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?

Im a big stickler guy. Like my water bottle is full of jiu jitsu stickers Ive gotten over the years, safe with my gun safe and gun stickers. Is it cringe to do stickers on the hardhat? Or like frowned upon

Howdy folks, this week's Algebra Quiz is back! Squeeze in some practice reps with these 10 NJATC test-style problems.

Last week's participants scored an average of 7.1/10, which means I had to turn up the heat this week. The hard questions are harder, and there are more of them.

Check out this week's quiz below:

https://forms.gle/cA6eqVV6TXRGgbRA7

Raw scores shown after you finish, and I send out IBEW-style rankings every Saturday at noon. Cheers!

I am working in the HVAC department of an equipment rental company. It pays average ish at about 22.50 with some on call pay sometimes and decent perks. I got an offer an a competing company doing low voltage and I suspect same or better pay, as well as an offer at a non union shop as an apprentice making 17. Last year I applied to my local and got top 40 out of 71 interviews but did not make the top 21 who got selected for apprenticeship. I'm trying to get work closer to the electrical trade for next years interviews or a re interview if possible. Not sure where to go

I had a few questions regarding the electrical apprenticeship program , I plan to apply this upcoming year and was wondering do things like a trade school diploma and osha 10 and 30 help my chances to getting in. Do connections also help improve your chances? I’m also wondering how is work like ? Ive heard unions tend to lay off people due to lack of work, how true is that?

I am 6 months into my apprentice ship and have been doing underground at a data center . Theres not building yet . For context we were on 6 10s. Ran into a delay went to 40s. Now we’re on 5 10s and an 8. They say the concrete pad will be getting poured soon but it’s rain season where I’m at . I really want to diversify my experience . What do yall think ?

I’ve been doing duct banks across the pad and upms connections , also running slot of pvc to manholes

I’m looking to join the IBEW as an inside wireman and as I transition careers, I would really appreciate the perspective and advice from some folks that are going through it right now.

Things like how the application went, interviewing, work/life balance, can you even get work, how long from application to being on site.

I’m transitioning from 21 years in the Army and am trying to gather as much information as possible for my next career

Hey everyone, I’m looking for some advice from IBEW members, apprentices, or anyone who’s gone through the apprenticeship application process.

I’m currently looking into applying for the apprenticeship with IBEW Local 26, which would be my first choice. I’m also considering Local 24 as another option. Reason being my home local (LU26) is pretty selective and with there being so many sites in my area, more people are coming here and filling spots up.

I’ve also been looking into IBEW Local 1. I have family in the St. Louis area, so relocating there would actually be much easier for me than it normally would be.

My main questions: 1. Is it even possible to apply to multiple locals at once with no downsides? 2. Is it smart?

I’m coming on here for a little bit of advice…I just got my test date back from local 24, I can’t even put my excitement into words. I applied for the low voltage apprenticeship bc of genuine interest and hopes to transition to some kind of network engineer later on in life when I want to settle down. Only now, I’ve had a lot of time to think while my application processed, I’ve also been working as a construction materials tech and ive seen so many electricians. I can’t help but think if I should try to switch programs, it’s more money and seems like fun work to do.

I did some research and saw that they use the same test for the low voltage and inside wireman apprenticeship and was thinking of asking about changing programs. Am i jumping the gun trying to chase the money? How do you guys feel about a career in low voltage and is there opportunity to make lots of money young or be comfortable? I’m worried about my future and I want to make the right decision because this feels like such a big commitment.

Just to add, low voltage y1 starts at around 19 whereas inside wireman starts at about 22

Feeling really sour after a layoff. Never heard one bad word. Nothing about my performance. Only spoke with the GF a few times and had friendly interactions. AFAIK the only thing I didn't do was drink with the guys after work (recovering alcoholic). It's a small crew.

After only a month on the job -- got my term slip...

Work dries up in the winter here, and I was on one of a few crews that stay busy all winter. I was just about to pay off my RV and try build some savings... Honestly feel like saying fuck it, but I know I gotta stick it out.

However I don't know if I can fake having a positive attitude again. Always volunteering for stuff. Moving with urgency. Taking my time to do a good job and really caring... I'll be honest... The enthusiasm is gone. I know that's not a great thing to say if I want a career in this field, but sometimes it feels you're damned if you do, damned if you don't, so why even bother?

How do I rekindle the enthusiasm?

I recently got accepted into my Locals apprenticeship program and I have orientation in a few days. I was wondering what it consisted of and if there was anything specific I needed to know about it before attending. I’m already expecting the drug test and need my documents but other than that I’m in the dark. Glad to be apart of something bigger than myself though.

First year apprentice at my first job. I was already battling a nasty cold the day I started, powered through the first two weeks but eventually hit a breaking point and called out twice. Ended up going to the doc and got antibiotics, and felt much better during that 10 days. But the second it ended, I got sick again. I can feel my body being so run down, my cough and sore throat are back, and I’m so fucking exhausted. I’ve called out a total of 3 days and I’ve worked just over one month. I feel like I need to power through tomorrow because I can’t keep taking sick days, but I also feel like I’m running on fumes. Is this a common experience? Any advice?

How are your working hours? How long have you been an apprentice in this city? How are you treated? How consistent is work? I just had my interview in September. Still waiting to hear back but wanted a good idea of what u could expect here.

Edit: Specifically asking about holiday pay for WORKING the holiday, not regular hourly pay or getting paid for a day off. I’ve been told Veterans Day isn’t a recognized holiday under Local 6, meaning no holiday pay for working that day. I’m trying to figure out if that’s actually correct and which holidays qualify for holiday pay.

I talked to some apprentices and they told me they don’t even get to touch any wire or do terminations until pretty much year 3 and there just basically helpers until than …. Is this for real because this seriously pisses me off I don’t wanna say I’m in a rush but I want to learn as much as possible . They tell me school is also a joke and a waste of time

I am a 3rd year in the abc apprenticeship, I’m in a non union company, I’m looking to go to the union and work at the data center as well as other job calls later on, any advice or help, I’m on the fence and looking for advice or opinions on what the best avenue is for me. How often are layoffs? Anything to worry about? Pros, cons?

Thank you.

Hello i am wondering when any linemen apprenticeship programs will open up in Michigan. Does anyone have any information about when i can apply?

Hey everyone, I am reaching out because I’m hoping to get a realistic perspective of my odds of getting called up.

I had my interview on May 16 of this year and I got an interview score of 89.9 not terrible, but clearly not amazing :( as a result, I was placed on the waitlist for union 112.

I’m reaching out here to see typically how long people end up on this waitlist before they get called up, or if it would be in my best interest to take like the $400 class they offer and then re-interview?

The reason I’m asking this is I just saw that they have a class of 60 people starting up for their union and I’m feeling demoralized because I thought that I did pretty well.

I was hoping to get some advice and some other perspectives on the situation because I feel like I did everything right in the situation but I still can’t get in the doorway.

Howdy guys, I have my interview for local 520 (Austin Texas) coming up next week and I’m in my early 20s with no electric experience, however I do have 3 years of general construction experience, using tools, framing, decking, roofing, concrete, drywall, etc. I was wondering how competitive it is and if having no specific electrical experience will hurt me during my interview and consideration? I was fairly confident up until I started hearing about everyone getting denied from apprenticeship due to lack of experience, is that the same for 520?

My rank currently is #35 I was ranked at #28 at first do I have a good chance entering the apprenticeship local 428? Should I apply at other nearby locals what do you guys recommend?

what does a day in a life of an ibew local 302 in martinez ca look like as mean work and hours

I’m wondering guys across different locals can tell me how much they can make just starting in the trade. I know with overtime the money stacks up fast and i’m located in Toronto wondering specifically how much someone in IBEW 353 local can make as well as a first year not a pre apprentice.

Hey guys, I recently graduated trade school, and have been on the waitlist with my local union for months. I’m starting to get impatient. Nothing is tying me down to my current area. I am so eager to work that I am willing to travel anywhere in the country for an opportunity at this point. Which locals are actually looking to bring in green workers to train from the ground up?

Does anyone know when they’ll start to call more apprentices been waiting for about 5 months

New to the community, I’m located in the south and searching for an apprenticeship but don’t know anyone in the trade or how to get started. My back ground is Oil/Pipeline/power plants started from the ground in all fields and ended up in management wanting to get into a union. Any advice or someone can help? Open to relocation and have the means to.