Where to get Manufacturing experience

[slammer111]

Hi everyone,

I'm wondering if anyone here knows someone who runs a machine shop or other manufacturing environment, and is looking for a volunteer/intern.

I'm trying to move into this field but nobody will even look at me as I "do not have the right experience".

Thanks!

[SlowRider]

you can ask companies to offer your service for free for experiance....it might work and end you up a full time employee with pay

[slammer111]

Tried that with several companies, but so far they've been hesitant to. You'd think they'd want free labour, but I'm guessing there's some kind of liability issue, or they're not willing to front the retraining costs?

[Nssan]

what kind of education do you have?

are you looking for production work?

[WTMFBBQ]

http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/pm...772024609.html
http://www.wesgar.com/employment_opportunities-014.php

[slammer111]

I have a Mechanical Engineering Degree, and a few months of small-scale manufacturing experience. (I worked about 4 years in Construction which isn't relevant)

I don't mind starting on an assembly line, but ideally I'd also be making drawings before eventually moving into more of a supervisory role.

Already applied for the JAT position @ Wesgar, but thx for the Craigslist link.

[WTMFBBQ]

Ah, didn't know ur background.
I'm in a similar situation, just graded with a degree in Forestry from UBC.
Did 20 months of interning in process/manufacturing sector trying to stay out of the primary sector since it was and still is going into the crapper. The the company that I did 2 of my co-ops with shut down it's canadian counterpart and moved capacity to its facilities in the states for a tax break incentive putting me out of a lined up job... Haven't able to find anything half decent since jan..
I'm thinking it's time to get into health care!
I'm sure the mech eng field is going to grow

Good luck!

[OTG-ZR2]

IMHO, manufacturing is a dying trade, at least here in lower mainland BC.

I took the CNC machining course at BCIT, and could not find a decent paying job. I ended up switching careers and am much happier since.

[slammer111]

^ Oh? What do you do now?

Yeah it's hard to say. Manufacturing is definitely not huge in Vancouver, but I just thought I'd give it a chance. (I'm sick of construction)

[OTG-ZR2]

Im a mechanic. LOL i know

At the time I was looking for a job the economy was at a down point and things were slow, but its a real cut throat industry at the best of times. There is always the guy down the road saying he'll do it cheaper and quicker. Also lots of shops don't want some noob learning on there time either.