Apprentice/Office-Mgt. (Work??)

[TPierson]

I've been on Rat for about 3 months reading lots of your posts. I personally don't have trade as many of you obviously do. My trade is Mgt. and Office work. (Master in Business). I'm trying to enter (International workforce) as labor or apprentice regardless of years of experience in the office. I know this site is primarily for trade-hands... like yourselves. Is there much need for leadsman "helpers" in the overseas arena? I know you got to start at bottom especially if not a certified trade hand. I'm a shade-tree Mach., plumber and electrical. Taught myself the basics. Is there a need for people as myself? I've been told get hire on with ANYONE and get the clearance then the jobs are endless. But getting the first job to get sponsored is the problem.

Any thoughts?
:banghead

[guitartexan]

Most international projects do require a buisness manager on site to handle administration. This position would be tough to come by for someone with no international experience. Usually you would go to work for an international contractor in their home office to get a handle on the terminolgy, the requirements of putting a project together, contracts and pay rates, insurance and general buisness aspects of an international project. Then, after an appropriate period of time serving your "apprenticeship", if you will, you would be in the running to take on the position of buisness manager on one of these projects.

Usually these are the guys everyone else hates, so be warned.

[The Wild Rover]

Hey GT, Good text. I'm starting to like that avatar more...
TPierson, I agree with GT's post, and would go that route... and if you would like to get in the building trades as an apprentice, you should check the apprenticeships offered by your local trade unions and various trade schools in your area. Get your skills and experience under your belt, and then do the overseas gig as a tradesman. In all honesty... and I am going to piss a few people off here...but... the overseas arena is usually only for experienced Journeymen, and is not for training and schooling and teaching unskilled labor. There is almost no need for helpers or unskilled tradesmen or shadetree mechanics for the trades overseas to be honest. That only starts problems. It used to be that way occasionally to see a helper, but why house and pay for unskilled labor when you can pay a Journeyman to do it right. There are jobs that have had helpers, like HBZ in Beijing China, but that job is long finished, and most contractors are starting to require trade certification.

[TPierson]

Thanks for the input. I agree with all of it. I just would figure its hard to find hands willing ot work overseas. Didn;t think it was so hard to get in. Ok,well thanks for some insights as to how I should be looking into starting this kind of work.

[guitartexan]

ROVER, it's nice to see some people have a sense of humor on this site.:cheers

[The Wild Rover]

TPierson, if you have the desire just to go overseas, you can probably go as a CAG (Cleared American Guard) or CST (Construction Surveilance Technician). They monitor and maintain the security on the New Embassy Construction, and neither requires trade skills, and they will train you. A lot of the older construction hands, former military, and retired State Dept. people work at this and make good money. There are a lot of great people doing this, and I have many lasting friendships from over the years from these men and women that work this program.:cheers

[TPierson]

Thanks ROVER, It's a starting point. ironic you mentioned that cuz I work for Feds/State with Homeland Security in the States (LA) for 2 yrs. FEMA 3 years. Maybe that will account for something. THX

[TPierson]

Do you by chance no of any company names who do the CAG and/or CST hiring firms?

[guitartexan]

Coastal Security is one. I dont know if their info is in the contacts or not.

[Justus]

--Applied Security Technology
--Deco Security Systems
--Coastal International Security

I heard a rumor about a year ago that one of these went out of business but I can't remember which one and don't know if it's true or not. I'm sure someone else can confirm that one way or the other.