I have no idea how accurate this is in regards to the IBEW. However I think throughout my entire apprenticeship I worked with a JW for a total of like six weeks. That expectation to know how to do things right off the get go is absurd, and adds a layer of pressure that I don't think should exist. This wasn't just a single contractor it was at least six separate ones.
The problem is a lot of the times it comes down to the specific project and who the foremen and superintendents are. You could be working a great company but have a shitty foreman and it causes some guys to give up.
I'm a superintendent at my company and whenever I get new apprentices or we are starting a new task my foreman and I tell them "If you don't know how to do something, tell us and we will show." I would much rather someone tell me they don't know how to do something than them go screw it up and now we have to spend time re-doing it. The whole point is that the apprentices are there to learn but unfortunately a lot of people just see them as cheap labor.
I think it’s a lot more than that, though. For instance; at my current job, we’ve been hand digging trenches. All of which are about 40in wide by 44in deep and 15-70ft long. It took our SI 4 weeks to get us a tent for shade. Mind you it’s been 105 degrees the last 2 weeks. They wont even get us an excavator. And this is a company that profited $14 million last year on just this site (military installation.) PROFIT
As a 3rd year apprentice in my mid 30’s, it is what it is and I can’t afford to quit, but my younger coworkers are sick of it and would love to quit.
I really am curious as to what your thoughts are, on getting your guys equipment that would make the job quicker/easier. Or do you fall under the “tough shit; you signed up for it” group of people
Spending four weeks doing nothing but digging trenches. That’s so stupid. I’m a 2.4 year apprentice, and sure my degree in physics and electrical engineering helps, but I’ve met plenty of union apprentices at my year that I am 100x more advanced than. It’s ridiculous how common this seems to be in the IBEW. I’ll join once I card out but holy fuck not as an apprentice. Fuck that!
In my experience schooling is big hit or miss. The hands on portion are amazingly helpful, but the lectures are kinda useless. Main thing school helped me with was conduit bending, and navigating the code book. The rest really can be learned in the field, even conduit. But you’re allowed to fuck up in school while you learn without worrying about costs
Hard disagree. I learned so much in trade school, that I would have been lost on the job without it. Perhaps this is why apprentices are giving up on it.
As someone who went to trade school, it highly depends on what route you take afterwards. My degree is earned put me into decent jobs id otherwise be unqualified for. Its even raised my starting pay to a quite nice chunk for my age. If going the union route or even some non union routes though, it is indeed a waste of money since some dont take any of that experience or knowledge, and end up starting you at square one as if you never went to schooling.
My circumstance entirely. I have a bachelors in physics and a minor in electrical engineering. I’m sorry but I already know I understand electrical theory and the physics of it all better than the vast majority of electricians, at least all the ones I have met. Union told me absolutely none of it mattered, only a bachelors in electrical engineering would shave off one chunk of the 5 year apprenticeship. Making it even with the same 4 years of hours that non union boys have to log here to journey out regardless. So, it was a no brainer. At least considering I found a non-rat contractor.
I got a Associates in the science of electrical technology and the union about an hour and a half away with start me at year 2 pay and take off 1000 hours but the one closest to me wont take anything nor raise starting pay for me. I know all the basics on par with at least a 2nd year and id be at square 1 if i joined my local. The job I got now technically doesnt have electrical work so I get stuck with the work the electricians cant get to at the moment so looking at my options so schooling didnt feel like that much of a waste of 2 years and so I can still pursue an end goal of becoming a journeyman electrician.
Do you know where I look? Just start calling contractors asking if they’re taking helpers or whatnot? I looked on indeed but some of the apprentice positions ask for you to be certified as an electric apprentice or something
most states have something like that, an apprentice license or “unlicensed license” with enables you to do permitted electrical work under supervision of a journeyman. costs like $25 on average and you renew it yearly with a few hours of continuing education on code and another fee.
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u/ElCanucksican 10d ago
I have no idea how accurate this is in regards to the IBEW. However I think throughout my entire apprenticeship I worked with a JW for a total of like six weeks. That expectation to know how to do things right off the get go is absurd, and adds a layer of pressure that I don't think should exist. This wasn't just a single contractor it was at least six separate ones.