Quoted: Dang Richard, I wish I was in AZ right now. Is there any work down there for a good journeyman inside wireman? I was TDY in Nogales AZ for the spring/summer/early fall of 1991 while attached to Joint Taskforce 6 and except for the fact that we lived in tents on the border all summer, I enjoyed the climate. I am seriously looking for a change of location sometime in the next 3-4 years and am heavily leaning toward Texas or AZ.
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Oh hell yes Dale! Before my accident, I was an industrial sparky (since 93) and it takes a day to find a good job (I was a foreman). Residential and commercial has even more openings. My buddy Robert is top dog for one of the largest residential/commercial electrical contractors here in the Valley, and he ALWAYS needs good help. Bi-lingual is a huge asset, but not necessary.
My uncle is top dog at Dysart School District, and I have little doubt he'd be willing to put you on if you have indutrial experience; and HVAC knowledge coupled with electrical is all but a guarantee.
Of course, residential guys are a dime a dozen, and we have a high turnover rate. But the money is not bad considering any monkey can wire a house. For indoor, industrial is where the money is at. Our foremen make about 27/hr, which is where I was. That's inculding bennies, of course. Residential leads earn about 17/hr, and commercial can run the gamut depending on your qualifications. C Cert and Motor Cert pays more, but we don't have actual JW cards unless you go IBEW local 640, but you'll hear both horror stories and success stories about being on the bench. Myself, I've never worked union. Last time I checked, though, I think JWs were starting at $20.50 or something like that.
Pay no attention to the AZ nay-sayers. We always have room for a pro-gun voter! Visit AZcentral.com for an idea of employment conditions, but the real jobs are in the Sunday Republic. If you want to shoot me an addy, I'll buy you a paper and ship it to you.
Hell, in 3 or 4 years, if all goes well, I might be in need of a full time sparky to wire houses. But I don't pay hourly except for unskilled labor. I like piece work.