Sorry to bump an old thread, but, 1-5-3-6-2-4 (sorry don't know your name) seen you around on Pshop a few times. Did you have any offroad experience before going to work in the mines?

I've been HET and a welder for the last six years, mainly doing gravel trucks, but in the last 3 years have got a huge influx of highway units in to the shop. Never had time to go to school, so I'm challenging my first and 2nd year this year, and then I guess I'll go to school for 3rd and 4th year, before I try to get on up north. Shop is busy as hell, but I'm not getting ahead as a contractor, stuck at $20/hr, and renting a house for $1500/mo - no OT, no holidays, no benefits - and I work more here than I would up there, I'm working 14 on 1 off here (14-16hr days). Oh and the paperwork of running a numbered company.

I figure I need to get my Jman ticket before heading up, unless anyone knows if they'll take apprentices on?

 

Lots of companies up north are taking on apprentices, it definitely helps if you have some schooling under your belt though.

 

Just got a call from Flint, they said they have no openings for HD mechs right now, but they'll ship me to Conklin to be a shovelhand for $32/hr. My buddy is on the same job, got put into a picker truck after going up as a shovel hand and is getting $46/hr. Guess my wrenching days are done.

 

Wow just saw your question now. Ha sorry brother.

No base producers do not bring on apprentices. But don't quit wrenching man. That's where the money's at. Labor and operators are a dime a dozen.

HETs are pulling $60+hr base rate. I'm still Suncor mine maintenance tracks and auxilliary.

 

So whos STILL working out of Fort Mac??

 

I'm still at CNRL Horizon working for a contractor on their Light Vehicle fleet.

Luke is here as well now with CNRL in the mine track shop I believe.