Anyone have any suggestons for hiring a helper?

I need someone to come in and be able to help right away. Not much time for training. Just wondering if anyone who has much experience hiring guys has any suggestions as far as what to look for and what to avoid...

Thanks - Mike

New employees are one of our biggest problems. We are scraping the bottom of the barrel when it comes to new help. It seems to me that anyone unemployed doesn't have a job for a good reason. I know there are exceptions, but unemployment is low in our area and our pickings are slim. On our next round of hirings we are going to have a hands on test along with the paper test we now use.

[This message has been edited by Electric Eagle (edited 04-13-2004).]

If your need is for someone who is trained why not try to team up with a small contractor near you. This way you wouldn't need to take the time to train them.

where abouts are you from? I know some good people looking for work.

Electric Eagle,
Can you post or email me a sample of your test. I have been thinking to make out a test for future employees but i do not know what level to make the test at so it is a fair test.
Another words what should a entery level/helper or an apprentice know?

Thanks
Edward

Electrical Exam
#1 What Color is the green grounding
screw? __________________________
#2 When hooking up a 200 volt heater you
must use 220 volt wire.
True__________False____________
#3 Electricity will leak out of pipes if
they are not connected with rain tight
fittings. True__________False___________
#4 To trip a breaker you must stick your
foot out as it walks by.
True__________False_____________
#5 When dealing with conduit, the O.D. must
exceed the I.D. or the hole will
be on the outside.
True__________False__________
#6 A keyless fixture cannot be unlocked.
True__________False__________
#7 A circuit breaker reads “20” on the
handle, This means it can only trip 20
times before it is worn out.
True___________False__________
#8 If you plug something marked 110 volts
into a 120 volt outlet, 10 volts will
leak out and make a mess.
True___________False_________
#9 The guage of wire tells you how many
plugs you can hook into it.
True_________False____________
#10 When pulling 4/0 wire into a ½” PVC
conduit, the “PVC” stands for
“Pipe very crowded”.
True___________False___________
#11 An OHM is a Hindu Measurement of
voltage.
True___________False____________
#12 A flush mounted device may only be
hooked up to a toilet.
True___________False____________
#13 Electrical inspectors are also known
as_________________________
#14 Service entrance conductors purchased
from an electrical parts house with
current already in are very dangerous to
install.
True___________False______________
#15 If you have a molded case breaker, the
mold can be washed out with warm
soapy water.
True___________False____________

Electricman 2 posted this in January-I still think of it when somebody brings up the subject of electrical exams.

[This message has been edited by fla sparkey (edited 04-14-2004).]

[This message has been edited by fla sparkey (edited 04-14-2004).]

LOL fla sparkey. I like it!!! By the way, what are the answers??

WOW, that is one hard test.

I think I will stay in school, because we haven't covered any of that material yet.

In answer to the original poster (as an apprentice myself), the test should be fairly basic stuff.

I would think the test should focus on areas such as:

Identifying material (whether on paper or in person)

Identifying pipes (EMT,PVC,GRC, etc. whatever you would most commonly use)

Identifying pipe sizes (should definately know the difference between 1/2" and 4")

Maybe a "hands on" test for terminating simple devices (single pole switch, receptacle, 3 and 4 way switches)
and bending pipe with a hand bender.

Probably the best thing to do is find someone who is dependable and has the desire to learn.

If they show the simple skills listed above then you have a good headstart and may be surpirsed what they pick up as they go along.

The company I work for got lucky when they found me (pats self on back ). They are constantly telling me how good I am and should be (with the proper training). I keep telling them all I want to do is jump in and get the experience.
I have the desire to learn and that should be what most of your search is focused on. Just try to find a good person who wants to learn.

This is just my .02

(GA76Apprentice)

Philip