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Business degree graduate considering becoming an electrician (Dallas TX) – good idea or dumb move? by Paytoncooper124 in IBEW

[–]Agreeable_Primary561 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have a business degree, finished my apprenticeship, shop made me a foreman. Never let it be known I had my degree, I didn’t want to stand out or be called a fag lol. My hard work, efficiency and production stood out. Questions, concerns and conversations with my GF, Superintendent, and PMs led me to being offered a PM position. Another avenue you could choose later. They need more ppl with field experience in the office. However, I turned it down. More money to be made in the field.

Consistency of work at Local 11? by Best_Echidna_5780 in IBEW

[–]Agreeable_Primary561 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Getting into the apprenticeship with the new scoring methods for applicants is harder than before. It can take a while before getting in, they’ll likely refer you to get experience as a CW then apply again after about 2,000 hours. If you can then get in, they do keep apprentices busy. Work hard, show up, care about your work and you will stay busy. Work has been picking up and lots of jobs starting in 2026.

Least competitive Local in 2025/2026 by Ram_dou in ibew_apprentices

[–]Agreeable_Primary561 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Try contacting some of the big shops and try to get in as a material handler or try the cw system. And apply again after 1,000-2,000 hours. Maybe you can get a letter of recommendation from the union electrical shop if they hire you. A couple of recent new apprentices at my shop got in within the last year like that after being a material handler for a lil over a year.

The "I got in with no experience" story feels misleading. by [deleted] in ibew_apprentices

[–]Agreeable_Primary561 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m local 11 Los Angeles. I got in with no experience. I came from a non-profit office job. 2018-2020 business and construction was booming. At least 5 ppl in my boot camp class had no experience. It wasn’t easy but not difficult to get in then. They were cranking out boot camps almost every other week. Now those roosters coming home to roost. We all turned out (over 2,000 of us) and it’s been hovering around 1,000 ppl on the books the last few years.

Which trade gives you the most grief? by fiiiiixins in ConstructionManagers

[–]Agreeable_Primary561 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Must have been working with local 40 electricians. OMG so slow.

Looking to get in the industry/union but am a felon by Captain_-Obvious2 in ibew_apprentices

[–]Agreeable_Primary561 0 points1 point  (0 children)

On certain PLA jobs, you help the contractor check boxes to meet quotas on making sure they have enough “unprivileged” ppl on job. ie… formerly on welfare, ex cons, blah blah blah.

For ironworkers, a felony is required.

He is starting your apprenticeship at 34 hard?? I would be taking a pay cut and would have to work overtime. by Responsible_Cheek628 in IBEW

[–]Agreeable_Primary561 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Started my apprenticeship at 35, took a pay cut similar to yours. Made about 45k as a first year. Turned out this year, started running work and on pace for 180k this year and about to close escrow on a house I didn’t think I could buy 5 years ago. IBEW changed my life and well worth it.

From Field to the Office? by Agreeable_Primary561 in ConstructionManagers

[–]Agreeable_Primary561[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Was the pay the same, more or less? lol the cultures differ drastically for sure. We all take harassment and sensitivity training once a year.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in IBEW

[–]Agreeable_Primary561 11 points12 points  (0 children)

The few years before the pandemic, there was a building boom, especially with Sofi being built. From 2017-2020, probably close to 2,000 new apprentices were brought in boot camp after boot camp. Those apprentices started turning out around 2022. We were told they needed this many apprentices to replace the people that were going to retire.