High 20's a/hr mech apprentice positions BC Hydro

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Pat Richard
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High 20's a/hr mech apprentice positions BC Hydro

Post by Pat Richard »

https://www.bchydro.com/careers/current_opp.html



$27.35 a/hr plus real benefits as an apprentice facility mechanic, $35 a/hr ticketed. No tuition.
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Re: High 20's a/hr mech apprentice positions BC Hydro

Post by conehead »

But...but... what about the Glory of Aviation?
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Re: High 20's a/hr mech apprentice positions BC Hydro

Post by Colonel Sanders »

I need the number for that truck driving school.
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Re: High 20's a/hr mech apprentice positions BC Hydro

Post by iflyforpie »

I'll haul rubber dog sh*t out of Hong Kong.
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Re: High 20's a/hr mech apprentice positions BC Hydro

Post by Pat Richard »

thought it might be of help to somebody out( *GASP!*) of work or unhappy signing out a/c for $23 a/hr.
Vehicle mech apprentice on the same page in the link was just under 24 a/hr.
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Re: High 20's a/hr mech apprentice positions BC Hydro

Post by NeverBlue »

Doesn't apprenticeship mean you have to go to school at some point?
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Re: High 20's a/hr mech apprentice positions BC Hydro

Post by NeverBlue »

Ahh I see...25% of your salary for 4 years goes towards tuition I supposed...then you have to apply for a job...you don't automatically get one....and it's really hard to get into the program because of the amount of applicants.

But an excellent opportunity if you like working outdoors.
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Re: High 20's a/hr mech apprentice positions BC Hydro

Post by Alberta_Canada »

NeverBlue wrote:Doesn't apprenticeship mean you have to go to school at some point?
For my automotive apprenticeship, it was 2 months/year unless you challenged the exams. While at school you can collect EI. While collecting EI there was still a certain number of hours you could work P/T while doing the school thing too. When you complete the apprenticeship there is a government grant for 2000 dollars. I think there was a 1000 dollar grant if you pass the 2nd year as well but I didn't qualify since I challenged that exam and didn't go the school route. The tuition was cheap (approx. 800/year plus 100 for books). My current employer even pays the tuition if you stay on a pro-rated scale for 1 year afterwards.

Overall the 2 months of school per year made very little financial impact. The schooling was (still is) 10 years behind the newest technology which made it extremely easy and boring for anyone at the dealership level. I believe it was mandatory to attend school for at least one of your years, which is why I chose to attend 4th year schooling and challenged the rest as my dealer training and experience trumped any of the crap they teach at the tech colleges.
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Re: High 20's a/hr mech apprentice positions BC Hydro

Post by chowda »

NeverBlue wrote:Ahh I see...25% of your salary for 4 years goes towards tuition I supposed...then you have to apply for a job...you don't automatically get one....and it's really hard to get into the program because of the amount of applicants.

But an excellent opportunity if you like working outdoors.

I dont know what your reading...where does it say 25% of your pay goes to tuition and the work is all outdoors?

I read it that as a APPRENTICE you get paid 27 a hour, when you are ticketed you make 35. is it because they say they pay you 75% of a journeymans rate as a apprentice?
it also says "work outside sometimes" not all the time. you are confused with either the demands of line maintenance or field helicopter work, both of which i have done. as for the rest of your advice i have no clue where your getting it from.
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Re: High 20's a/hr mech apprentice positions BC Hydro

Post by NeverBlue »

Work mostly at generating stations, sometimes outside in all types of weather
sometimes?...you should ask an apprentice about that statement.
Apprentices earn 75% of the full trade rate
...for doing the same jobs as a journeyman...who benefits?...again, ask an apprentice

$27.30/hour ($55 000) is just above poverty wages according to PR's previous posts on other threads.
the journey rate is $36.40.
that's it?
...sorry I'm paid much better than that.


I know, you'll say "but I don't have to sign off and airplane"
:smt014
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Re: High 20's a/hr mech apprentice positions BC Hydro

Post by NeverBlue »

Apprentice Mechanic
Positions Available: 4
...good luck!
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Re: High 20's a/hr mech apprentice positions BC Hydro

Post by azimuthaviation »

Its called a welfare job, transfering wealth from everyone (ridiculously high energy rates, smart meters, fees on top of fees, connection fee, etc) and redistributing it through overpaid and overstaffed HR. If an apprentice mechanic doesnt suit you, go work for ICBC, or the bus company, be a transit cop, heck a clerk at the BC goverment liquor stores make over 20 an hour. Im pretty left wing for being this far west but I dont agree with the ethics, and cant see the sustainability. Stay with the private sector, let competition and the invisible hand take its course, more people will be better off.
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Re: High 20's a/hr mech apprentice positions BC Hydro

Post by crazy_aviator »

The so-called "private" sector became big and bad ( 2008-USA ) ( century 19th-20th- offshoring $$$ ) The government in the USA in bed with big business,,,,,its ALL a sad crap shoot from this point onwards
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Re: High 20's a/hr mech apprentice positions BC Hydro

Post by Troubleshot »

Keep in mind those are starting wages too. I never hit $36/hour working for an airline. I think I was at $35/hour when I got out. The lineman I contract jobs out to in my new job are in the $55/hour range after 5 years I believe. The company they work for charges me $230/hour...
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Re: High 20's a/hr mech apprentice positions BC Hydro

Post by NeverBlue »

$45/hr

...and I've never worked for an airline...or outside
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Re: High 20's a/hr mech apprentice positions BC Hydro

Post by Troubleshot »

I think it is safe to say that it is hard to break $40/hr as an AME in Canada working full time with benefits. Contracting sure, but you don't have company paid benefits, etc...I know there are guys out there make $40 and above per hour but how many years licenced to make that? And how many years at one company? I am curious...

Only way you don't work in the "elements" in aviation is you work at: component repair shops (avionics, tires and brakes, interior,etc..), heavy maintenance, painting, and manufacturing. Usually these types of jobs pay less...not always, but most of the time. Nothing wrong with those jobs but they can be very boring and repetitive. Another avenue out of the weather is management, QA, etc...which is not for everyone.

I am willing to bet I have done equal work outdoors vs. indoors. The aircraft that is in for a "check" ,or needs an engine etc.. gets the hangar bay. One company I worked for in the past had only one hangar bay for a large jet, the answer to "how do we would get more work done" was to buy us snow suits and do it on the ramp. I'm sure I will make quite a few of you laugh at that one as I am sure you have heard that yourself at one point or another.

I worked Line Maintenance for a large airline as my last gig, everything was outdoors except cabin snags and flight-deck work. I didn't mind it really but the winter could be crappy sometimes, summer was awesome.
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Re: High 20's a/hr mech apprentice positions BC Hydro

Post by chowda »

I am willing to bet I have done equal work outdoors vs. indoors. The aircraft that is in for a "check" ,or needs an engine etc.. gets the hangar bay. One company I worked for in the past had only one hangar bay for a large jet, the answer to "how do we would get more work done" was to buy us snow suits and do it on the ramp.]

I was going to say that we must have worked at the same company then realized Ive been to more than 2 that did the same, and they werent paying over 30 bucks an hour, which is quite normal no matter what the anomaly of aviation maintenance claims.
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Re: High 20's a/hr mech apprentice positions BC Hydro

Post by NeverBlue »

I think it is safe to say that it is hard to break $40/hr as an AME in Canada working full time with benefits.
I don't think it's safe to say that at all. I have a great many colleagues that make north of $80K/year.
component repair shops (avionics, tires and brakes, interior,etc..), heavy maintenance, painting, and manufacturing. Usually these types of jobs pay less
Nothing wrong with those jobs but they can be very boring and repetitive.
...again I respectfully disagree..."Usually"???? I can easilly name a half dozen companies who's top AME's are paid $80K/yr.

Manufacturing aside...the best painters, DOM's, QA Managers, Production Managers, Crew chiefs, Shop Foreman...the point being is it depends entirely on who you work for and how good you are at what you do.
Another avenue out of the weather is management, QA, etc...which is not for everyone.
not for everyone??

...neither is making $80K/yr

Not every AME can make that...because not every AME is worth it. Why should you make what management makes if it's "not for you"??

I've head that before..."that job's not for me, even though I've applied 3 times for it"

The "sense of entitlement" here is mind boggling.

You shouldn't just get paid well because you've been there 25 years. You should get paid well because you can produce which in turn makes the company money.

You claim that a Journeyman in power generation makes about $55/hr...but their employer charges out $230/hr for their time.
In my opinion the Journeyman is being ripped off...huge...Sustainable?...we'll see

In aviation, which a lot of companies charge around $90/hr for maintenance, overhead costs are an enormous portion of that hourly charge. At all of the companies that I have worked for around 85% of their rate is overhead costs.

apples 'n oranges really.
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Re: High 20's a/hr mech apprentice positions BC Hydro

Post by Troubleshot »

I hear what your are saying Blue, but realistically I would say less than half of AME's out there are making $80K+/yr before overtime. I have been around the block a time or two and I didn't hear those kinda numbers unless you had a corporate gig. It is getting better but is still pretty low. Just look at the Encores of the world dragging it down. Frig I had several endorsements and 10 years as an AME when I applied at Porter and they offered me $25/Hr as a line AME...I had to take it because I was laid off from my previous job. Loved the job and the operation but I was basically looking for another job from day one, just due to the fact I didn't think the money was fair.

As far as the jobs I mentioned Shops, Heavy, management, QA, etc...I agree with you, not everyone is cut out for them and if you are a crappy worker you'll have a crappy job/life. But you can only get so good at changing bushings/bearings on flight controls for the 100th time in a heavy maintenance facility, it is hard for a guy to stand out in that environment.

Where I disagree with you the most is the statement "not every AME is worth $80K/year". Whether you are a solid AME or a just a parts changer I believe is besides the point. I believe the whole AME trade wage standard has to increase. If you are a crappy AME then your manager should get rid of you, not keep wages low. You mentioned you can name dozens of companies where their TOP AME's make over $80K/Year, this is good but there in lies the problem... the word "top", In my opinion you shouldn't have to wait 6-10 years to make $80K, you should start higher and finish higher, see what I am saying?

As far as the utility worker industry, well it is probably the most solid money making industry out there. The money doesn't stop at $55/HR in this trade. Trust me the wages are robust for everyone hence the high shop rate. Honestly, the more I learn about this industry and how well everyone is paid I feel better and better about leaving aviation. I have opened a lot of doors for myself buy getting into this industry. I don't believe this is apples and oranges, in both industries you have specialized people doing specialized work that if not done perfectly can cost lives. I will give you this though, power generation is basically a essential service and the demand is high, aviation is not and the margins are tight, tight, tight. Not sure how AMO's do it to be honest but something has to give.

TS
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Re: High 20's a/hr mech apprentice positions BC Hydro

Post by NeverBlue »

Whether you are a solid AME or a just a parts changer I believe is besides the point.
Well...I guess we can agree to disagree on that.

I got into this industry knowing full well the wages and the top end. I chose it anyway because it was something I liked.
Trust me
You ask me this but refuse to reciprocate. You may have been around the block a few times but to me it's obvious you haven't been on my block.

I've worked hard to get where I am and am happy with where I am.
But you can only get so good at changing bushings/bearings on flight controls for the 100th time in a heavy maintenance facility, it is hard for a guy to stand out in that environment.
I disagree...the good ones find a way to stand out...if not they'll find a place that they can find a way to stand out.
power generation is basically a essential service and the demand is high
exactly...apples and oranges

Public transit in Vancouver is essential as well...but the wages were not sustainable and look what happened.

I have a childhood friend that worked at Electro-Motive in London Ontario. He was a skilled tradesman making the same wages as the fella sweeping the floors in the same plant...simply not sustainable...they're all gone now.

I have no problem at all with you leaving aviation and finding something that pays more and is what you like. But I have a big problem with you returning to this forum and pissing in my cornflakes.
It's dishonourable and disrespectful.

where I come from if you dis a man's livelyhood he would simply not stand for it.
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Re: High 20's a/hr mech apprentice positions BC Hydro

Post by Troubleshot »

Pissing in Corn Flakes? what?? This is why every time you post you get in a heated battle. You can't debate with out getting "dishonored and disrespected". Holy shit I am speechless...

You honestly think you are fooling the rest of here with your "aviation is great" BS...grow up man! Aviation is going down the toilet in a fast, big way. Keep your head in the sand, its working.

I'm out.
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Re: High 20's a/hr mech apprentice positions BC Hydro

Post by NeverBlue »

 "aviation is great" BS...grow up man! Aviation is going down the toilet in a fast, big way. Keep your head in the sand, its working.
...and there it is...exactly what I'm talking about.

Well I guess I'd better warn everybody.

Troubleshot says "..........". And he knows 'cause he's been around the block.

So shut down the airports and shut down the schools,
Cause aviation is dead and power generation rules....

I hope you're out for good!
This is an aviation forum.
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Re: High 20's a/hr mech apprentice positions BC Hydro

Post by The Weasel »

In the helicopter world, after a couple years licenced and a handful of endorsements, a good AME would've traded lifestyle to take less than 80k/year. Most experienced field AMEs wouldn't even look at something for less than that. But, I guess helicopters aren't for everyone either.
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Re: High 20's a/hr mech apprentice positions BC Hydro

Post by NeverBlue »

... I was going to say that three of my " half dozen" companies would be

CHC International
Cougar Helicopters
Vector Aerospace
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Re: High 20's a/hr mech apprentice positions BC Hydro

Post by Pat Richard »

Troubleshot wrote:Pissing in Corn Flakes? what?? This is why every time you post you get in a heated battle. You can't debate with out getting "dishonored and disrespected". Holy shit I am speechless...

You honestly think you are fooling the rest of here with your "aviation is great" BS...grow up man! Aviation is going down the toilet in a fast, big way. Keep your head in the sand, its working.

I'm out.
yep, its like arguing with a menstrating bitch. You will never be right and no amount of logic or reasoning will ever register.

Wait a minute..menstrating..that would explain a lot...
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