[slixx.06]

I am a starter from Alberta who wants to be an Industrial Electrician.
After being refereed by a family friend, I got an interview tomorrow to a shop that works on Residential renovations and new constructions. I am excited to get an interview and possibly start my apprenticeship. However, I am not sure if this is the right track for me to becoming an Industrial Electrician. I realize that getting the first job is one of my biggest hurdles and that starting working at Residential will get me over that hurdle.
I really don't want to burn bridges by staying to short. I also want to stay long enough to obtain the knowledge and experience in each field. Generally, should I go Residential 1st year >> Commercial 2nd year >> Industrial 3rd year???
Any advice on how to be an industrial Electrician from my situation or from scratch in-case i don't get the residential job??

Another topic:
Got most of my hand tools, my CSTS, my ESTS and First Aid. As a starter, should I take more safety courses? any suggestions? Any more advice for a starter?
Is Starter - Electrician the right word for the objective in my resume?


Thanks in advance

 

[99cents]

An industrial electrician in Alberta means a guy who spent four years hanging tray and pulling teck cable and, once he gets his ticket, is practically useless.

You're on the right track. Spend some time doing residential, then do some commercial work and then move on to industrial. Get lots of experience. When the boom dies (and believe me, it eventually will) industrial grunts will become a dime a dozen.

 

[glen1971]

An industrial electrician in Alberta means a guy who spent four years hanging tray and pulling teck cable and, once he gets his ticket, is practically useless.

You're on the right track. Spend some time doing residential, then do some commercial work and then move on to industrial. Get lots of experience. When the boom dies (and believe me, it eventually will) industrial grunts will become a dime a dozen.

As I am an industrial electrician I resent the first half of your post... There are some that are that way, but there are also some that well rounded tradesmen.. I have installed my share of conduit, tray, and pulled cable.. Also ran crews, jobs, and worked in an engineering office... A little far from useless - in my opinion..

I started in commercial for my first two years, then moved into industrial.. Been doing it pretty much since, and have no regrets.. When in school there was a guy in my class that asked "How many houses have you wired?" (his background was resi).. I said "None", to which he replied, "How do you know anything?".. I asked "How many gas plants have you built?".. He said "None", and I asked "How do you know anything? Almost every plant I've been on have a meter, a panel, lights and a switch or two..."

Personally, I think if you start in industrial, it will hurt you as a tradesman and you'll spend alot of your first half in the trade as a grunt.. You won't get to see lots of what will be taught in school and may have a tougher time with it... In commercial or resi you'll get the opportunity to learn the basics and then some (with the right Jman)... I'd get in with a commercial or resi company to get signed up as an apprentice.. Then see where it takes you.. There are lots of career resi and commercial electricians that love where they are and want nothing to do with the politics in the larger sites...

 

[daveEM]

Check out your local union for advice also. They are typically the door to industrial work. Things may have changed tho.

 

[99cents]

As I am an industrial electrician I resent the first half of your post... There are some that are that way, but there are also some that well rounded tradesmen.. I have installed my share of conduit, tray, and pulled cable.. Also ran crews, jobs, and worked in an engineering office... A little far from useless - in my opinion..

You are a Journeyman Electrician, Glen, who specializes in industrial work, not an "industrial electrician", so to speak. To me there's a difference. You took the time to learn the trade.

Too many guys are in it for the money. They get sick of camp life or decide to settle down in the city and are virtually unemployable.

When I apprenticed, I did one year resi, one year commercial and two years industrial. On my first industrial job we had to wire lighting in a shack in a chemical plant. I had to teach my journeyman how to wire a three way switch .

 

[Jmcstevenson]

I have never worked industrial, only resi /commerical but I know 3 guys, one through school, that did their apprenticeship industrial and now want to find work in the city and can't because companies won't look at them. One of then my highschool friend is having a baby and can't get a fulltime job close to home.
When I considered working in the patch as a second year my boss cautioned me he doesnt even consider oil patch resumes. On the other hand I'm working in Drayton valley and have met guys who've done out of town work their whole lives and don't mind. Each to their own.

 

[lexav]

Hey lads,
after 15 years of F&B I have decided to become an industrial electrician. The problem is I am looking for a camp job in Western Canada as my family cannot follow me at this time.
I have a BSc in Applied Sciences from Europe that helped me to challenge and passed the 1st year of industrial electrician. I,also, completed a certificate in OHS from New Brunswick Uni with the regular 1st aid, CSTS and WHMIS.
Despite having a interesting resume, I have not found a lots of offers to be indentured( actually, none in 3 months).
Any advice from you guys??

thank you
Xavier

 

[99cents]

Hey lads,
after 15 years of F&B I have decided to become an industrial electrician. The problem is I am looking for a camp job in Western Canada as my family cannot follow me at this time.
I have a BSc in Applied Sciences from Europe that helped me to challenge and passed the 1st year of industrial electrician. I,also, completed a certificate in OHS from New Brunswick Uni with the regular 1st aid, CSTS and WHMIS.
Despite having a interesting resume, I have not found a lots of offers to be indentured( actually, none in 3 months).
Any advice from you guys??

thank you
Xavier

No such thing as a separate trade designation for "Industrial Electrician" where you want to go. Either you're an Electrician (or apprentice) or you're not. Highly unlikely that an unindentured newby will land a camp job, particularly if he is trying to do it from out of province. You need to move to Alberta, attempt to find someone who will hire a starter (probably residential) and then go from there.