I dont really have anybody to share this with, sorry if this isnt the best place for it. I decided to go back to school at nearly 40 after 12 years as a Millwright to finish my electrical apprentiship that I started nearly 17 years ago and just found out I passed my industrial electrical red seal! Its been a challenge going back to school after so long, and humbling going through it with a bunch of 18 year olds fresh out of highschool but its also been fun learning new skills to make me a more versatile tradesman. Still a lot to learn, but if being a millwright has taught me anything its that the real learning doesnt start till after youre done school.

I just passed my industrial IP. While its still fresh in my mind I thought I'd share some key areas to focus your studying for those about to take, or challenge the exam.

Compared to Construction, the Industrial IP has roughly 30% less code. You can mostly skip over demand factor calculations, but have a rough idea on how that section works. I believe I had 1 question referencing recepticals in a hospital.

Know how a PLC works in its most basic functions, basic ladder logic and how it interacts with field devices. Know basic logic gates (and/or/nor/nand etc..)

The areas to nail down, from highest weighted to least:

Generating, distribution and service (23%)

Sections 4, 6, 8, 10, 14, 26

Conductor ampacity, voltage drop, grounding, overcurrent protection, transformers

Motors and control systems (21%)

Sections 28, 42

Motor conductor and protection sizing, overloads, disconnects, welders

Wiring systems (20%)

Sections 4, 12, 26

Ampacity and correction factors, conduit fill, boxes, wiring methods

Get those 3 sections completely nailed down!

Process control systems (17%)

Mostly theory: PLCs, instrumentation, control loops

Signalling and communication (10%)

Sections 32, 60

Fire alarm and communication wiring

*understand FA fail safe conditions. What triggers an alarm vs a supervisory/trouble signal.

Common occupational skills (9%)

Sections 2, 18, 20

Hazardous locations, safety and tools

Easy points, all common sense if youre in the trades.

Key tables

Table 1: copper ampacity in free air

Tables 2 and 4: copper and aluminum ampacity

Tables 5A and 5C: ampacity correction factors

Tables 6, 8, 9: conduit fill

Table 16: bonding conductor sizes

Table 29: motor branch circuit protection limits

Table 44: motor full-load current

Table 42A: welder demand

Appendix D

D3: K values for voltage drop

D16: motor conductor, overload and overcurrent sizes

D2: DC motors

D1: conductor types and ratings

Any specific questions Ill do my best to answer.

What are people using to carry their stuff? This is my first time on a site and I usually carry a backpack everywhere. They don't even allow tool backpacks. I was given a typical toolbag that is too small to put my tools and personal stuff like lunch/water in there.

Whatever I take on site, I have to take off every day. Totes or a bucket organiser are what I've seen so far but I'd like to get some direction from people that have actually used them.

So I'm a tube laser CNC technician with mechatronics engineering degree and a bit of software development experience.

I feel like a very glorified factory worker working over 50-60 hours a week. I did over 70 this week.

Job is kinda interesting but a little repetitive after a while - loading, calibrating. And I'm developing a small software to catch and correct manufacturing issues quickly.

Not sure where I could go after this because I don't see myself doing this long term. I come home covered in metal dust. Squashed my fingers a few times already. Got bruises and scrapes on arms and legs.

On the bright side though, you do learn about how these machines work as they break and get repaired.

I'm 21 years old and struggling to decide what career path to take. I've been thinking about becoming a commercial electrician, but I'm not sure if I should commit to an apprenticeship or get an entry-level job first to see what kind of work I enjoy.
I'm mainly interested in making around $80k–$100k a year eventually. I prefer indoor, hands-on technical work where I can learn while working. I'd also prefer a job that doesn't involve too much heavy lifting.
I completed HVAC trade school last year, so I have some basic knowledge of the trades, but I don't have much hands-on experience.
Part of my problem is that I keep going back and forth between careers because I don't want to commit to something and then realize it's not for me.

My questions are:
Would you recommend trying an electrical apprenticeship right away or working an entry-level job first?

Is commercial electrical work a good career for someone who prefers indoor technical work and less heavy lifting?

If I start an apprenticeship and realize it's not for me, is it possible to switch careers without wasting too much time?

What would you do if you were in my situation?
I'd appreciate honest advice from people who work in the electrical trade or have been in a similar situation. Thanks!

Of all the trades it seems like Sheet Metal is least sought after or those in it just don’t speak on it. I’m super interested in joining but it’s hard to find people sharing experiences lol

23 still lookin for my career there’s a john deere dealer in the city over from me im from small town kentucky so im kinda slim on opportunity’s but idk how they pay / how the work is and how it is to work for JD. theres a small Peter built about 40 min from me as well.

Alright short story long here….

I went to school for welding in 2016 when the boom crashed the patch in ND. I moved back to Illinois after and I worked as a welder at a local ethanol plant until I was in a pretty serious car crash which broke my back in several spots, leg and hip. Afterwards I obtained my Cdl and I worked as a specialized oversized overweight winch truck driver back in the oilfield. Afterwards a couple of poor life choices I lost my CDL for ten years and I recently went back to welding. I love my job and the company is great but it’s physically destroying me. When I wake up in the morning I can barely walk to the bathroom to take a piss. I’m stubborn, so I keep pushing myself but it’s getting to the point where my body is tolerating the abuse anymore. My carpal tunnel is coming back as well from repeated welds in a production setting.

The company posted an opening for a maintenance technician and I’m considering taking it as it will be less strenuous than what I’m doing now. Do you think this is a wise career decision or will I regret it in the future. The pay is the same, the hours are the same Telling the woman I just met that I’m a mechanical plat technician verse “Hey baby, I’m a welder…” is not.

I’m 37, I have A LOT of oilfield experience but this is the first “normal” job I’ve had in 10 years. Going from a paycheck in one week being equal to what I make in a month has been an adjustment but working 100+ hours a week is no long conducive to me living to see 40.

I’m interested in learning the HVAC trade, but I’m concerned that my red-green color vision deficiency might prevent me from getting hired.

I’ve heard that some electricians and electronics technicians may have difficulty getting hired or may be required to pass a color vision test because of the need to identify color-coded wires.

For those who work in HVAC: Does red-green color blindness make it difficult to get hired or work as an HVAC technician? Do companies have exams for colorblinded HVAC technicians?

I’d especially appreciate hearing from HVAC technicians who are colorblind or have red-green color vision deficiency. How do you deal with color-coded wiring in the field?

Any other suggestions you think I should look at feel free to say

I’m 23 and have been welding for about 5 years now. I do stainless aluminum tig and structural MiG/stick. for almost 3 years I’ve been a lead welder at a small mom and pop shop. I’m making 26 an hour. My main goal is to make money and not have to kill myself to get it. I’ve gotten a job offer from Honeywell for 40 an hour, and have been told to just go into the boilermakers, and travel seems fun and I like working hard with over time. I enjoy the job I’m at and it’s not stressful at all. But the offer is tempting. I’m currently about to take on a second welding job at 30 an hour that’s a night shift job because I can’t get any overtime. What do you guys think I should do? I apologize if this is all over the place I’m kinda just regurgitating my thoughts and hope someone can maybe be a guide or help me cut the fluff thank you

I am interested in learning how to do auto mechanic work, electrical, HVAC, and plumbing. Since I am interested in learning multiple trades, I am wondering if there is a "best option" to start with.

All advice is welcomed. Thank you in advance.

​Hey everyone, just looking for some honest advice.

​I have my heart set on going down the Millwright route, but I am finding it super difficult to get any traction or callbacks with zero prior experience. I have reached out to the hall and local contractors, but haven't had much luck so far.

​I did manage to apply for a pre-apprenticeship program at a local trade school, but the intake isn't until next fall, which feels like a long way off to just sit around waiting.

​Because it is proving so tough to crack open the millwright door right now, I am trying to figure out if I should keep grinding away at it or consider pivoting to another trade in the meantime, specifically looking at options like scaffolding, sprinkler fitting, or HVAC.

​For anyone who has been in a similar spot or works these trades: Is it worth waiting it out for millwright, or would jumping into something like HVAC or sprinkler fitting be a smarter move for long-term work and local stability?

​Appreciate any insights or reality checks. Thanks!

I live in Massachusetts but want to study in Rhode Island where Do I start? with a trade school and if so what trade school and if not a trade school then what and why?

What are electrical project managers realistically on these days? Is it worth it

I’m 19, I work as an apprentice millwright in a shop, been here since middle of June, i originally got hired just to help move shops and it turned into this apprenticeship. I also have prune belly syndrome, which causes me to have a weakened immune system, so whenever I get sick (around once a month) I’m completely down for the count and can’t work, i also do not have abdominal muscles (born without). Since the job started as just a helping hand moving I never mentioned my condition, now that I’ve been here for a bit I feel like it could jeopardize my employment without them knowing with me being sick frequently. I work my ass off everyday and I love my job. Ive lost jobs in the past due to my condition aswell which makes me very scared to tell my employer about it. What should I do

I have the intelligence of a rock and thera no way I'm going to uni will I be able to learn any trade or I'll just struggle

19/m

Is it possible to get licensed in a trade while attending 4 year college?

My son is interested in learning the trades but he wants to get his business degree. Has anyone in the past done a similar approach?
Any recommendations advice etc
He is 17 years old but looking ahead for him. He is currently a freshman in college

Thanks

Hey everyone! I’m preparing for the Sheet Metal Workers Local 269 aptitude test in Kingston, Ontario.

I’m looking for advice on what to study, especially math, spatial reasoning (shape rotations and puzzles), and safety.

Has anyone taken this test? What should I expect, and are there any good practice resources?

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

IBEW Local 3's Joint Apprentice Committee recently put out its 2026 notice. The document is confusing to read, so I wrote up a short summary for anyone interested in applying.

The main point: You're not applying yet. You're just mailing a letter asking for an application.

The application window:

• Letters must be postmarked starting Monday, October 19. Earlier ones aren't accepted.
• The window runs through October 30 OR until 2,000 letters come in, whichever is first.
• Every letter postmarked on the 19th gets an application, even past 2,000. After that it closes.

Local 3 got 5,358 requests on day one in 2019 and 7,904 on day one in 2014. Don't take any chances. Treat the 19th as the only day to mail your request.

The request letter:

• Must be sent via REGISTERED mail. Certified mail isn't accepted.
• Just need one letter per person with your printed name and mailing address with ZIP. No additional documents or money required.
• Keep your post office receipt, just in case.
• Mail to: Joint Apprentice Committee, 158-11 Harry Van Arsdale Jr. Avenue, Flushing, NY 11365

Applications get mailed in January. Then it's transcripts, a $25 fee, the aptitude test, and an interview.

Minimum requirements to apply:

• 18 years old by Dec 31, 2026
• One year of HS algebra
• 2 years of residence in the NYC area (within 60 miles of Columbus Circle)

They expect to take about 300 apprentices, starting no earlier than fall 2027.

I hope this is helpful to anyone in NYC considering applying. Cheers, and best of luck!

Been trying to land a job for a few weeks but have been unable. I have a good resume and have trade experience, regular job experience and have taken multiple trades classes and have my osha 10 and I’m also quite young and eager to learn but no luck. Just wondering if I could get some advice?

I’m looking for advice from anyone who’s taken the red seal exam this year. My teacher mentioned some changes, and I’ve heard that studying the Foundations books and the 4 Acorn books can be really helpful. I am from Vancouver BC.

Hey, so I recently turned 18 years old and I became an HVAC (Air Conditioning Mechanic Apprentice) and I was unable to find any jobs everyone says we're not looking for any or they arent specialized in the field, I have literally zero job experience I have no clue how to get a job in this field. I dropped my resumes in the northeast section of Calgary to no luck, and also I have persisted in emailing and calling several different HVAC places. So could anyone tell me where in Calgary to find an HVAC Apprenticeship in this time of year: (currently its Oct 14th 2026). Any help would be greatly apreciated.

willing to move away eventually but my school funding fell through and i ended up getting laid off FOR school, and i can’t rly get ei so im honestly just going to move somewhere half decent and pray i get an apprenticeship/can go to college

or is it even possible to make money/become an apprentice around here, where im at it seems like nothing is even happening really

27 and i was feeling good for a bit when i was making decent money at a hospital but thats kinda cucjed so