thanks in advance.

IMO, it is best to hire someone who is enrolled in the formal labor department program or hire someone with the ability to enter a formal program and enroll him under your company, we like to use the formal program because we end up with an employee that is serious about meeting goals, and is usually a better worker and your comp insurance is usually a better rate.

 

[tkb]

Is there a trade school in your area that you could contact?

 

[rodneee]

Forgive me if it has been discussed recently, I haven't been around much and don't have time to search, but where do you suggest advertising for hiring an apprentice? I would like to hire someone local, with a little or even no experience. It's been 5 years or so since I've hired. I know all the options but want to hear what has worked for people here. I am now a very small shop with 2 employees and want to keep it simple. thanks in advance.

we were not planing to advertize but one year the local little league got us to purchase a sponser's banner on the outfield fence...we got far more people looking for jobs than we got needing electrical work done...

 

[renosteinke]

If you have a trade association, talk to them. There ARE non-union apprenticeship programs out there, and I am sure they have extra apprentices.

I know not the rules where you are, but even today - long after I got my first Contracotrs' license - I still run into questions about my 'apprenticeship' when I wish to expand into a new jurisdiction. The days of the informal OJT at a one-man shop seem to be going away.

A second idea is to hire some temps from an agency to help for a few days. Then you can sort through them until you find one whom you feel has potential. I like this 'laborer recruitment' idea, simply because so little of our work actually involves 'electricity,' while so much involves 'construction.' Ohms' law won't help you hang a transformer or dig a ditch.

 

[electricguy]

Between yellowpages and my website i must get 2-3 calls or emails a week for apprentices looking for work.

 

[ptonsparky]

I have used the local tech schools, word of mouth, and my least favorite the state unemployment office. Doesn't matter what your stated qualifications, they send everyone. Maybe even worse than an open ad in the paper.

 

[cadpoint]

Is there a trade school in your area that you could contact?

Between yellowpages and my website i must get 2-3 calls or emails a week for apprentices looking for work.

I'd advertise right in Craigslist and state exactly what you want, Screening is on you and it'll be all over the place.

I'm surprised you haven't been hearing from all type's of people all the time!

I'd go back over your phone records or resumes if you keep them and see who called twice or a show-up and had a call back.

Yeah give a vocational trained person a chance if you can, someone did for me and I've also returned the favor!


OH, ... "and keep things simple", Good Luck with that...