How do I get from a shipyard to rent-a-tech?

Newbie_Nuke · May 29, 2012, 09:19

Brand new to this forum, I'm an RCT finishing school now to get my qualification. I work for Newport News shipbuilding, and all the RCTs there are grossly underpaid, and to me, rent-a-tech seems like the way to go. It seems to me like a lot of the outage work is pretty involved stuff that requires quite a bit of knowledge of the industry, I.E. not something a freshly qualified tech could do. How exactly should I go about the process of trying to make the transfer from being a shipyard tech to working for a company like Bartlett?

Brett LaVigne · Jun 04, 2012, 10:06

Did you go through the NAV-SEA 108 course?

I started there 23 years ago. Staying put for a couple of years will save you a bunch of time trying to find junior jobs. Leave when you have enough experience for an ANSI Qualification and then hit the road. Shipyards have always expected that you live in poverty and Newport News probably has the worst reputation for that. If you leave as a junior, you may likely end up taking Decon work to fill in the gaps. Utilities want ANSI 3.1 technicians, in a couple of years that is what you'll be. There are great opportunities out there and you are in a place to get your time in quickly. Maybe a degree while your doing time would be a nice addition?

Rennhack · Jun 04, 2012, 10:18

Quote from: Newbie_Nuke on May 29, 2012, 09:19
How exactly should I go about the process of trying to make the transfer from being a shipyard tech to working for a company like Bartlett?

Calling a company like Bartlett would be a great way to go about the process. 800-225-0385

UncaBuffalo · Jun 05, 2012, 01:16

Quote from: Brett LaVigne on Jun 04, 2012, 10:06
Staying put for a couple of years will save you a bunch of time trying to find junior jobs. Leave when you have enough experience for an ANSI Qualification and then hit the road. ...If you leave as a junior, you may likely end up taking Decon work to fill in the gaps. Utilities want ANSI 3.1 technicians, in a couple of years that is what you'll be. There are great opportunities out there and you are in a place to get your time in quickly. Maybe a degree while your doing time would be a nice addition?

!!!

radcoon · Jun 08, 2012, 09:39

I am also an RCT from Newport News shipbuilding (Can someone say Enterprise??) who is almost finished with my NAVSEA 108 qualification, and I was wondering if moving to a new employer would be easier as an Engineer rather than as a tech?? I have a degree in math and physics and I could easily work on taking the classes needed to finish a second degree in engineering while I am putting in the experience for the ANSI 3.1 . I was curious about how different the competition for the engineering jobs is from the snowball chance it sounds like unknown jr. Techs have.

Due to family reasons I probably won't be leaving the Hampton Roads area anytime soon, but I like to keep my options open and consider some alternate plans.

UncaBuffalo · Jun 09, 2012, 02:13

Quote from: radcoon on Jun 08, 2012, 09:39
I am also an RCT from Newport News shipbuilding (Can someone say Enterprise??) who is almost finished with my NAVSEA 108 qualification, and I was wondering if moving to a new employer would be easier as an Engineer rather than as a tech?? I have a degree in math and physics and I could easily work on taking the classes needed to finish a second degree in engineering while I am putting in the experience for the ANSI 3.1 . I was curious about how different the competition for the engineering jobs is from the snowball chance it sounds like unknown jr. Techs have.

Due to family reasons I probably won't be leaving the Hampton Roads area anytime soon, but I like to keep my options open and consider some alternate plans.

Absolutely finish your engineering degree, if you have the chance. RadCon is a very narrow field with a VERY cyclical hiring history. You will have a ton more options with any kind of engineering degree.

Good luck!

ArthurRyan · Jun 10, 2012, 09:22

Radcoon--
A degree in Math and Physics should be enough... I would think. Not to get off topic but, wouldn't a degree in Physics be equally impressive as a Degree in Engineering? I would focus more on your experience. You then can be an individual with a Math and Physics degree with x amount of years experience.

radcoon · Jun 16, 2012, 10:20

UncaBuffalo--- I completely agree that I will have a ton more options with an Engineering degree. I was trying to aim the question towards what kind of Engineers are most desired and needed in the Nuclear energy world (Mechanical, Electrical, Civil, etc.). I like the job prospects of the energy industry and would like to stay there, and I see nuclear power as a big part of the picture for the future.

BUT... to keep this on topic, What are the things we should focus on here at the Shipyard that will help us if we ever want to try and move to the commercial world? Are there any differences between the way the jobs are done that we could learn during our 2 years of 3.1 experience.

ArthurRyan---

I would tend to agree with you that Physics SHOULD be as impressive as Engineering, but its not from an ABET (http://www.abet.org/) accredited school, and since its not "Engineering," I think the resume gets tossed out early in the process a lot of the time. Plus I know I can add more school to my schedule during the time I'm not working but unless the years of working are based on hours worked, I can't add that