job opportunities/training in BC interior?

[jeffro83]

so the more i've been thinking about trying to do some quick cash every spring/summer, the more i realize, i need something steady & reliable. i'm gettin' old, and need a new line of work. anyone know how easy/difficult it is to get an apprenticeship (in pretty much anything, preferably electrical-related) in the BC interior? hell, i'm almost thinking of dumping the next 1-2yrs of my life to do a fast-track nursing degree because the work schedule/lifestyle of an RN seems to fit my bill pretty well.

have an HBA in psych (a very pretty placemat that's gone unused since graduation), and 5+yrs in telecom (service/installation/maintenance/etc). any (legitimate) suggestions?

[iscariot]

AME.

2 years school, 2 years apprentice.

Then go work for a heli-ski op pulling 6 figures and 40 days a year of free heli-skiing.

[downingred]

If you're into working in the outdoors and arn't afraid of hard, physical labour then maybe look into wildfire fighting around the Kootenays. Whether you get on with the ministry or even a private contracter its a good way to make a good ~20 G's in a busy summer.

[jeffro83]

i've thought about doing fires for years (back in ontario), but at least there...it was fairly cliquey to get in with the ministry, unless you knew someone (and even then, everyone working fires seemed to refer 5 or so buddies a season). not sure if the hiring process is any similar here. i'd just need my S-100 & chainsaw cert in ontario, i'm assuming it would be similar here. apart from already missing the boat on this upcoming fire season hiring, the biggest hurdle about a job in fires this summer is that i already have a few lengthy travel plans over the summer, which would put a kibosh on that pretty quick. priorities, i know...

[jamesp]

AME.

2 years school, 2 years apprentice.

Then go work for a heli-ski op pulling 6 figures and 40 days a year of free heli-skiing.

some buddies of mine do this. They like it but spend a lot of time away from home, especially in summer. Something to bear in mind if it matters to your situation.

[sparkletarte.]

anyone know how easy/difficult it is to get an apprenticeship (in pretty much anything, preferably electrical-related) in the BC interior?

difficult. my guy did his electrical 1st & 2nd year schooling at selkirk, and tried for 2yrs to get into either the union or a local shop. finally the union told him to go up north. just before he was about to leave, he got hired by a local shop for a contract in terrace. hopefully it turns into work locally, but if not he'll be staying up north.

Most electricians I know haven't been able to do their apprenticeship here- the first couple years at least. In his 2nd year class most people hadn't been able to get work.

[XXX-er]

you could have a good life in "Ripped bum"

[jeffro83]

difficult. my guy did his electrical 1st & 2nd year schooling at selkirk, and tried for 2yrs to get into either the union or a local shop. finally the union told him to go up north. just before he was about to leave, he got hired by a local shop for a contract in terrace. hopefully it turns into work locally, but if not he'll be staying up north.

Most electricians I know haven't been able to do their apprenticeship here- the first couple years at least. In his 2nd year class most people hadn't been able to get work.

duly noted, thanks for the heads up.