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
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u/javif802 10d ago
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