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Things are happening

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Highplains Drifter
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Things are happening Empty Things are happening

Post  BC_boy Fri Feb 10, 2012 11:53 pm

So I'm trying to start my journey of becoming a lineman and things have taken a step in the right direction. I've applied with BC Hydro for the Trades Trainee position and they called me for the first phone interview a couple days ago! I was a little nervous but it just seemed like a pre-screen to see how serious I was about the job and whether I planned to follow through with this career path. I feel it went fairly well and was told that I will know within the next two weeks whether they are going to call me in for an in-person interview.


Last edited by BC_boy on Wed May 30, 2012 10:18 pm; edited 2 times in total
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Post  rcdallas Fri Feb 10, 2012 11:58 pm

Just keep your chin up and stay relaxed throughout the process. As time nears I can give you some good pointers on the interview process.

Here's one for now; They ask you why they should choose you--I don't have any bad habits, you can train me the way you want me to be.
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Things are happening Empty Good point

Post  BC_boy Sat Feb 11, 2012 12:04 am

"I haven't learned how to do things the wrong way yet so I'm a good candidate for you to teachh me how to do things your way."

Question though to Linemen from other areas, what do you think about this Trades Trainee position? It seems like a good idea to me, maybe if a program like this existed in some other places I wouldn't be reading about another apprentice dying every week or two?
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Post  Highplains Drifter Sat Feb 11, 2012 12:47 am

BC_boy wrote:"I haven't learned how to do things the wrong way yet so I'm a good candidate for you to teachh me how to do things your way."

Question though to Linemen from other areas, what do you think about this Trades Trainee position? It seems like a good idea to me, maybe if a program like this existed in some other places I wouldn't be reading about another apprentice dying every week or two?


I really like the concept of your Trades Trainee, it will be easier to weed out the bad apples. The way I see it is if you can not cut the mustard you will not be offered an apprenticeship. Good luck to you and I hope you get the job….oh yeah I like that fancy title of your job, but it would still be Grunt around me!!Laughing
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Post  Highplains Drifter Fri Mar 09, 2012 12:44 am

BC_boy wrote:So I'm trying to start my journey of becoming a lineman and things have taken a step in the right direction. I've applied with BC Hydro for the Trades Trainee position and they called me for the first phone interview a couple days ago! I was a little nervous but it just seemed like a pre-screen to see how serious I was about the job and whether I planned to follow through with this career path. I feel it went fairly well and was told that I will know within the next two weeks whether they are going to call me in for an in-person interview.
For those that don't know, Trades Trainee is a 2 year temporary position we have in BC (both the utilities and the contractors) that is meant to be a pre-apprenticeship sort of trial process. They drive the trucks, assist in installation of grounds and anchors, keep the truck organized, may be called upon to climb poles but is to never come into contact with live lines. It is basically designed to give someone the skills needed to apply for a lineman's apprenticeship, which you can do as soon as 6 months after starting up until 2 years, and if you're not ready by then, I think they assume you never will be and send you on your way.
Here's hoping things go well from here on in.

Duties:
As per IBEW Collective Agreement.
The successful candidate will:
*Apply BC Hydro accepted safety practices in all aspects of work
*Drive trucks requiring Class 5 with air brake endorsement or Class 3 with air brake endorsement *Demonstrate Occupational First Aid Level 1
*Apply traffic control requirements and use hand signals
*Assist crew in installation of proper grounds (site and truck)
*Participate in tailboard discussions
*Climb various structures
*Prepare truck for job by performing pre-trip inspection of truck or motor vehicle, selecting consumable gear and equipment and loading truck with equipment, materials and supplies
*Position and/or set up line truck at job site under the direction of the Crew Leader
*Provide ground support to line crews by maintaining live line tools, framing poles, handling handlines, and supplying tools, equipment, and materials to crews as required
*Assist in setting or removing poles/anchors, transformers, and distribution equipment cold; select required slings/ropes; tie knots; augers holes; installs screw anchors on the ground
*Operate tools and equipment: chainsaw, chain and strap hoists, BC Hydro radios, hand tools, and climbing gear.
*A Trades Trainee will NOT work on energized equipment or conductors

Qualifications:
The successful candidate will have:
*Grade 12 Graduation or equivalent (i.e. GED), with Principles of Math 11 and Physics 11
*Class 5 with air (no N or L) or Class 3 with air brake endorsement (manual transmission) preferred *Demonstrated trades and mechanical aptitude such as construction experience, mechanical, electrical or fabricating trades exposure.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
This position is affiliated with the international Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Union (IBEW local 258) www.ibew258.bc.ca
*Job Location: Various

VAR-T-8372-120116E1 - Trades Trainee
NB 50018372 - NC 50019599

*This is a temporary role that is focused on development and demonstration of those skills that are necessary to move through the career path to apply on the Power Line Technician Trade at BC Hydro. *A Trades Trainee's primary duty is to safely act as a driver/ground person driving Line or Bucket Trucks (single or dual axle).
*They will also safely participate in the construction, maintenance, and operations of the distribution system in a de-energized/cold setting.
*This may include, but is not limited to climbing, assisting in the installation and removal of poles/anchors and equipment related to the work such as transformers, and setting up of the line and/or bucket trucks.
*Successful hires in the temporary Trades Trainee position will be required to obtain successful completion and/or demonstrate of following: - Obtain training from BC Hydro on Power System Safety Protection Level 2 and Occupational First Aid Level 1. - Will be required to maintain a high level of physical fitness.

At BC Hydro, our vision Powering B.C. with clean, reliable electricity for Generations is about working together to make a difference for the future of all British Columbians. To achieve this goal, we live by our six core values of Safety, Accountability, Teamwork, Integrity, Service and Ingenuity.
Safety – keep safety first in mind, heart and action Accountability – take ownership, be decisive and move forward Teamwork – One Hydro – make it happen together Integrity – do the right thing Service – proud of our service Ingenuity – create resourceful solutions
If you share our values and are ready to join a great team, we’d love to hear from you!
BC Hydro is an equal opportunity employer.



So BC-Boy, has it happened yet?
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Post  BC_boy Fri Mar 09, 2012 2:22 am

That's a big ol' negative there Mr. Drifter. Unfortunately didn't make it in this time, there were more people that had some experience in other trades type environments which I don't have...yet. I guess I'll have to get some jobs through the hall and who knows, maybe get hired on with a contractor Smile They told me when I forst joined IBEW that it'd be my best bet to get on with the utility unless I knew someone in the contractor world, so now I'll just have to get out there and wow them with my can-do attitude and fantastic work ethic.
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Post  topgroove Fri Mar 09, 2012 3:24 am

don't get disappointed BC Boy. You are smart and have a great attitude. You will make a fine lineman. If you can get in the trade as a contractor I say go for it. Don't be afraid to travel either. When I was 18 I joined the Navy. ended up overseas stationed in Italy.
When I got out I was lucky to get a job at a utility. became a grunt and the rest is history. if your willing to relocate I'm pretty sure we can all put our contacts together and at least get you in the door with a contractor, It might even be non-union, but you'll have a great support team here.
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Post  Highplains Drifter Sun Mar 11, 2012 11:22 am

BC_boy wrote:That's a big ol' negative there Mr. Drifter. Unfortunately didn't make it in this time, there were more people that had some experience in other trades type environments which I don't have...yet. I guess I'll have to get some jobs through the hall and who knows, maybe get hired on with a contractor Smile They told me when I forst joined IBEW that it'd be my best bet to get on with the utility unless I knew someone in the contractor world, so now I'll just have to get out there and wow them with my can-do attitude and fantastic work ethic.

That job was not meant for you, a better one is coming! Keep tying.
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Post  BC_boy Sun Mar 11, 2012 6:32 pm

Thanks guys. Ya I'd say it's just as well. One of the reasons I wanted to get into this career is to be able to travel around BC, and I think I'd be doing alot more of that with a contractor than a utility. I want to get out and do the rugged middle of nowhere jobs and get to play with all the cool off road equipment. Like I've been told before, getting on with a utility offers a steady job with no chance of unemployment, but the contractor world has more of an air of freedom with little political BS. I think I'd rather get some adventure in while I'm young and start my career with a contractor and maybe when I'm older and not so full of piss and vinegar try to get a calm peaceful job with the utility.
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Post  MI-Lineman Sun Mar 11, 2012 11:39 pm

BC_boy wrote:Thanks guys. Ya I'd say it's just as well. One of the reasons I wanted to get into this career is to be able to travel around BC, and I think I'd be doing alot more of that with a contractor than a utility. I want to get out and do the rugged middle of nowhere jobs and get to play with all the cool off road equipment. Like I've been told before, getting on with a utility offers a steady job with no chance of unemployment, but the contractor world has more of an air of freedom with little political BS. I think I'd rather get some adventure in while I'm young and start my career with a contractor and maybe when I'm older and not so full of piss and vinegar try to get a calm peaceful job with the utility.

AMEN brother!! I left to early and now I'm unable to leave yet! I wouldn't believe for one minute you're safe from "unemployment" at the utility! Here anyway?
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Post  topgroove Mon Mar 12, 2012 11:59 am

BC_boy wrote:Thanks guys. Ya I'd say it's just as well. One of the reasons I wanted to get into this career is to be able to travel around BC, and I think I'd be doing alot more of that with a contractor than a utility. I want to get out and do the rugged middle of nowhere jobs and get to play with all the cool off road equipment. Like I've been told before, getting on with a utility offers a steady job with no chance of unemployment, but the contractor world has more of an air of freedom with little political BS. I think I'd rather get some adventure in while I'm young and start my career with a contractor and maybe when I'm older and not so full of piss and vinegar try to get a calm peaceful job with the utility.

Give this recruiter a call BC Boy

Company R G C Staffing Solutions
How to Apply matt@rgcstaffing.com or www.rgcstaffing.com

Its not in British Columbia, its in Alberta. They're looking for apprentices. If you get on with them it will give you the oppurtunity to get your journeyman ticket and red seal.
committ four or five years of your life, become a journeyman and the sky's the limit.
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Post  CanadianLineman Mon Mar 12, 2012 7:24 pm

Sarah,

Any time you can get any experience - ANY - it puts you ahead of the pack. I started digging pole holes for several companies and always made myself available for work with anyone linked to the line trade. Even though my Dad and Uncle were in the trade it took me more than a year of petitioning companies and smiling a lot to get in. Then there was not a large void of people to fill positions that there is now. There just wasn't a lot of opportunities where I was at the time. A few years later the tap opened and a lot of guys got into the trade then the door slammed shut again.

You are in the best possible time in my lifetime to get in. If you are fit, able to work in all the shitty weather, freeze at times and work in temps hotter than anyone else is capable of, risk your neck every day, spend months away from the family and friends, work through summer when everyone else is kicking back enjoying the lake with a beer in hand, ....... !???

Why the hell did I ever spend 40 years in this trade??!!??

Hang in there kid - you might enjoy all those pleasures soon. cheers
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Post  BC_boy Wed May 30, 2012 10:25 pm

Got a job! Just heard today and pending reference checks and a background check it's all good to go. Not linework, it's in Fleet Services as Mechanics Assistant, however it's only a summer job for July/Aug, but it's a step in the right direction and a chance to show em how great an employee I am. Thanks for the kind words and constant encouragement guys.

I figure this helps my chances of getting into line work with them too because I'll get to learn all about the different trucks in the fleet and get experience with all of 'em. Not to mention I get trainning in fall arrest and rigging an' hoisting also for this so that'll add that to my skillset for linework too.
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Post  Highplains Drifter Thu May 31, 2012 4:19 pm

cheers Good for you! Do you know what shift you will be working? This hopefully will open the door for you to accomplish your goal! Please update us on the new job, your duties and the new things you are learning.
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Post  topgroove Thu May 31, 2012 7:58 pm

BC_boy wrote:Got a job! Just heard today and pending reference checks and a background check it's all good to go. Not linework, it's in Fleet Services as Mechanics Assistant, however it's only a summer job for July/Aug, but it's a step in the right direction and a chance to show em how great an employee I am. Thanks for the kind words and constant encouragement guys.

I figure this helps my chances of getting into line work with them too because I'll get to learn all about the different trucks in the fleet and get experience with all of 'em. Not to mention I get trainning in fall arrest and rigging an' hoisting also for this so that'll add that to my skillset for linework too.

Good Job Bro! I am so happy for you Smile Now its time to shine! we're here for you bro!
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Post  hotwiretamer Fri Jun 01, 2012 7:31 pm

Congrats BC boy!!

Keep your nose to the grindstone and good things will happen!
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