If you’re getting ready to become an apprentice in your industry, check out today’s blog post for a few tips on how you can prepare.
These days, apprenticeships are more widespread. They give young individuals the chance to pick up new skills while earning some extra money. You must prepare thoroughly before applying if you want to get admitted to an apprenticeship program.
One of your first moves is to see if your neighborhood community college offers any courses that can help you get ready for the career you've always wanted. You can get direction from career counselors or centers at most colleges.
Alternatives to college, trade schools, and the Pinnacle Career Institute (PCI) are other options to consider.
An apprenticeship is a planned training program in which you learn a trade from seasoned experts while working alongside them. A few of them are offered through trade schools. The advantages include being paid while acquiring worthwhile experience.
There are two types of apprenticeship programs: paid and unpaid. A wage or hourly rate is paid for paid apprenticeships. Apprenticeships without pay don't pay, yet they frequently require lengthy hours of effort.
Both types demand that you fulfill certain conditions before being admitted to the program.
A skill set can be acquired on the job through apprenticeships. However, it's crucial to understand what you're entering into. Apprenticeships aren't always as simple as they seem. They require perseverance and hard work.
An apprenticeship may not be your best option if your only goal is to make money. In most cases, you won't earn much money while in the program.
An apprenticeship, however, can be just what you need if you're interested in building your skill set. Apprentices gain valuable experience by completing many challenges throughout their journey. After completing an apprenticeship program, a variety of occupations may open up to you.
When looking for an apprenticeship interview or program, there are many opportunities available across varying industries through registered apprenticeships, community colleges, and even a training provider. Here are a few of the best:
Several factors should be taken into account before deciding whether or not to seek an apprenticeship.
When contemplating an apprenticeship, you should first consider the sector. It's generally not a good idea to select one based just on reputation if you have no prior knowledge in the field.
Look instead at the positions that are open right now. Your understanding of the talents you'll need to acquire will improve as a result.
The possible wage you could receive during your apprenticeship should also be considered. This should all be clear in the job description.
Most apprentices do not participate in the program with the intention of becoming wealthy. Most of the time, another factor drives them.
You might not want to consider an architecture apprenticeship program, for instance, if you're interested in learning more about wind farm technology.
Consider how dedicated you are to the program as a final consideration. Are you planning on staying around for a while? Or are you planning to quit as soon as you secure a new position?
Check to see if the company has enough work for you if you intend to stay for a while so that you can build professional relationships. You probably won't have many opportunities to pick up new skills if you don't.
You must take the level of experience necessary into account when selecting an apprenticeship program. Some programs just call for rudimentary understanding, while others involve years of experience.
What academic prerequisites are needed for the program should also be on your list of questions. Before letting you into their program, many firms require that you hold a college degree.
Additionally, certain employers ask for professional qualifications. You must finish a certain amount of hours of instruction in order to earn this certification which is a measure of an apprentice's progress.
There are many things to think about when you are preparing to start an internship, such as:
You should carefully select a company before beginning your internship search. While not always simple, this is a must.
When selecting a company, there are a few additional things to keep an eye out for. Think carefully, for instance, about whether the business offers paid internships. You might have to cover your living expenses if they don't.
If you plan to apply for an internship, you should do it as soon as possible. The earlier you apply, the better the odds of you being accepted, so it's best to get that application in early.
Apply for internships as soon as possible. After the beginning of the year, the majority of businesses stop accepting applications.
Before applying for an internship with a company, do a lot of research about it. Making the appropriate choice will be easier if you follow this advice.
For instance, you ought to look online to determine if the business has ever been the subject of complaints. Check to see if the business has won any honors as well.
You should get organized while you're getting ready to apply for an internship position. Writing cover letters, arranging your resume, and even developing a portfolio all fall under this category.
Among your application materials, your resume is likely the most crucial. It's what draws attention to you.
Your ability to write professionally is demonstrated to employers through a well-written resume. In fact, it's frequently claimed that having no resume at all is worse than having one that's poorly written.
Typically optional, cover letters can truly help you distinguish out from other applicants. They provide you the chance to explain why you'd be a fantastic fit for the position.
Another way to display your abilities is through a portfolio. You can present your work and history of training in a setting that is appropriate for business.
The following things should be in a portfolio:
During an apprenticeship interview, you can find out more about the business and its culture by asking interview questions such as:
Despite what you may believe, how you present yourself at an interview can make or break whether you get employed.
You can prevent being passed over by the company by dressing suitably for the position you're seeking for.
Additionally, it can make you feel more at ease and confident throughout the interview.
Remain inquisitive during an interview to have a better understanding. Don't merely reply to the question that was put to you. Ask follow-up questions in its place.
You will understand the business and its culture better as a result. Also, it will demonstrate your curiosity.
If you are unfamiliar with the business, get ready in advance. Learn about their history and business. By doing this, you'll be able to prepare for the interview.
Give the company two weeks after sending your resume and cover letter before getting in touch with the interviewer.
They will have enough time to consider your application and get in touch with you if they decide to hire you.
Step out of your comfort zone to see the possibilities in trades, skills, and areas that you may not have considered before. Some of these include becoming a:
Most frequently, a wind turbine technician's day will involve climbing a tower for maintenance, repairs, or inspection. In light of this, a fear of heights is not a good match for this professional path.
Routine maintenance for wind turbines can include replacing parts to increase function, cleaning and lubricating shafts, bearings, gears, and other parts of the wind turbine, as well as using instruments to find any mistakes the wind turbine may be experiencing.
You have the chance to advance in this role as well. Here are some of the advanced career opportunities for wind turbine technicians:
The job of wind site manager is one of the most prominent chances for advancement. In this role, individuals are in charge of a certain wind farm's numerous operations.
This comprises keeping track of all necessary maintenance, troubleshooting, and repairs in addition to overseeing the team of wind turbine specialists' security while they are on the job at the farm.
Despite the fact that a career as a tank compliance technician may not initially seem to have any direct connection to the wind energy sector, there are actually a number of ways in which these two career paths are comparable.
People in this position are in charge of guaranteeing compliance for all tanks. A profession as a tank compliance technician is an alternative if you learn that you don't like heights.
There are many opportunities available in this field, including:
Installing, maintaining, and repairing the numerous electronic pieces of equipment on a cell site tower would be part of a tower technician's daily duties.
People who select this career path will only work on cell towers. People who are interested in this vocation should be physically fit because they will need to climb the tower to do the required maintenance and repairs.
Communications tower technicians will perform maintenance and repairs on antennas and other transmitter systems needed for communication, like cell tower technicians.
Broadcasting services like radio are frequently connected to communication towers.
A job as a mapping technician is an excellent choice if you are more interested in helping with the mapping and fabrication of towers. These people will be in charge of assisting cartographers and photogrammetrists in creating and maintaining the maps for the towers.
This is a fantastic career option for someone with strong technical skills who prefers working on a computer rather than directly on a tower.
If you don't have a fear of heights, becoming a tower climber is the perfect career for you. The only distinction between this profession and communications and cell tower technicians is that tower climbers will have a broad knowledge base that enables them to work on a range of towers.
This is a very strong professional option as it also gives you the freedom to pursue employment around the nation.
Any indoor environment, whether it be a home, a grocery shop, a mall, an office, a manufacturing facility, an airport, or a hotel, depends on its HVAC systems to function.
Every building, whether commercial or residential, needs a reliable HVAC system to provide optimum air quality and efficient heating and cooling.
HVAC is the abbreviation for Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning, and HVAC technicians or HVAC techs are the individuals that operate in this field.
These professionals, who go by the names HVAC or HVAC/R technicians, occasionally also handle the installation and maintenance of refrigeration equipment.
To make sure they are suitable for installation in a residential or commercial setting, an HVAC technician is often responsible for testing various types of units, components, and electrical circuits.
In both residential and commercial projects, they are also in charge of installing climate control, heating and cooling, and refrigeration systems.
Aside from installing the HVAC/R units, HVAC technicians are also in charge of maintaining and servicing them. To do this, they visit the locations, do repairs and maintenance, take client calls, look for flaws in the HVAC system, and fix typical problems.
Anyone working in the onshore or offshore wind and renewable energy industries must be GWO certified.
You must successfully complete each of the five Initial entry GWO Basic Safety Training components (Sea Survival Training, Fire Awareness Training, Manual Handling Training, First Aid Training, and Working at Height Training) in order to receive a certificate.
You will be given your certificate after successfully completing all of the training. This gives you official documentation proving you have the fundamental know-how and skills necessary to operate safely in the wind and renewable energy industries.
It is crucial to maintain your certificate once you have one. You must regularly complete refresher training because your certificate is only good for 24 months. Book it as soon as possible to avoid having your current certificate revoked, and give yourself plenty of time in case your preferred day is already taken.
PCI offers several programs designed specifically for those interested in becoming wind turbine technicians. We also have Tower Turbine Technician, HVAC Technician, Wind Energy Technology, and GWO Training programs.
Our programs will prepare you with the knowledge and skills you need to embark on an apprenticeship in these and other rewarding trade careers.
If you still have questions, please contact us or visit our website to apply now.