devunn

I took my test, never got a letter back saying how i did, then got a letter saying to schedule a physical. I did that, just took my physical on the 27th. I also got a letter from Empire State College which congratulated me on being accepted into the Union and told me my orientation date. I've already done orientation. Does this mean I have been accepted? If so, does anyone know around about when I'll actually start working? School is supposed to start September 9th but thats all I know. I'll have to quit my current job to start school so basically im trying to find out when I'll actually start working and getting paid. Any info is greatly appreciated..i'm kinda lost on what is going on.

devunn

Anyone have any idea?

drizt27

I got 2 letters today One from Local 3 and one from Empire State College. Apparently i have electrical theory classes on Tuesdays and a college class on Mondays

which is odd because the way i understood it was that it would be either monday/wed...or tues/thurs.....not 2 days in a row

but whatever...at least i know whats goin on with the school end of things

sopranocaponyc

That is Odd, Ussally your elec therory class is at 4 or 4;30-6:30 and the college right after that on either mon/wed or tues/wed. i'd call empire and the apprentcie dept see whats up. I'm still waiting to see whats going on.

sopranocaponyc

The way it works is you start school then about 6 months after u start school u normally start work cause so many A guys out, Thats how it was back in 02-03. You are in Congrats. pay attention in elec therory and don't spend to much time in "the Flight" the bar around the corner before class. College classes are a joke IMO. 1st half of 1st half is fairly easy, 2nd half of 1st half is where u do more and more math, But if you know the formauals u will be fine.

al13nw4r3LC76

Good old Ohm's law. How about some AC Theory XL=2x3.28xFxL

or XC = 1/2x3.28xFxC

devunn

6 months? Wow, guess I won't be able to do this then. My classes are at 4 and 4:30 and theres no way i'll be able to get off work to go to these classes. So that means i'll have to quit my job and I can't exactly survive for 6 months with no job.

Boneshaker

Think long and hard about it. You are not looking at a job with the union, you are looking at a career. You should be able to qualify for unemployment to help you survive. Classes 2 nights a week you may be able to find something else that will allow you to work this out. A little suffering now can really pay off in the long run. Good luck.

devunn

I'm going to try my best to make it work but I just dont think it will. I can't get unemployment if I quit my job and thats what I'm going to have to do. I don't understand how they're going to schedule me for classes at 4pm twice a week and then not start actual work for 6 months. I'm not complaining, I'm greatful for the opportunity, I just don't understand how they expect people to support themselves during this time. I've got a wife and I can't just wing it for 6 months.

NolaTigaBait

I understand your situation. But, like boneshaker said, it's a career. If you pass this opportunity up, you'll be kicking yourself in a few years and by that time it may be too late to change careers.

drizt27

I currently work for a licensed electrician and i have known him a long time. he says he is happy for me and completely understands...and will let me leave early on the days i need to go to school and keep working too. so i am lucky that way

sopranocaponyc

Not for nothing dude, But if your serious about local 3 u will do the school and try to make due, there are plenty of people that are still waiting for their turn if u can't do it let them know so they can go to the next person on the list. If you chose not to do it. I guarantee u will kick your self in the ass for not doing it years from now. I know I am for not sticking with it back in 03. Good luck with what ever you do.

alloutmotor

congrats i guess we are in the same boat. i think i was accepted into the union because i went through all the processes that you did. i have class monday and tuesday as well so maybe we can get to know each other. i also recieved another letter stating i should show up next week for my osha?? class as well as bring a klein tool kit and work clothes so i am guessing i start work next week? i am very unsure of what i got my self into but things are moving very fast and getting costly for me so i hope i am doing the right thing.

SpLiTthoughtz

I've also been accepted to local 3 and have classes Wednesdays and Thursdays. The whole process had me clueless too until now that i at least know whats going on with school. My question is, i have absolutely no tools (fresh outta highschool with no field experience) how much am i going to be spending on tools? I'm not working yet so i want to know in order to come up with the money.

devunn

I haven't received a letter saying I should show up for any classes besides my electrical theory class and empire state college class. I did give the apprentice department a call and they said my physical hadn't cleared yet and that was why I haven't received anything. Apparently the doctor forgot to write down my hearing results. So I went in and took care of that. They told me the next group will be starting work at the end of sept or early october. You have to bring a klein tool kit? I didn't know you had to supply your own tools. Now I'm wondering exactly how much that'll cost. It'd be really nice if we were given a lot of this information from the beginning instead of being told we need to do this this this like a week prior.

sopranocaponyc

is this something New going to school on back to back days, when i was in it it was either mon/wed or tues/ thur. as far as how much tools expect to pay close to $500. If your starting work in oct, then lucky you, normally its a few months after u start school. Theres still so many Guys out of work now. So you never know!

alloutmotor

yeah that's the only thing i don't like about this program so far.. the lady who u call at the board for apprentice always has an attitude... and everything they do is last minute which requires me to spend money i don't have... i guess if i do start this week i wont be seeing my first check till October and i wont be seeing that because i will be repaying the people i borrowed the money from to get started ... either way i am saving the receipts for everything i spent to get started on this job and i will try to write them of on my taxes next year

oo btw the klein tool kit is 250 dollars... the one required to start the program

also today being my first day electrical theory class they claimed that you get raises every 6 months based on your performance in class and on the job, but online it seem as if it were yearly raises. I am still confused about a lot of whats going on. I guess its because i don't know any one in the union

sopranocaponyc

You get a raise very time u start a new year(work wise) so if u start school as 1st year in sept, but work in oct, you would get a raise in oct. but at the same time if you don't pass your elec classes you won't get your raise!

devunn

hey sopranocaponyc,

you seem to actually have an idea of how all this **** works so can you answer a few questions? once I start working am I going to have steady work for the next 5 years or is that all in the air? am i actually guranteed 35 hrs a week like i was told or is that bull****? do i get benefits while i am an apprentice? what is it gonna be like on a day to day basis? anything i should be doing to prepare? basically man, can you just tell me anything you think would be useful?

traveler

Funny thing is, as a first year cubbie....you will be spending most of your time going to get snacks for the Bro's and doing gopher work. You may have tools, but don't plan on doing any REAL electrical work for a LONG time.

Local 3......you gotta earn the right to do electrical work.

good luck.

~joe