Being an Electrician, doing HVAC and/or Solar Panels abroad?

tre · Post by **tre** » October 25th, 2013, 12:41 am

I know that many countries reserve certain types of work for THEIR citizens, which is 100% understandable. However, are they any countries that would hire Electricians, HVAC or Solar Panel experts? The reason I ask is because I could learn these skills for free and make $$ the entire time I'm doing it. In 4-5 years I could be extremely skilled AND have $$ saved. My brother owns a company that specializes in all of those things. I just REALLY want to spend time qualifying myself to get a workers pass abroad and I'm not sure this kind of work would ever get me a decent pass. I already looked into Malaysia and they absolutely DO NOT hire foreign workers for those positions...ever. Same thing goes for Singapore (of course). I think this may be a problem everywhere. If a country DID allow it, I have a feeling it will be extremely low wage. So different in the USA as these skills can make you six figures. That sounds great and all, but six figures isn't going to make me happy if I'm stuck here...lol.

I've scratched the idea of spending 6 years in school to become an Engineer or go into Computer Science. I'd be over 40 when I graduated with no work experience....probably not the wisest choice. I have no Bachelors Degree in anything, so I can't get a pass to teach English legally. I'm not doing the illegal, fake degree route...not worth the risk for such little $$. So...still searching for the path to launch myself abroad. Any input would be appreciated....thanks!

tre · Post by **tre** » October 25th, 2013, 11:34 am

After doing research it looks like the majority of these types of jobs abroad are in the Middle East or in the middle of nowhere. I'll search some more, but it doesn't look promising.

Falcon · Post by **Falcon** » October 25th, 2013, 8:59 pm

Steve Hoca, who's from Ohio, does HVAC, so maybe you can ask him.

momopi · Post by **momopi** » October 28th, 2013, 2:07 pm

>_> Speaking of HVAC, I paid over $1100 for a 13 seer coil replacement this year on a property.

Not really sure about prospects abroad, but I did note that during freeway expansions in Los Angeles, many homes along the I-5 freeway were condemned and the owners left them as-is. While looking for RE I bumped into a guy who was in the process of moving, as his home will be demolished for the freeway expansion. I noticed his new-ish garage door and asked why he didn't take it down or try to sell it, and he said he hadn't thought about it. Eh??

It seemed odd to me that contractors aren't hitting up these homes to buy the doors and windows, or anything else they can remove from the home, before it gets pounded to scrap for the scrap dealer. Many of these homes also have AC units and I suspect it'd be possible to recover the R-22 gas and the AC unit for resale, if permitted? Since R-22 is being phased out I do not know all the regulations governing resale of these older systems, maybe strictly as repair parts for existing AC units?

deasil875 · Post by **deasil875** » October 28th, 2013, 2:27 pm

Tre,

If you can get your foot in the door working for a contractor that specializes in residential solar installations consider that. Even better would be to look into whether Las Vegas has any kind of government program for green home improvements. Here locally where I live in California (Riverside) the county has implemented a stimulus program called HERO https://www.heroprogram.com/ for green energy upgrades into their home, including solar which are paid alongside property taxes. Reason for the program implementation is due to the San Onofre nuclear powerplant closure near San Diego after 2 billion in failed renovations. The state is desperate for residents to lower their electric consumption because of limited funding to upgrade and augment the power infrastructure. So they are offering tax incentives (state deductions and federal credits) to make people go solar. So Cal is a hotbed market right now because of this. I just recently landed a HERO certified energy consulting (NOT sales) position with a firm that specializes in project management of residential solar installations. It is commission based, but I've closed deals already and you don't need to be a rocket scientist on solar systems. Just knowing the basics of building it and pricing is very straightforward. Number one reason that convinces clients to go solar is getting paid by So Cal Edison to put electricity back onto the grid. Combine that with the tax savings and rebates, and people are coming out on top financially (also with some pretty hefty bragging rights).

Bottom line -- market is key on where you work in solar. There is strong earning potential in this particular tech field. This consultant position is my ticket out of here with six figure earning potential and I'm well on my way. What I save and stash away for a interest compounding retirement account will allow for a very comfortable life overseas in the PI.