If I want to become an industrial electrician I should not go union?

I think you're mistaken, but if you CAN go union, do it.

They may not want you or even be able to take you.. in which case, take ANYTHING you can.

http://www.electricalapprenticeship.ca/apply/index.html

Construction and maintenance

That sounds more like it.

Pay is pretty good in the union, and you'll probably learn alright... IF you can get in.

http://www.ibew353.org/agreement/353.pdf

Do you know the amount of people the take each year?

Don't know.

http://www.electricalapprenticeship.ca/timeline/index.html

THE APPLICATION PROCESS IS HELD ONLY ONCE A YEAR. PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS A SUPPLY AND DEMAND INDUSTRY AND NOTIFICATION MAY BE SHORT.

Step 2: Those applicants meeting the initial requirements will be required to undergo a computerized mechanical aptitude test. Dates to be given when the application is complete.

Step: 3: The top applicants will be notified by phone/mail for an interview.

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Interesting... So going forward in this field what is the best ticket to obtain or field to get most knowledge in? I always hear controls is the best but if the union is only providing a construction and maintence ticket surely it must be that right?

Samson Rouge said:

Interesting... So going forward in this field what is the best ticket to obtain or field to get most knowledge in? I always hear controls is the best but if the union is only providing a construction and maintence ticket surely it must be that right?

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Careful! That's a real can of worms your opening. The pipe and wire guys are going to get pissed.

A lot of places around here hire their own in house controls electricians, I did it for a year messing with all sorts of low and high voltages relays, plcs, motor controls, servos, rfid readers, sensors, etc. It was fun, but doing it everyday in the environment I was in got taxing. I just switched back to residential and couldn't be happier, though I still design electrical control schematics for a company.

Samson Rouge said:

My local union only does construction and residential. Are all locals like this?

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That depends, are talking about working for an EC or directly for a plant?

I am on the industrial side.

I have never been IBEW, but I have been UAW, USW, Teamsters, ICWUC. Generally you are the union that covers that shop or mill.

Try to pick a place that will be around more than 5 years- thats generally how long it takes to be vested in your pension.

I know a guy who has been very unlucky, and has 18 out of 35 years in the trade with no pension. I am lucky, and only have 4 non-vested years.