Should Rocket Heating Technology become an Apprenticeship?

For many, on-the-job, practical, or apprentice-style learning is best/needed.  There are a few exceptions, but it seems like the vast majority of apprenticeships are mainly to support a very imbalanced Economy.  Do you think that it'd be a good idea to mainstream rocket heating (and other pemacultural) technologies as an apprenticeship option?  Like, to have it listed/searchable on sites like https://www.apprenticeship.gov/apprenticeship-job-finder

Why not put efforts to make it happen?  Like outreach and educate the Dept. of Energy, Dept. of Labor, etc...

If we want the technology to spread , and Paul's stated goal is to transform the way the world's houses are heated, then no. Placing administrative  barriers between learning and doing is going to create less people able to do and learn.

If we want people to experiment, refine, and explore new directions in the technology, no. The gatekeepers of technology always limit innovation.

Any sort of certification is going to make it difficult for DIY's to get the systems approved by the code  enforcers and insurance inspectors.

Finally,  we must read the zeitgeist and tack if we want to sail the mainstream. We want RMH to be popular, right? The organizations you listed are unpopular and going to become more so- if they even continue to exist.  This tech should be billed as a ancient one reborn, free to all mankind to be used, a handmade brick in the wall of independent existence, not as something that some department recognizes.  

The solution to whatever problems exist with RMH and masonry stoves is not more government,  administration, or other rigmarole.

Becoming an RMH apprentice is pretty easy:

Study some of the plans that are available here or from the Wisners, Peter Van Den Berg or Matt Walker.

Build a functioning RMH according to one of those plans.

Post pictures of your build process here at Permies

Trades and crafts have been passed down through apprenticeships for thousands of years. It's a great way to spread rocket mass heaters as well.

Or for something a bit more structured and progressive, complete with badges if you meet the requirements, you could try working towards the PEP rocket badge

The documented historical experience  is that trade organizations, formal apprenticeships, and guilds serve to limit the supply of trained labor in a field-keeping prices high for the common man and making it illegal to DIY the issue.

Yes, a fixed set of approved skills is handed down. And, yes, a skilled practitioner who can also navigate the internal politics of the guild/trade organization can make a lot of money- while the skill set is lost to the common man and then to the culture at large.

The large outlay of money then required to build a RMH or masonry stove, with most of it spent to hire the guild approved specialist, then reduces the spread of the RMH. It becomes less common and niche and Paul's efforts are for naught. All in the name of a certification.

This seems to run contrary to the Permaculture ideals and goals.

I would recommend "The Structures of Everyday Life: Civilization and Capitalism, 15th-18th Century Volume 1" and "The Wheels of Commerce: Civilization & Capitalism 15th-18th Century, Vol. 2" by Fernand Braudel to anyone who wishes to explore the effects of market restriction in the trades.

This has reminded me that I need to get back to work on my floors!

You all have a great day.

yeah jeff, you make good points for reasons that rocket heating technology and other good practices should not be mainstreamed.  however, a positive to at least consider is the increased credibility in the eyes of some if not many who (should) believe/trust in the government's approval, and they then going for such a technology that would otherwise be perceived as backward or at least doubtful. from this trust, they would then be MORE likely to want to go for it, and help create the world we're all generally hoping for

I didn't see those negatives happen with permaculture certifications.  Nothing says an apprenticeship is mandatory to build a rocket stove, just as a certification isn't mandatory to practice permaculture principles.

To build on the observations already made, it would be interesting for WL to offer a RMH Builders Certification.  I leave the exact requirements up to those who have actually built one. I see maybe a certain number of specific badges and hands on training at WL.

Jeff Lindsey wrote:If we want people to experiment, refine, and explore new directions in the technology, no. The gatekeepers of technology always limit innovation.

Any sort of certification is going to make it difficult for DIY's to get the systems approved by the code  enforcers and insurance inspectors.

I am seeing this very thing in my industry. There are some new requirements in one of the states I hold licenses in. A project I was working on in that state had more permitting/inspection/engineering fees (for the state) than the installation fees/labor of the product. That was a first.

Everything is so very specific now that I seriously doubt there will be much more innovation due to the current restrictions.

To me, before a trade can have an apprenticeship there would need to be businesses to support this trade.

I have not heard of that many businesses open to offering building rocket heating.

This is a nice concept and it would be great to see businesses that offer the building of rocket heating.

Maybe some folks here are open to starting some businesses.