Starting out - Electrician Talk - Professional Electrical Contractors Forum

andrewh · 04-28-2009, 11:57 AM

Hey guys,

Looking to get started in the trade but have little experience in any construction trade and only have my high school equivalency. Should I just go ahead and attempt to go out and try to find an electricans helper position or try to find some contruction labour job to gain experience in the trades.

Any tips would be ideal as I've always been fascinated with the trade and want to pursue a career in it.

Thanks!

BuzzKill · 04-28-2009, 02:03 PM

You might scroll through the history of this thread; in my short time on here, there are many people in your shoes who asked the same question and recieved good advice from many different people...good luck.

william1978 · 04-28-2009, 07:26 PM

Welcome to the forum.

william1978 · 04-28-2009, 07:28 PM

Find you a job Union or nonunion and work your ass off and pay attention and give 100% and you should be fine.

Buddha In Babylon · 04-28-2009, 09:35 PM

When you say you've been fascinated with the trade, i assume you mean the electric trade, and not construction in general. If you want to get into electric work, don't go hang drywall or lay carpet. Jump right in man, and the biggest advice i can ever give to anyone is INVEST in the right tools. You will always thank yourself, every time you have what you need, and shake your head in pity as those around you scavenge for the proper instrument to achieve their goal, sometimes improvising and ending up fouling something up. Don't be that guy. Be the dude who has what he needs the second he walks on the job.

andrewh · 04-29-2009, 01:02 PM

Thanks for the motivation and inspiration guys, I called my local today and unfortunatly they aren't doing aptitude tests until further notice but I have a consultation on Friday and they might be able to help me find a non-union shop to work with. This is pretty great news. An in is an in!

I haven't felt this keen about a career move for a long time.

Any other advice would be great as well!

dawgs · 04-30-2009, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andrewh

Thanks for the motivation and inspiration guys, I called my local today and unfortunatly they aren't doing aptitude tests until further notice but I have a consultation on Friday and they might be able to help me find a non-union shop to work with. This is pretty great news. An in is an in!

I haven't felt this keen about a career move for a long time.

Any other advice would be great as well!

This trade has fed my family for 19 yrs, and a whole lot more for others here. It is a good trade. Pay attention, work your a** off, look out for the old timers, and learn from their knowledge, ask questions. Whatever projects your involved in use your code book, you will learn a lot from using it on a regular basis. Good luck.

william1978 · 04-30-2009, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dawgs

This trade has fed my family for 19 yrs, and a whole lot more for others here. It is a good trade. Pay attention, work your a** off, look out for the old timers, and learn from their knowledge, ask questions. Whatever projects your involved in use your code book, you will learn a lot from using it on a regular basis. Good luck.

I'm like you this trade has fed me my whole life.

It has been very good to me for sure.