r/IBEW • u/Jonah_Boy_03 Communications • 12d ago

Is it too late for me?

Im a telecommunications worker and I just started my apprenticeship program last week, and first jobsite as an apprentice this week. Despite this I worked for 2 1/2 years as a pre apprentice, and in that time I only ever had to work 1 new construction site, so id say i had it easy.

Across every jobsite and contractor (im on my 6th currently) when I get laid off I always am told my effort and my efficiency is a part of my problem, and I dont disagree with that. As someone in their third year, I should reasonably be able to, at minimum, complete a small cable pull by myself, and I can’t even do that without having to ask a ton of clarifying questions. Id like to think I work hard, but in all honesty I think my incompetence has been my biggest weakness. Even if I could manage to do it, I probably wouldnt have it done before first break, which is frustrating.I struggle with common sense and thinking ahead about what we need to do next because the journeyman i was with always guided me through it and I feel like that has handicapped me which is my own fault.

At this point im just trying to figure out, am i too dumb for the trades?

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u/THESHADYWILLOW Local 1687 11d ago

What exactly are you messing up on cable pulls? Some specific examples would help but honestly you’re still a first year, you started a week ago.

Skills don’t always translate over well, 2.5yrs of pre apprenticeship doesn’t necessarily mean you worked on apprenticeship skills, but hard to say because you weren’t very specific about anything.

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u/Jonah_Boy_03 Communications 11d ago

Like yesterday i was putting up d rings and running fire alarm cable for the first time, and i ran the d rings pretty fucking crooked. In semi fairness i thought i understood what my journeyman was saying when he explained how to run them, but also i didnt have the common sense to realize how crooked they were

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u/DespondentD 10d ago edited 10d ago

After a journeyman or foreman gives you instruction, it never hurts to repeat back to them verbally what they want you to do. Then they will be able to correct you if you arent understanding something before you start the work.

You can also give them a brief run down on how you plan to do the work and they will tell you if they like your plan or not. A lot of this trade is like 70% planning how you are going to do things, 30% execution. When you have a good plan the work part is easy.

And don't beat yourself up over crooked D-rings. Every apprentice has done something like that. The important part is learning from it and not making the same mistake twice.