Looking for a great career?
7/30/2001 1:44:55 PM
July, 2001
A career that allows you to “let off a little steam”
By BRIDGET MORRIS
In many industrial sites the most common source of power is steam. But unlike electricity, steam cannot travel over copper wire. Instead, the steam has to be sent to various parts of the operation under pressure utilizing a series of pipes that make their way to different areas of the building.
In order for this system to work smoothly you have to get a steamfitter/pipefitter to layout, assemble, fabricate, maintain and repair the piping system. Other piping systems may carry water, chemicals and fuel for heating, cooling and lubricating.
The steamfitter/pipefitter course is offered at College of the North Atlantic in Clarenville. It is a nine-month program and enrollment is limited to 15 students. The coordinator of the course, Katherine Moss, says their main focus is teaching the students about pipe fabrication, how to use hot water heating systems, and also how low-pressure steam boiler systems work.
There are many skills a steamfitter/pipefitter develop when taking the steamfitter/pipefitter course. Some of these include being able to read and interpret blueprints and specifications to determine the type of pipe and tools to use for a particular job. They also layout and plan the sequence of tasks, making detailed sketches for pipe and equipment fabrication and installation. They learn how to cut openings for pipe in walls, floors and ceilings using hand or power tools or machines. They learn about measuring, cutting, threading, grooving, bending, soldering, assembling and installing metal, plastic and fiberglass pipes, valves and fittings. They also practice welding, brazing, cementing, soldering and threading joints to join pipes and fabricate sections of pipe systems.
If you are interested in this type of work the salaries for a starting pipefitter average $33,500. The average salary of experienced workers in this field ranges from $41,500 to $51,500.
Steamfitter/pipefitters are required in new industrial, commercial, and residential construction. Also, the renovation and maintenance of power plants and other large pipe systems and existing residential systems will increase the demand for pipefitters.
To find out more about the steamfitter/pipefitter course at College of the North Atlantic call 466-6900 or visit their website at www.northatlantic.nf.ca.
------------------------------------------------
Job prospects heating up in burner mechanics field
By BRIDGET MORRIS
You never realize how important your furnace is until it breaks down on you in the middle of a cold January night. Getting a new furnace could cost you upwards of $5,000 and nobody wants to fork out that kind of cash. Another way to fix your furnace problems - one that won’t cost you an arm and a leg - is to contact your local oil burner mechanic.
An oil burner mechanic is someone who performs the duty of maintaining and installing residential heating systems that use oil, gas and solid fuels. They have to test and adjust these systems as well as be able to interpret trade blueprint schematics.
At College of the North Atlantic in Seal Cove, just outside St. John’s, you can apply for enrollment to the oil burner mechanic program. This nine and a half month course is individualized meaning you can work at your own pace. Some people finish before the nine and a half months are up and others finish after that, it all depends on the individual. The class consists of a maximum of 12 students.
Students registering in this program are automatically considered apprentices and are registered with the Provincial Apprenticeship Board under the Department of Youth Services and Post-Secondary Education.
After successful completion of this program, and the required work experience, the apprentices qualify to write the Journeyperson’s Examination.
Employment for this kind of job is fairly good. Janet O’Rilley of College of the North Atlantic in Seal Cove says many employers are looking for oil burner mechanic graduates. Local companies interested in hiring oil burner mechanics are in Gander, Clarenville, St. John’s, and the Bay St. George area. There are also many opportunities for employment on the mainland.
Starting oil burner mechanics can make $14 an hour. Those working with larger companies can earn up to $60,000 a year. Mostly though, starting oil burner mechanics make $35,000 and up.
For more information on the oil burner mechanics program at College of the North Atlantic you can visit their website at www.northatlantic.nf.ca or contact the Seal Cove campus at 744-3929.
------------------------------------------------
Computers don’t have to be a pain
By BRIDGET MORRIS
Just about everyone who regularly uses a computer has, at some point, wanted to throw the machine out the window. Everything from viruses to crashes, bugs and glitches, those things alone are enough to make you crazy.
To fix these problems there are actually computer saints out there. These computer support specialists are individuals who are trained to design, install, and maintain LAN/WAN computer network systems. They are given a strong knowledge base of local and wide area networking, internet/intranet connectivity, network administration and the ability to function effectively with many new technologies. They also develop communication and interpersonal skills in a team environment that contributes to the base of experience needed to become a computer support specialist.
There is a computer support specialist program offered at College of the North Atlantic campuses in Carbonear, Clarenville, Corner Brook, Gander, Labrador West and Prince Philip Drive in St. John’s. It is a two-year program with each location taking 20 students per year. Keith Bussey, the program’s instructor in Labrador West, says they only take 20 students because it is easier for breaking students up into labs. He also finds that students get more out the course if there is a small enrollment.
Employment for this field has grown a lot. You can get a job with information-based businesses in both the private and public sectors. Many businesses, including school boards, colleges, libraries and entrepreneurial organizations will have the need for graduates from the computer support specialist program. The starting salaries for this field are anywhere from $23,000 to $25,000 a year.
So the next time your computer locks up or crashes don’t run for the nearest window, instead call your computer support specialist.
To find out more about the computer support specialist program at College of the North Atlantic call the campus nearest you or visit the college’s website at www.northatlantic.nf.ca.
Bridget Morris recently completed her first year of College of the North Atlantic’s two-year journalism program. She is currently working for the summer in the college’s communications department and will return to classes this fall to finish her diploma.
-30-
For more information contact:
Stephen Lee
Communications Officer
College of the North Atlantic
(709) 643-7928