New Hires...Electrical or Mechanical Background?

[roadgear16]

Just doing a little poll here, my company which currently consists of 4 technicians is looking to hire 2 more. 3 of the current 4 all come from a mechanical background and picked up the "controls" on the way.

Now, for the 2 new techs that we are trying to hire, our company is looking for people straight out of an electrical engineering program, that have absolutely NO mechanical experience/knowledge, or electrical knowledge (sure they can solder a diode back on a circuit board after it burns up, but do they know how to safely work around high voltage, and not just 5 VDC)

Wouldn't it be easier to take a computer literate mechanical tech, and teach him controls instead of trying to teach an electrical engineering grad mechanical systems and everything that goes with it?

Or am I just being biased?

[simsd]

Unless they are going to be doing PLC stuff and in depth industrial control engineering I have no clue why they are hiring Electrical Engineers. As a matter of fact, I have never met an Electrical Engineer in our field at all. This stuff is Mickey Mouse compared to what they have learned. They would be much further ahead to either hire and electrician who has a service background and is handy with a computer or hire and electronics/electrical technician.

I don't think they'll be able to keep an electrical engineer on staff.

[BigJon3475]

If you want them to design you a PLC or other type controllers hire a elec engineer. Otherwise the field doesnt pay enough for them. You be better of getting a guy with electrical classes and a good mechanical background or maybe someone from a power company that knows about power but not nessicarily design, thats my opinion.

[DEC920]

It's been my experience that almost anyone can learn the mechanics and become proficient at the use of programming tools for automation equipment, specifically BAS. But having an understanding of what the process you are controlling is all about is invaluable. I have known EE's that have spent 10 years in a programming capacity and really don't possess the basic mechanical expertise to "troubleshoot" system level problems.

Go with mechanical background and teach them how to use the tools.

[roadgear16]

The program that my company is looking to hire out of is an associates EE program, so they would not be electrical engineers, with a bachelors. Just to clear that up.

[dngrsone]

I'm one of those electrical engineering types (the knowledge, not the degree... yet), and I have to agree with the consensus so far-- far better to have someone with mechanical ability and some computer skills or hire someone with practical electronics maintenance/repair knowledge, not just a college grad.

Talk to Orion International and get yourself a tech or two.

[simsd]

Associates in EE? That's a little different. That might be a technician. It's not that bad to have a mix of different disciplines like this. I think if you find the right person, then they might be trainable. A person with an Associates may want to do hands on work and not theory or design.

[drafty888]

I had an associates in Data Networking (computer science-ish) and 7 years of mechanical HVAC service experience when I dropped into the controls business. I couldn't have had a better background for controls if I'd have planned it.

[BigJon3475]

greatest experience is a multitude of different aspects of the industry...

[Trublshter]

Drafty, How did you happen to drop into the controls business? I have tried unsuccessfully for the past 4 months. I tried to make sure all my ducks are in a row resume wise by having solid mechanical and electrical background, electronics training, general computer skills, DDC training. The only weak point is not having actual programming experience which I am told I would'nt do until I would be in control work for a few years. All I heard when I was doing hvac work was how all these control companies are begging for former hvac techs. I think geanerally I should have spent mopre time making friends with someone who is doing control work now.

[Trublshter]

Please forgive the spelling errors. Can't go back in and correct.LOL.

[tuncos]

Drafty, How did you happen to drop into the controls business? I have tried unsuccessfully for the past 4 months. I tried to make sure all my ducks are in a row resume wise by having solid mechanical and electrical background, electronics training, general computer skills, DDC training. The only weak point is not having actual programming experience...

Your qualifications sound excellent for switching over to a control tech. Now you just have to be in the right place at the right time. That is probably the only thing holding you back. Be sure to use some of your happy customers as references about your work ethic.

If you had verifiable programming skills, it would be much easier because that's probably where the "begging" is going on. I sure their are several people on this forum that are like me, and have programming job offers appear out of the blue sometimes, mostly from having a network of people we know that work at various companies.

[Trublshter]

I believe you are right Tuncos. I think I will go back to doing commercial hvac work and try to get some program schooling in. I've been told to take C++ or a couple others I can't think of off hand including getting A+ certification. It was unfortunate my past empoyer would not support my educational quests. I'm making sure I find the right one this time.