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From Long Island - How to become an electrician ASAP

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Discussion starter · #41 ·
Absolutely, they told me they have not opened it yet but I can mail them a letter with my contact info and they’ll send an application to me or “contact me” once they open it up - at which point I asked if there’s any indication as for when they’re opening then program and I was about 1.5-2yrs. I also went down to local 3 in flushing to drop off my letter. That’s when I created this post basically saying how can I get into this trade ASAP just to get the ball rolling.
 
#42 ·
stephend587 said:
Absolutely, they told me they have not opened it yet but I can mail them a letter with my contact info and they’ll send an application to me or “contact me” once they open it up - at which point I asked if there’s any indication as for when they’re opening then program and I was about 1.5-2yrs. I also went down to local 3 in flushing to drop off my letter. That’s when I created this post basically saying how can I get into this trade ASAP just to get the ball rolling.
Click to expand...
you sent the letter? That’s your first step.
 
#45 · (Edited)
Ok search this question in the search bar at the top of this page, it has been answered many times.
Many people responded on other posts that have not on this post.

Basics:
Union is your best bet flat out, but takes time to get in apply asap. @LGLS
Then go door to door to contractors and sell yourself, not all dressed up but in clean work cloths and boots. Tell them you will do anything to start learning the trade.
Next after 100 doors go to electrical supply houses and ask for work. This will get you contacts and learn the parts.

I would wait for the school part, just study. If you go to school look real good at there job placement record.
Also keep track of your own time and what you did while working and get details about who can sign for your hours worked.
 
#46 ·
just the cowboy said:
...keep track of your own time and what you did while working and get details about who can sign for your hours worked.
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Definitely keep track of your own time. I had many many years of unsupervised electrical experience, but I knew two close Electrical Engineers who were Licensed & PEs and knew what I had been doing all those years. Each of them endorsed half of my required experience (3 years out of 10 or 15!) and I was finally allowed to apply for my EC License at 50 years old! BTW, I think my EC License got me my ME/(almost an EE) Design Engineering job that is coming up on 17 years now!
 
#47 ·
So what I've learned of late is that the ratio to licensed to apprentice may be an impediment to hiring. Now, as we look at a downturn in the economy, this may impede younger people from getting in. We are looking at a two year, residential journeyman's license to help get people out there, like Maine. We need to look at alternative ways to either work with the ratio's of licensed to apprentice's or have some discussion about this. There is no question that the trade population is aging. We need to encourage young people to come into the trades
 
#48 ·
There are a lot of ways to be successful. This may vary from what part of the country you are in. I'm non union. I work for myself. I don't tell anyone that's the only way to go. There are many paths and it usually involves hard work and dedication. People and connections help. These relationships are established over time.
 
Discussion starter · #49 ·
CaptainPalladino said:
you sent the letter? That’s your first step.
Click to expand...
I sure did, when I went in person I hand wrote the letter and dropped it off right there in the designated box they had setup. That was about 2Weeks ago. I’m curious if it pays to write another…. Or if that even will matter . But it sounds like it’s a waiting game after I send the letter.
 
#50 ·
kb1jb1 said:
There is a school in Copaigue that I took classes at that was pretty good. I do not think it is as expensive.
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GladMech said:
I have to point out since I don't think anyone has stated it explicitly.
There are three distinct paths to be come a "real" electrician. (Regardless of what Mac said.
1. Get hired to do it and just do it, perhaps in an industrial setting where there are no licensing requirements. Look up the NEC definition of "qualified person", it has nothing to do with any license or certification - union or state.
2. The union path described in great detail by most everyone here.
3. State Electrical Contractors License. Every state requirements are different, but clearly published. Be aware that path 1 leads to path 3 as long as you are working under a licensed person (look up the specific NY requirements) who can certify your experience.
I built two permitted houses and a LOT of heavy industrial machinery long before I managed to get enough experience certified to even apply for a license.
Godspeed.
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Try coming over here as a fresh recruit and see if you can get a license without taking those school hours from an Approved school, of which local 1186 or ABC , period. Dat's da rules Bra. How To Become an Electrician in Hawaii: License Requirements and Trade Schools | General Contractor License Guide
 
#51 ·
Hey it double quoted me...... The first part I was going to ask about what state that town is in cause I never heard of that place before. Or more precisely in macmike talk I was going to Ask

What planet is that on?
 
#53 ·
stephend587 said:
Hello All, My name is Stephen (31 years old) and I’m extremely excited to get into this field. I have a million and 3 questions and it seems all my friends went the white collar route, so I am left with just walking up to people in the industry and trying to use the 10yrs wasted with my life in sales to ask certain questions without freaking them out, or coming off as griping.
I will be attending Apex Tech School for electrical and advanced electrical in 3mo, which onto itself has me wondering if this is the right decision, since some people say “why pay when you can learn for free in an apprenticeship”. My only concern with that is getting into an apprenticeship at local 3 or local 25 isn’t that easy and the applications aren’t handed out like jelly beans, and I want to get this ball rolling and get into this career like yesterday. (I understand all good things take time).
With that said, I never felt more passionate to enter a career in my life, and I will do whatever it takes regardless. I’ve already been studying electrical theory and DIY electrical books on my free time so I can absorb the NEC code and everything that goes with it before I even enter the field legitimately.
But the real reason why I’m here typing this, is because I’d like to gain some sort of direction or “options” if you will, since I know I want to be an electrician. It seems like unless you get into local 3 or 25’s apprenticeship programs, or find a non-Union apprenticeship (which I need some guidance on) to then basically work for free or hardly get paid when you go non-union (I could be dead wrong about that). But it seems like it’s the only way you can become an electrician since all roads lead to an apprenticeship regardless of schooling in NY.
By me going to trade school I’m hoping it will help with pay grade when I enter an apprenticeship, but I haven’t gotten a definitive answer on that either. Again, I’m very new to how things work in this field and I’d like to get advice from electricians from all levels to help share some knowledge on what it took to get them into the field and what other options are out there to help someone like myself to get involved ASAP.
Click to expand...
20 yrs in the trade on Long Island and hold most of the Licenses here. Hiring/Electrical Foreman as well for a well know Industrial Electrical Contractor. You sound enthusiastic. If theres anyway to DM me we can set up an interview and give you advice and options.
 
#54 ·
stephend587 said:
Thank you, I appreciate the advice - after going down to union halls in my area (which was the first thing I did). I brushed my hair and prepared myself to work my magic, but as it turns out they only allow you to apply for the apprenticeship programs when it’s “open” but they never can tell you exactly when that’ll be as local 3 opens its program every 3-5 years (so they said), and that’s speaking with a security guard in the lobby of the building as well as the employees by phone in the union hall. When you’re in person at local 3, they don’t let you past that point to speak with anyone “upstairs” for me to pitch myself. Security at a front desk is pretty much the gate keeper at local 3. Unless you’re actually in the union. I did call local 3 IBEW and they told me the same thing - which is write a letter and we’ll put you on a list at which point when we open the apprenticeship, we’ll reach out to you.(which could be 1.5-2yrs from now).
I don’t want this to sound like I’m b*tching, I just want to make sure I’m on the right track here.
It looks like local 25 which is another Union hall
Opens its apprenticeship program to apply come April 2023. Im hitting the books hard for the aptitude test since that’s really all the matters as far as getting into the apprenticeship.

But I’d like to know my options since my heart is set on becoming an electrician and I will find a way.
If there’s anything else I can do, please feel free to let me know. I will attempt again to go to these union halls and pick their brains as well as sell myself for this position. I haven’t explored the non-union route as I’m trying to gather how things work in this field

I appreciate you all for keeping me informed on what it takes.
Click to expand...
You will have to at least apply to be an electrician helper for a company that is or will be sending you through an apprenticeship program. That's one way to sale yourself.
Next perhaps, in six months to a year's time that company sees that you are worthy to
be sent through an apprenticeship program.
Applying to be a helper first of, will give you the experience you need when you are assigned to a journeyman or a 10 yr and above experienced electrician.
I started doing it when I was sixteen years old and in two years after graduating from high school then enlisting into the Army, now a retired Sergeant Major at the time for eight engineering companies in the Army.
However I trained and certified to operate construction machineries, to plumbing, carpentry all the way up the trades.
Nevertheless, try it that way. You won't regret it. I mean applying to be at least a helper in electrical.

Good-Luck and God Bless.
 
#55 ·
Omar G. said:
20 yrs in the trade on Long Island and hold most of the Licenses here. Hiring/Electrical Foreman as well for a well know Industrial Electrical Contractor. You sound enthusiastic. If theres anyway to DM me we can set up an interview and give you advice and options.
Click to expand...
Nice work in the Avatar Omar. Stuff only electricians can love.
 
#56 ·
stephend587 said:
Hello All, My name is Stephen (31 years old) and I’m extremely excited to get into this field. I have a million and 3 questions and it seems all my friends went the white collar route, so I am left with just walking up to people in the industry and trying to use the 10yrs wasted with my life in sales to ask certain questions without freaking them out, or coming off as griping.
I will be attending Apex Tech School for electrical and advanced electrical in 3mo, which onto itself has me wondering if this is the right decision, since some people say “why pay when you can learn for free in an apprenticeship”. My only concern with that is getting into an apprenticeship at local 3 or local 25 isn’t that easy and the applications aren’t handed out like jelly beans, and I want to get this ball rolling and get into this career like yesterday. (I understand all good things take time).
With that said, I never felt more passionate to enter a career in my life, and I will do whatever it takes regardless. I’ve already been studying electrical theory and DIY electrical books on my free time so I can absorb the NEC code and everything that goes with it before I even enter the field legitimately.
But the real reason why I’m here typing this, is because I’d like to gain some sort of direction or “options” if you will, since I know I want to be an electrician. It seems like unless you get into local 3 or 25’s apprenticeship programs, or find a non-Union apprenticeship (which I need some guidance on) to then basically work for free or hardly get paid when you go non-union (I could be dead wrong about that). But it seems like it’s the only way you can become an electrician since all roads lead to an apprenticeship regardless of schooling in NY.
By me going to trade school I’m hoping it will help with pay grade when I enter an apprenticeship, but I haven’t gotten a definitive answer on that either. Again, I’m very new to how things work in this field and I’d like to get advice from electricians from all levels to help share some knowledge on what it took to get them into the field and what other options are out there to help someone like myself to get involved ASAP.
Click to expand...
When I run non union jobs I make 3K a week, if you consider that hardly anything, don’t even get into the industry
 
Discussion starter · #59 ·
Breakfasteatre said:
did you get in yet?
Click to expand...
Into a union, no, in NY it is a process but come April I’ll be able to “request an application” to apprentice for a local by me. otherwise, still a waiting process - I am currently going to trade School for electrical and love it- I excel in all my shop and theory classes. I did notice I can work for small companies easily, but I’d take a substantial pay reduction with hardly any job security - I know I’ll give my employer 100% of my attention I just want to receive the same on my end. Married At 32 I’m too old to Fck around with bad companies.
 
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