Elmhust E

Hello everyone,

My name is Eric, and I live just outside the city limits of Chicago. I have been interested in the union trades - particularly electrician- for quite some time. I am going to be taking the test for apprenticeship for local 134 in October. While I have very little practical experience working in the electrical field, I have a genuine passion for learning, which, I do believe, will help expedite the learning curve in this field (E.G. - I am a big nerd and will read manuals and textbooks on my personal time).

From what I've been told, being an electrician requires just as much intellectual energy as it does physical energy; the idea of having to solve problems rather than just work off rote memorization (amongst other things) is what draws me to this trade particularly.

My background is primarily in computer hardware. I've been a service tech/PC tech for the last 3 years. Do you believe that my previous job experience will have any positive carry-over in the electrical field?

I've been studying a few of my old college Algera textbooks, along with a book on spatial patterns and mechanical reasoning for the past few weeks. Can anyone recommend any further suggestions to help maximize my score on the up coming test? Is there any small projects that I could do at my home that would aid in leaning some of the raw components of the electrical trade?

Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Sorry for the long-winded post.

Take care,

Eric

headrec

Welcome to the forum! Electrician are generally known to be technical out of all the trades but it doesn't mean you won't be busting your ass at times. Best thing to study for is basic algebra and reading comprehension. It isn't too hard of a test to pass IMO as long as you are good with basic math and you can read.

europamo

I tell you, i have no background as an electrician, but got got accepted anyways. A few of the AJ's told me that as long as you are willing to learn and be able to bust your ass doing the dirty work sometimes that I will be fine.

I pulled off plastic on fixtures all day and so did some of the AJ's. So everyone gets the "petty work". some more then others. I havent started day school yet, but I am looking forward to it.

good luck

randomkiller

Welcome to the forum first off. Being computer savey will help out down the road I'm sure. For now use the search feature onsite and read some of the other threads on getting started and testing.

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JohnJ0906

Welcome to the forum, and hopefully the trade!

I also read books on my off-time, and it did help. Years later, I spend time on electrical forums - also a great learning experience.

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Pipebender134

Eric,
the work is hard & dirty, but very very rewarding. your either freezing your behind off or sweating it off. watch your back all it takes is one false move and your messing up discs. school will teach you the basics, if your lucky you will get paired up with a JW who will be willing to teach you more then you can learn in school. above all DO NOT SHOW UP WITH AN ATTITUDE!!!! you will regret it. hope your not afraid of heights either.

Good Luck
Jim

Pipebender134

Eric,
the work is hard & dirty, but very very rewarding. your either freezing your behind off or sweating it off. watch your back all it takes is one false move and your messing up discs. school will teach you the basics, if your lucky you will get paired up with a JW who will be willing to teach you more then you can learn in school. above all DO NOT SHOW UP WITH AN ATTITUDE!!!! you will regret it. hope your not afraid of heights either.

Good Luck
Jim

nolabama

welcome to the forum - good luck

europamo

funny you should mention that. another apprentice blabbed that he wanted more complicated work and to do wiring and that he already was a trainee . I said nothing but that I would do what they ask me and hoped to learn as well. Im helping with fixtures, the other guy has been picking up trash.

Elmhust E

Thanks fellas for the welcoming and suggestions. I have already started browsing the forums and researching the answers to some of my questions. Right now, I have to actually get into a union and get some work under my belt before I can ask any work related questions.

It is nice to see a few users from the Chicagoland area, local 134, in particular. As I mentioned before, I'll be taking the apprentice exam for said local in October.

For the fellas in local 134: do you have any idea how many apprentices will be accepted from the batch that's testing in October. I hear there is going to be 3,000+ applicants this time around and scoring in the top 10% is a sure-fire way to get accepted into the union. Is that fact or fiction, or does the truth lie somewhere in between?

Thanks again,

Eric

Idaho Abe

I hope you find what you need.

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Elmhust E

Hey fellas, hope everyone enjoyed the summer, as it looks to be about over. However, with the conclusion of the summer comes two things: 1) playoff baseball (the Cubs open tomorrow against the Dodgers!) and 2) many of the local unions start - or have stated - taking applications for next years batch of potential apprentices.

Hoping to be one of the lucky few that get their name called by one of my area's locals, I've thrown my name in a few union hats already this fall. Today, I went to the local I hope to join more than any other: IBEW local 134. After filling out a preliminary application, I was given a test date (Oct.20th) and a list of things that need to be on file at said local by Oct.23. I also received a study guide and few handshakes from a few of the staff members working the registration. After conversating a bit with one person in particular, it appears that ~2,000 people will be testing over the next few weeks. I must say, although I have been studying, those #'s are a bit intimidating. Knowing that out of the 2K that are testing, only 200-300 people will be invited into the program has kept me studying daily!

I wanted to give a shout-out to ChicagoGuy. He took time out of his schedule to actually talk to me personally and answer all my questions regarding local 134. Thanks again, CG. Also, I wanted to mention that I have applied to a few other locals as well; the pipe fitters, the heating and frost insulators and IBEW local 701 (all 3 of their programs); I am also going to be applying to the plumbers and iron workers in the next month or so.

Having learned how the process at 134 works, hopefully the aforementioned locals will only be an afterthought. IBEW 134 is relatively quick in dispensing information regarding an individual's rank and status. So, to make a long story short, I'll let you know when I know. *wink,wink, nudge,nudge*

I looking forward to having you guys as a source of knowledge that I can lean on in the future. I also thank everybody for sharing their time and answering my questions.

Thanks again,

Eric

Frasbee

After 3 months experience, one of the electricians on one of the project sites had put me in charge of 2 other helpers.

That was jarring.

Elmhust E

My overall impressions: not too bad.

The test was broken up into 5 sections: Numerical computation (30?'s), numerical sequence (25?'s), paper folding (20?'s), reading comprehension (84?'s) and mechanical reasoning (45?'s). The tests were administered in the order mentioned above with various time allotments for each test. The first 4 tests all came from one booklet. After completion of the 4 reading portion of the test, a few of the proctors picked up the booklets and subsequently handed out a thinner booklet, containing the mechanical reasoning portion of the test.

Before testing today, I was told that the reading portion of the test was perhaps the most difficult; mainly due to the number of questions and the time allowed to complete them (84Q in 15 min) I'd have to say my observations today would lead me to believe otherwise. It seemed that the individuals in the area I was seated, and those that I spoke with after the test, all stated the math and paper folding to be the most challenging of the tests. I know that's a small sample size, but I digress...

It seemed to me, that many of the students were not able to complete the math portion of the test in time, or, if they did, they had to scurry at the 2 minute warning to finish the section. The paper folding was likely new material for many of the applicants, and therefore many people were likely perplexed by what they saw on paper.

I would have to say that the overall difficulty of this test, for me at least, was probably a 5/10. The mechanical reasoning portion was probably the most difficult for me.

From what I understand - of course the #'s can change quickly - IBEW 134 is looking to take ~400 new persons into the program; roughly 100 every quarter starting this January. In order to get the aforementioned # of apprentices, the IBEW usually has to go through 500-600 individuals. For a reference, last year, 134 took in 380 new apprentices. They had to pull the top 560 applicants in order to fill that number. I was told that the difference in the two numbers is the result of a host of factors; not being able to pass a drug test (cocaine/crack, not marijuana - to my surprise - is the drug that gets flagged the most in the tests performed by 134.), change of heart/mind, family obligations, the inability to complete the unpaid 11-week training program, and a host of other factors all played a part in the non-participation of those initially chosen to be part of the program.

By no later than 01 DEC 08, all students will have recieved their rank. Rankings are determined by a host of factors, not excluding the test, all of which are part of the application process.

I will keep you guys updated on the status of my application. If all goes well*crosses fingers*, perhaps I'll have the privilege of working with some of you very soon.

Take care,

-E-

emayer32

wow sounds tough. Is there any study guide for the test i plan on taking it hear in boston a couple weeks

Elmhust E

Emayer32,

It really wasn't all that difficult. There is a study guide floating around somewhere on this board. Using the search function, you should be able to find it with ease. The guide is helpful, as the material covered in the PDF is pretty much what you see on the test. Being able to look at the paper folding section alone makes the time investment worthwhile, imo.

Also, the apprentice tests differ depending on the local. I am testing for another local in a few weeks, and their test is devoid of paper folding and mechanical reasoning.

Don't sweat it. You will seriously psych yourself out.

-E-

emayer32

ill see what i can find . good luck and thanks for the reply

ccdwiu

I just got my letter today from 134, I was ranked 123. Anybody else get their letter?

Elmhust E

First off, congrats on your score . I also received my letter: Rank = 270. That 123 score could land you in a January class, although I hear they are probably going to start off the new year pulling from the top 50. None-the-less, you nailed down a solid score. Start saving for school.

If recent year trends continue, I figure to be called around April. Overall, I'm happy with my score and look forward to hearing from the local should they call.

Anyone else?

E

mjd56

I had 313 hope its a good enough rank