hi all i will be emmigrating to the states in may, was going to hang around for a couple of years to see if things picked up after part p but decided to say *k it and go, what quals are accepted or do you have to do the whole apprenticeship all over again cheers m.elec [Edited by: Forum Moderator]
Your a brave man leaving it to this late stage to enquire about job prospects in the USA when your commited to going in May. From what I understand of the US, you have to have a specialist 'In demand' skill to get a work visa over there not just be qualified to do arun of the mill trade such as a Spark. But hey good luck anyway. Best bet is to look on a few US Job recruitment websites.
Electricians in the US are registered to work according to the State they intend to practice in. There isn't a national register. So you need to know where you will be working. Here's two links: - This one is for the State of Massachusetts (for example) http://www.mass.gov/dpl/boards/el/ This one offers training courses: - http://www.code-electrical.com/theelectricianslicense.html#anchor700906 You will need to satisfy any State registration official that you understand their equivalent to BS7671 (16th Edition) which is known in the USA as the National Electrical Code (NEC). This means that you will have to sit the NEC exam, a bit like our C&G 2381 exam. You can buy study books about the NEC on Amazon. Here's a link about the NEC http://www.mikeholt.com/technical.php?id=nec/technicalnecfreestuff US household wiring is different to the UK. The standard U.S. household wiring design has two 120 volt "hot" wires and a neutral which is at ground potential. The two 120 volt wires are obtained by grounding the centertap of the transformer supplying the house so that when one hot wire is swinging positive with respect to ground, the other is swinging negative. This versatile design allows the use of either hot wire to supply the standard 120 volt household circuits. For higher power applications like clothes dryers, electric ranges, air conditioners, etc. , both hot wires can be used to produce a 240 volt circuit. See this link http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/electric/hsehld.html
cheers swindon spark, i am going for a read now. i wont have a problem with the visa as my wife is american, i am going for my final interview and medical in march so when all goes well (fingers crossed) we will be going out at the end of may. also i wont need a green card to work which is just as well as they inform me i should receive one in about two years, i also think i will be given a social security number as well as a stamp in the passport on the day of the interview thanks m.elec
my kids test the rcd on my garage wiring every day when they throw their bloody shoes in the cupboard and catch the test switch. oooOOO must remember to make a cover for that soon or the old girl will be moaning again.
the wifes just been having a look at some homes go check out the prices here mates http://www.caroljones.com/Listing/ListingSearchResults.aspx?Search=f4329cae-8c91-4436-b56b-8eba6eb5948f&SearchType=geographic&ListingType=1&ListingDistrictTypeID=&FirstLetter=&Sort=1&RecommendedListingGroupName=&RecommendedListingGroupDate=&listingsearchid=&agentadmin=
Rose tinted glasses mate. "Been there done that" - lived in USA for 3 years, 6 months in Boston and 2.5 years in Irvine CA. Even got my Green Card. How would I describe the place after the 'honeymoon'? A DUMP. Best of luck mate you WILL need it. Example: daughter has asthma, one day she had an attack, took her to local hospital, total bill $1,200, $100 of which was for me sitting in the waiting room!! Yes I WAS charged $100 for using a seat in the f*g waiting room!! And nope I could not claim on my insurance. To use their variation of the English language - ENJOY!! RR
missouri is a different kettle of fish rr laid back and all that but the healthcare insurance is £300 a month so i am going to be ready for those unexpected bills especially having two young kids
In california you may present prior experience in your native country as 4-year previous experience proof. Down load any relevant forms from the missouri state contractors licensing board and have them filled in and verified over here before you go. Dont go for a license at first, hire on with a company, check out the union. You will have culture shock, ride it out, give yourself time. The intensity and rawness of America can disturb and as was mentioned health care is phenomenally expensive, this is where a company or union scheme will help. Be brave and good luck.
<u>12benny</u> have you been out there yourself mate? if you have i would like to chat if possible send us your telephone number to my email below and i will give you a call (not a stalker by the way ) m.elec.sparksupremo@ntlworld.com just havin a laugh with the email addy
so whats the average wage or hourly rate in the US. As the houses look impressive but if your only on $5 hr the ratio will roughly be the same as here?
I think that Jim Franklin has worked in the USA - if you contact him via AE3 I'm sure he'd be glad to advise. Also, it would be worth looking at this website: http://www.electrical-contractor.net/ (Disclaimer - I don't know how many other similar sites there are, nor how good or how representative this one is)
Your e-mail doesn't work. Suggest you put your Q's here on site. Ref. wages: it depends on where you are in the USA. California and New York pay very high wages esp. in the unions. eg $40-60 per hour in real terms. 36 hour week. Independent contractors charge $90-120/hr
I spoke to a couple of sparkys in San Francisco around 5-6 years ago and they were earning $45 an hour for the first 40 hours then everything above 40 hours was double time and they could do as much overtime as they liked within reason,they said they got hammered on the tax though, San Fran is a very expensive place to live though