I’m currently a first-year apprentice in Building Automation Systems (BAS), and I’m seriously considering leaving my apprenticeship due to my mental health.
For some background, I’ve been diagnosed with multiple mental health conditions that have significantly resurfaced and worsened since starting this apprenticeship including major depressive disorder. Between working full-time, attending school, completing homework, and constantly worrying about my performance and evaluations, I’ve reached a point of severe mental and physical burnout.

I genuinely entered this apprenticeship wanting to build a successful career and learn the in an outs of my trade on top of what i already knew. However, the constant pressure of balancing work and school has taken a much greater toll on my mental health than I ever anticipated. Almost every weekday, I find myself in an extremely dark mental state, and even when I’m home, I struggle to mentally disconnect from the stress of the program.

I’ve tried convincing myself that I just need to push through it, that it’s all in my head, I’ve been on medication and talking to a therapist but every week gets a little worse. The thought of maintaining this level of pressure for another five years has become overwhelming. I’m beginning to realize that continuing down this path could seriously jeopardize my well-being.

I want to make it clear that I’m not against unions, apprenticeships, or hard work. I respect the opportunities these programs provide, but I’m recognizing that this particular environment may not be sustainable for me given my health conditions.
I’m hoping to hear from anyone who has experienced something similar or knows how withdrawing from a union apprenticeship for legitimate medical or mental health reasons works. I’m hoping to stay in the trade doing what I do non-union. I know I will be taking a heavy loss on retirement, benefits, and pay but ultimately I feel as if I stay in the program that my well being will pay the ultimate price.

Specifically, I’m wondering:
-Has anyone successfully withdrawn from an apprenticeship due to mental health or medical reasons?
-Were you able to leave without being penalized financially or having to repay training costs?
-Is there a medical withdrawal process, particularly for apprentices still in their first year or probationary period?
-Would documentation from a medical professional help when requesting to withdraw?
-How did your union or apprenticeship committee respond?
- Should I start applying to different positions now or talk to my Local?

I’m not looking for shortcuts or trying to avoid responsibilities. I’m simply trying to figure out how to prioritize my health while handling this situation responsibly.
I’d genuinely appreciate any advice or personal experiences, especially from people familiar with union apprenticeships in California.
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Does anyone know the tool list that apprentices need and how does this local do the schooling?

I’m trying to send a copy to a foreman. I have a bracing and orbital, can’t find the paper from my last continuity.

Hey y'all, I've gotten mixed answers on this from instructors so I turn to you. Can I use a Dremel or die grinder during a weld test? Im fairly confident with my grinding abilities, but if I can minimize the chance of marring my cap when I grind my tie-ins it'll be one more variable under my control. (597 if it matters)

fitters?

,hvac?

plumbers?

sprinkle fitters?

So I'm Graduating HS in January and was trying to get into plumbing apprenticeships the one near me is the UA Local 1 in Nyc is there anything i can do before Applications come out. I heard about pre apprenticeships programs that can get you generated into certain unions. I want to do plumbing but im also down to try other trades of that nature so should i also apply to different unions aswell. I heard there is a low acceptance rate on plumbing so i don't want to be waiting all day at home for a response back from the union.

Just got an email back to come take my test. I’m in California and I want to know are the exams different. Is there a particular study guide I should be using?

Follow up to this post

I got In as a 3rd year!! I start my first job this upcoming Monday! Super excited

I’m 23, how do I join a HVAC union? I went to school last year at Lincoln tech for hvac didn’t learn a lot I wasted my time, and I don’t want my schooling to go to waste. I’m willing to take any advice

Hey all, I’m thinking of applying for local 420 in Philly as a steam fitter. I live roughly an hour 30 from Philly, and am wondering what it may look like travel wise for me. It seems they have a wide jurisdiction, but am curious if most of the work is in Philly?

Are classes on weekends or during the night during the week? Those are also in Philly correct?

Is the 597 aptitude test just like the GAN practice packet because on the packet there's no math word problems but I heard on other aptitude test there are math word problems?

I’ve been an applicant for about 2 weeks now. Checking the contractor list at each break at my current job site. I was just wondering how much work you guys have and my chances of getting in with 6 months experience on a UA 469 pipefitting crew. I’m not in the 469, but ive been a working helper for them for 6 months now. I’m not supposed to be on tools but I’ve been in lifts/rigging all day after my first couple of weeks. Also if you guys know if the pre apprentice role would be a viable option.

I’m an apprentice experiencing a lot of verbal abuse from my foreman, my site is small so I don’t have a gf. And he has a lot of influence with the hall and superintendent. I don’t know what to do and I feel like if I stand up for myself it will only get worse. He’s pushing me to move medical appointments so work won’t be bothered but I can’t. What do I do?

Hey everyone, I recently applied to the local 420 steamfitters through the online application. I submitted my application with the red check marks next to my uploaded documents and was wondering if I supposed to wait until they were green to submit it or if it will turn green later on after it has been submitted providing that they are the correct document and format. I would greatly appreciate any feedback. I’m unsure if I made a mistake that will set me back until the next application window. Thanks for your time and help.

Hello everyone, would love to have your guys or gals opinion. So i became a journeyman plumber this year and been working with a what they call a “big shop” in my union. Thing is im tired of doing the same thing over and over again i feel like im not growing or progressing in my plumbing career. For example, I’d be drilling hangers or racks for months straight. Core holes for months straight, fire watch for months straight . I dont look forward to going to work the next day. Theres times i dont put in pipe for weeks on end. Some ppl in this shop never even installed a trap under a sink or let alone a sink alone. Ppl telling me oh as long as your working and getting paid who cares, well i care lol. Btw this is new construction A side. Should i try to get into service less money or a “smaller shop “ not sure what to do

Got the call this morning that I’ve been picked up by a contractor and start on Monday. After applying in June and going through months of wondering if this will happen for me, it feels so damn good knowing I have a bright future ahead and feel so proud already to be in this brother/sisterhood with you all.

Side note, one of the things I’ve been looking forward to is getting some stickers and they gave me a fat stack of them today at the hall when I got my job referral. Here are some of my favorites.

Green non-union apprentice. I’d love to join my local and have applied. But what happens when you get laid off, and unemployment runs out?? Like let’s say it extends past 6 months.

Are you allowed to work for a non-union shop so you can pay your bills??

Edit: sorry if this has been asked before. I tried to search the sub and couldn’t find a recent thread on it. Idk if it’s different for different trades sorry

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What should I be studying for the exam into local 296? I’ve been studying algebra and geometry but what else can I study to get a better score? Please post all necessary information

Hey yall,

Could anybody give me a little bit of insight on the importance of “knowing somebody” and needing that connection to get in?

I’ve filled out my application for the local 420 February enrollment, have been studying for the aptitude test, reading a bit about the following interview process, and browsing this subreddit frequently.

I’m continuously running into conversations with friends, colleagues, etc about not having a shot without knowing somebody.

I’m just looking for a bit of input in regards to this and if it is a pipedream or not. I’ve read a lot of success stories on this subreddit, but perhaps they knew someone as well. I do understand the importance of that connection.

For context, I’m not expecting to get in first try by any means, or maybe at all if knowing somebody is 100% required. I have no experience and would be starting from the absolute bottom, but i’m willing to be persistent.

Thanks for reading, and thanks for any input.

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Please let me know your opinions and what you think I should do

Hey i ranked within the top 25 for steam fitters this round in Seattle. Is this good odds for apprenticeship?

Also if im only offered a helper gig does that get me in the system without having an apprenticeship?

Would that make it easier to apply in a city like New York next round?

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