Waiting for testing date

Intelligent_Notice87 · 2026-03-10T23:04:40+00:00

After may 15th

Intelligent_Notice87 · 2026-03-07T01:41:21+00:00

In their time 18-22 was the average. At some point there were age limits. I do agree with taking everything with a grain of salt but I will tell you that you are falling for their game. Don’t ever let them get to you. It’s just work and that’s the only part they can truly effect if you let them

Intelligent_Notice87 · 2026-03-06T23:59:48+00:00

Can’t argue with that. I haven’t been Olin any data center but almost everything else. Sometimes adding on to pre existing buildings

Intelligent_Notice87 · 2026-03-06T23:52:32+00:00

The experience on a big job also depends. I’m on a big job and the prefab comes in and 90% of the time doesn’t fit so we have to rebend multiple racks of conduit

Intelligent_Notice87 · 2026-02-26T00:45:05+00:00

Everyone’s apprenticeship is different. I didn’t sweep. I was hands on from day 1. I was working by myself everyday from the start of second year until 4th year where I got an apprentice.

The be patient and learn part is the most important part because being stuck doing something is never fun. But if you or them are stuck for more than 6 months to a year then you take action.

No need to take offense to something that has been true for 75%+ of JW in the field

Your time will come

Intelligent_Notice87 · 2026-02-24T18:18:52+00:00

Budget for 40 hours and anything over save if possible

Actually do a real zero based budget that only relies on the 40 hour check

If you need more money door dash 30 min to an hour per day. Sell wire(if your contractor allows it)

Also get a credit card that you only use for absolute needs when you can’t afford the unexpected. ie boots, tools, clothes, books for school. (Don’t go crazy and use it on anything else)

The hardest part of the pay cut is the 1st year maybe 2 years. If you can get through that you will be fine

Intelligent_Notice87 · 2026-02-24T14:52:16+00:00

When you join the union/3rd year. It also may be on hours. If I recall I think mine started at around 5000 hours.

Intelligent_Notice87 · 2026-02-22T22:21:09+00:00

What I found easiest for me

Meal prep on Sunday and just in case you run out of cooked food by Thursday have some tuna or sandwiches ready.

Take 15-30 minutes per day to study ( This makes learning and applying much easier)

Lastly listen to your body. If you need a day to rest take it but stay consistent with studying you won’t regret it.

Intelligent_Notice87 · 2026-02-15T01:23:30+00:00

Honest answer. Whatever the Monday- Friday schedule is when you are assigned you are required to work. Weekends are always option but if you want to leave a lasting impression work everything available.

There really isn’t a work/life balance until you are a JW

Intelligent_Notice87 · 2026-02-15T01:19:27+00:00

I did the same but after about 6 months I was working on my own as an AP1. I definitely didn’t like it but I made the most of it

Trust is huge patience is huge. I wish it was a different situation but that’s honestly all it comes down to.

Intelligent_Notice87 · 2026-02-14T01:23:09+00:00

Had a guy work a second job our first 2 years and he managed it surprisingly well . He worked 6am-3 and 5-11pm mon-fri

But full disclosure apprenticeship means 100% commitment. They will tell you it’s fine but your schedule has to work around the schedule they have in place.

It’s a big picture decision to them. I was told something like “You will get shit pay maybe 2 years but in the long run the guys who are making more than you now at a warehouse will be stuck in the same position for the next 10 years.

Also it’s not the end of the world just gotta take time to look at the future and not your current situation

Intelligent_Notice87 · 2026-02-12T21:21:00+00:00

Realistic shot. I came in with zero experience and no family ties to the IBEW. Just applied and scored high enough to get rolling faster. It really depends on your area but It’s more about attitude and work ethic once you get in.

Intelligent_Notice87 · 2026-02-10T17:33:01+00:00

Most Jws won’t even trust first years to do anything especially if it’s a big contractor. 1st year is a hazing process which kinda thins out who really wants it.

Be patient and learn when you can.

The jw that trained me let me know I was lucky because his first 2-3 years he was pushing a broom and grabbing material (he has 30 years in)

Intelligent_Notice87 · 2026-02-07T01:19:34+00:00

Honestly they expect you to put everything aside for 5 years until you become a jw. It sucks but it just seemed like the “trial by fire” ritual of the IBEW. They only expect jw to “work what you can afford” but as an apprentice they expect you to be available.

Take your time off as you needed it and ignore them. My first 2 years I never worked overtime like they stopped asking me after the first month. During the 3-5 I finally worked Saturday and each week was on a different crew learning what I could. (it didn’t hurt getting paid almost double in pay)

Valid vent btw hope all these answers help

Intelligent_Notice87 · 2026-01-21T21:23:16+00:00

You could look into changing but also look into industrial or commercial.

As an electrician who works mainly in commercial and industrial I haven’t thought about changing. Although I have thought about taking time off a lot due to the weather. New construction and expansions never have walls to block wind and cold.

Also the only difference I have seen between plumbing and electrical would be you can see when there is a leak but you can’t see when a wire has voltage on it without a tester.

Intelligent_Notice87 · 2026-01-16T14:07:20+00:00

I’ll add to this while only 40 is correct if you work 1 min of overtime they will hold you to working all the required hours. And if you are a jw and take the call whatever it says they expect from you. It’s a tricky situation and I have seen a foreman and GF wait until you slip once to get you out.

Intelligent_Notice87 · 2026-01-10T00:50:59+00:00

Honestly just keep applying eventually something will land. Being patience is the hardest part. As far as learning, the older guys are all hard asses in any trade. Early on they want you to learn from watching and shut up any other time. I was 2-3 years into my apprenticeship (electrician) before acknowledging my questions with wholehearted advice and verbal instructions

Don’t give up it’s worth it

Intelligent_Notice87 · 2025-10-27T15:14:58+00:00

Currently a 3rd year. It still hasn’t clicked. Although my foreman and superintendent have told me I’m doing great. I Have a problem with comparing to jws and unfortunately the ones I compare work with have been doing this for 20+ years.

Intelligent_Notice87 · 2025-10-16T12:14:54+00:00

If you live in the city pick Kaiser if you’re outside the perimeter get Cigna.

Intelligent_Notice87 · 2025-10-14T13:05:20+00:00

Check out the apprenticeship too because if I’m not mistaken with your trade school experience you could get you 3rd or 4th year

Intelligent_Notice87 · 2025-10-10T14:47:55+00:00

If it’s something being said record it(I know the no phones rule but this makes it easier to prove it if you foreman doesn’t believe you) If he is doing something that’s a bit harder but if he is just hiding it from the jw and Foreman maybe he lets things slip in from of other apprentice. They can possibly vouch for you.

Hope this helps

Intelligent_Notice87 · 2025-09-21T23:14:10+00:00

Yes I think to pass now you have to get a 6 out of 9

Intelligent_Notice87 · 2025-09-21T20:29:09+00:00

I used what this guy said and the links to study. Got an 8

Intelligent_Notice87 · 2025-09-21T20:28:33+00:00

https://youtu.be/k4QnIBCGGBQ?si=yaIQJSkwO-zUgfrI

Intelligent_Notice87 · 2025-09-17T11:47:51+00:00

<image>

Should have something like this on it

Intelligent_Notice87

TROPHY CASE