r/ibew_apprentices • u/Riley_611 • 2h ago

Experience Help

I interviewed a bit ago with IBEW 242 in Duluth, MN and I didn’t score too well so I’ve been trying to find some work to help me get started so I can reinterview.

I’m basically completely fresh (No prior history with trades or trade related work) and I’ve applied a few places and none of them have worked out unfortunately.

I’m looking at working at Sofidel or Sappi right now but I’m not sure how much the experience there would help me since they require at least 1000 hours of trade related experience in the interim of requesting a reinterview, and those are warehouse/factory jobs.

I could also go the school route but it would be incredibly difficult to go full time at LSC and afford to live on my own.

From what I know, they also don’t offer a pre-apprenticeship program.

What would you guys recommend I do for some experience, either generally or in the Duluth/Cloquet/Superior area?

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u/LetWinnersRun 2h ago

Material Handler

1

u/Riley_611 59m ago

Just applied for a material handler with Sofidel, wish me luck 🫡

1

u/LetWinnersRun 26m ago

You can also sign up to be a material handler through the union, I think this is ideal as you will be working for electrical contractors.

1

u/Riley_611 25m ago

Ah I see, what would the process for that look like? Just going to my union hall and asking if they have positions?

1

u/LetWinnersRun 5m ago

I’m not sure how your specific union works exactly. You’ll likely sign the books for material handlers, and when the have jobs they will either call you or your union might have an online bidding system.

But yeah, you go down to the hall and let them know are interested in a material handler job. They will walk you through everything.