baja

I am trying to figure out what is best for me now. So here it goes, I already have an Associates in EE and a Bachelors in Manufacturing. What I am wondering is, if it would be worth it to go into the apprentice for inside journeyman????? I actually had applied about 10 years ago and ended up in school before they got back to me for testing and then for interview, which I decided not to go to the interview since I was already in school. I worked full time most the time more, 2 jobs while I went to school full time. Pretty much ruined my health
I have worked in high-tech field fixing the machines for about 10 years now and I am tired of layoffs and attitude problems from a big well known company. I am also the go to guy for electronics and computers when it comes to friends and family. Not that it doesn’t get annoying more often than not.
I don’t have anyone to fall back on, just have myself. So the $14 starting wage for apprentice is not very appealing right now (barely covers a place to live) Looks like there’s about 1 year or more before I would even start school in the program. Is there any way that they would consider time worked or degrees to start me out further in the program? Or should I just consider a different route?

ralpha494

Go back to where you applied and talk to them. You know more about your situation than we ever could. Construction isn't the place to go to avoid lay-offs. Here in Milwaukee there are several hundred applications and only 15 spots available. Not good odds. You sound smart. You'll figure something out. You have good skills that should be in demand where ever you go. Use the force baja, use the force.

william1978

Why would you want to be a electrician with those degrees? If it was me I'd stay away and go with something else, but this is just my opinion. If it is something you are wanting to do go for it.

william1978

Welcome to the forum.

miller_elex

No, they won't give you advanced standing in the program.

Yes, it is still worth it. The college educated frequently apply and are satisfied. My apprentice had three degrees, two-four year and one-two year, and she is a super hard-worker. She sure is happy, or was happy, until we parted ways that is.

Give it a shot, and in five years, you won't have any regrets.
I would say go non-union until things improve, but they are having more of a tough go at it here than we are, due to their concentration in the residential new construction and TI markets, its just been a one-two punch for them. Hell, I am not working now, as of two weeks ago, but that looks to change again real soon.

Ups and downs my friend, you will be coming to a bi-polar trade without question. Can you sit at home? Can you work overtime? Can you go here tomorrow, and over there the next day? Be a Yes-man, but watch the movie first.

baja

Ralpha494, Thank you for the advice I did go to the orientation where we are supposed to ask the questions but the guy didn’t want to answer much because he wanted to get going to some appointment he had. Also there was a bunch of guys there young mainly trying to see if certain certifications from their car install job would be of any benefit and then some retirement age asking the same question about algebra requirement over and over again. The local 48 only has inside and solar apprentices open right now and the guy said he has 65 people out of work which is the first ever. Not that I bought all this. The limited and other apprentice they would not take applications for as they have a back log of applicants. Then they go on to say there is a 2 week plus a day where we have to show up without pay to prove ourselves and then just basically be treated like a little kid on time watching. Which I am the one that usually is on time and does not call in sick but still it sounds very micro managed.


William1978
I wanted to be an electrician from before I was out of high school, the guys I seen had their own business and they all seemed to be doing very well. I cannot say the degrees have not helped me get better pay or foot in the door; I have worked up and received some pretty decent pay. But I have put up with a lot of troubled individuals trying to act all arrogant and also come up with unrealistic ideas as to why problems with their equipment could be happening and also so called bosses of mine just do not have the spark of intelligent but they get paid 2 to 3 times the amount as the people doing the job. I could go into it but it would be a book. I will say one thing one boss came into town and likes to drink so he invited everyone to dinner 2 of us showed up and he is slurring his words and tells us all the crap about the other guys. Some things I didn’t really care to know. I guess I was hoping this ibew brotherhood would be something to look forward to and also there would be enough work most the time and if not at least I would not be out on my own wondering what else I would have to learn to maybe get a foot in the door at another company. I am having a lot of mixed thoughts about doing this now .


Miller elex
Besides the layoff, why did you and the super hard worker with degrees part ways? And you are non union? I have done it all even flew to other states to work without being paid for fly time. I don’t want to be the b*tch but yes man to a certain degree of confidence in the doing the correct / safe work.
If anyone else has any advice then chime in, I am still open to suggestions.

miller_elex

I am union. Manpower is constantly ebbing and flowing, especially on the small jobs, because they start and stop frequently.
The only time you are going to spend a year with someone is if you end up a steady hand on a really long job. The amount of men on jobs is shaped like the bell curve, with the big surge and shrink in the middle. Anyways, it all depends on the job schedule.

If you want to go the extra mile, take some electrical classes at PCC, they also have some contruction classes at Rock Creek. Methods and materials are good classes. You can go work at the supply house for experience, or be a material handler for a contractor. Quickest way to get your foot in the door, and a good way to see if it is really what you're interested in.

About being the yesman, just say yes to overtime and anything that means being flexible. You absolutely don't have to be the b|tch, we all hate suck-ups, and nothing will ruin your good name faster than being a suckup or a snitch. You will soon learn how small this world is, and if you're known for being a snitch, suckup, turd, or all three, word gets around, people will know you for your reputation without meeting yourself, and it will be hard to repair your reputation. Best advice, don't badmouth anyone, even better, get the Dale Carnegie book 'How to win friends,' and take it to heart. When you finally get to work, buckle down, keep your nose to the grindstone, and don't make any waves, this is the recipe for success. One more thing, try to get on small jobs or smaller shops, that way you get as much install experience as possible. The big jobs and big shops really can ruin an apprentice having them clean, handle materials, or pre-fab too much. It is wrong to ruin apprentices that way, but it happens all the time. Good luck.

baja

Nice, thank you for the advice. It does shed more light on the subject. From what you are saying about the way things happen, it does help me to make a decision. It definitely sounds like this type of apprentice will help out the type of people who need structure and not so much of the self starter in their own natural way but still willing to put in the work to get through the apprentice. I am in no way knocking the people who need this but some people also change through out their lives. At the orientation the speaker made a comment that some people go through the apprenticeship and when they have finished one actually decided to become a real estate agent or some other jobs. So now they require 5 more years of service after the apprentice or you need to pay back $6000 per year for the years spent in the apprentice for the school cost.