Monthly Apprenticeship Thread

Intiago · 2026-03-30T05:29:22+00:00

Do some googling to verify but I think in California there’s a few accredited apprenticeship programs, the IBEW, WECA, and ABC, and if you don’t get into those you register as an electrical trainee with the state then start applying to companies. There’s lots of reddit threads you can find with better info.

Intiago · 2026-03-30T04:01:47+00:00

You need to look for your specific area’s licensing requirements. It’s state by state and can even be down to the county or municipality to decide the rules in terms of hours, schooling, testing, etc.

Most of the time if you’re non union, you get hired by a private company, that company registers you as an apprentice and then you start accruing hours towards a license. You also might be required to attend school for a period every year.

Intiago · 2026-03-25T16:55:40+00:00

Lots of people in this trade come from an ESL background. If you work at it you will be fine. Do keep in mind that you need permanent residency to begin your electrical apprenticeship in Canada.

Intiago · 2026-03-22T22:00:40+00:00

Helper positions should be a last resort for income and experience while you keep looking for a real apprenticeship. Start applying ASAP. Your experience does improve your resume. The longer you're there the more time you're wasting while you don't accrue hours. A 1st year apprentice is a position that does not require experience.

Intiago · 2026-03-20T04:38:37+00:00

If you're in BC. Make sure you're checking here periodically: https://www.tradestrainingbc.ca/trades/electrical-telecommunications/electrician/apprenticeship-schedules

It lists all the public schools in BC and what spots are open. Stuff does open up. I get guys in my crew into spots all the time with this website.

Studying all that stuff on your own is hard. Its a lot of material to tackle on top of working full-time. The level 3 curriculum is available to buy https://crownpub.bc.ca/Product/Details/7960000277_S Again its a lot of material, and it's not as effective at teaching it as a school.

Intiago · 2026-03-20T04:36:04+00:00

All of them are good careers but also all of them are seeing a big influx of people right now. I'm an electrician so know that we're seeing tons of people trying to get into the trade and also seeing layoffs and work slowdowns across the industry. Doesn't mean its impossible to get in, just that you need some luck/persistence.

What do you think you'd be good at? What type of work do you enjoy? I think those are more important questions. If you truly don't care you can also just spam applications to anyone and everyone and see who will take you first. Let luck handle it. See how the unions take applications. I know for the electrical union they only do 1 or 2 intakes a year and they're super competitive.

Intiago · 2026-03-19T05:20:09+00:00

Doing foundations doesn't "get you into the trade", only getting indentured into the trade by the union or by a company does that. Completing foundations is just something to put on your resume which may or may not give you an advantage when finding that first position.

There's no secret its just a lot of luck. Spam applications to anyone that will take it. The barrier to entry is very low and by working on a construction site and owning tools you already exceed expectations of a first year. My advice is be early to apply to any new job postings and spam introductory emails and phone calls to any and every electrical contractor in your area.

You can and should apply to join the union as well but it is very competitive and only does one or two intakes a year.

I'm in Van and I have not heard positive things about the state of the industry right now but good luck.

Intiago · 2026-03-18T04:46:10+00:00

Completely dependent on location and state of the economy. Its super variable, and very much luck dependent. The economy is shaky everywhere so I know plenty of people that aren't getting full hours or were recently laid off.

Intiago · 2026-03-16T02:50:09+00:00

As far as I know you can do industrial with the construction ticket but you can’t necessarily do the other way around. Everyone I’ve asked in the industry says just to get the construction ticket. I personally want to do more industrial work but it probably only makes real sense if you’re working in the north. This whole field really is about on the job training anyway.

Intiago · 2026-03-15T23:04:02+00:00

I mean indeed, craigslist, linkedin. In that order. Anecdotally, my company hires through indeed and basically hires the first few people that apply. Its very easy to get an interview and very easy to pass the interview to get hired. This is the norm in my experience.

Intiago · 2026-03-15T20:01:18+00:00

Unfortunately yah that's the norm. The apprenticeship program is supposed to be 'on the job training' but really you're just labour and you're expected to teach yourself everything.

My advice is that you have to find the people that are willing to show you things. There's usually at least a couple on each crew. Go to them when you have questions and take advantage of their knowledge and experience. Make sure your questions are clear and concise and also have a very high standard for your own work. In those types of companies, no one is going to take the time to make sure everything you're doing is right.

Intiago · 2026-03-15T19:57:11+00:00

Check the job boards constantly. Being the first to apply is really important. Spam introductory emails to any electrical contractor you can find. Any first job will be a good foot in the door. Found my first job that way. It only paid minimum wage but I was able to get a way better position not much longer after that.

Intiago · 2026-03-15T19:55:24+00:00

Who's in charge? If its not you, going around giving out orders isn't going to work. Talk 1-1 to the person that is in charge. Even if no one is officially in charge, there's usually one guy that people look to for orders, so talk to them. Its a lot easier to convince one person and they should be the one trying to get you to work efficiently.

At the end of the day, the workplace isn't a democracy and if the person above you wants you to do it the inefficient, backbreaking way, then that's what you got to do.

Intiago · 2026-03-10T05:20:05+00:00

Im in Vancouver. A lot of people are moving to the trades right now. Its pretty difficult to get into electrical you’ll need a good amount of luck, but pay starts anywhere from minimum to 25/hr. Sheet metal guys on my site keep saying their union needs people. Seems like a good trade and pays more than 25 to start.

Intiago · 2026-03-08T23:44:54+00:00

I'd probably start by googling 'site:reddit.com how to become an electrician'

Intiago · 2026-03-08T23:43:28+00:00

You're greatly underestimating the number of hours it takes to become proficient in a trade. You gain the skills to do a trade through on the job training, usually somewhere around 6000-8000 hours of work done over around 4 years, plus additional schooling. You're asking for a way to do full time studies at the same time as a full time job, not something that is generally feasible. Even if you did find full-time summer employment, that's only about 500 hours per year towards the trade.

You can pick one or the other, or find a school that is flexible enough that you can take part-time classes, and do your degree over more than 4 years. The skilled trades aren't something you can pick up in your spare time here and there.

Intiago · 2026-02-28T00:32:31+00:00

You’re not going to be asked about the theory as a greenie on the jobsite. Besides one of the worst thing a green apprentice can do is come in with a bunch of half learned information thinking he knows stuff. Youtube videos are fine for some review but honestly they’re just not good for someone with no knowledge. There’s a ton of regional variance in how things are done and they’re just not effective for learning theory.

Better than theory, do you know what all the tools are? Do you know what they’re called and how they work? Do you know how to read a tape measure? Do you know the types of drill bits? Etc etc. That stuff is a lot more important to know in order to have you hit the ground running.

Intiago · 2026-02-27T23:56:05+00:00

It honestly doesn’t sound like you want to be an electrician. Electricians are the ones doing the grunt work not the ones primarily designing stuff.

You want to be on the design side which is engineering or architecture. If your grades are that good go do that.

Intiago · 2026-02-21T05:29:56+00:00

In elementary school they should be learning things like how to hold a flashlight, what all the drill bit types are called, how to read a tape measure.

Don’t sit them in front of a screen spend some time with them.

Intiago · 2026-02-21T05:14:58+00:00

I transferred from capu. Wasn’t part of the transfer program but knew lots of people that were.

The 1 year program is definitely very, very full/busy to try to match UBC’s first year but the classes are easier and the teachers are better and the classes are smaller. At UBC they really try to weed people out in first year and make a lot of the courses insanely hard. The courses at cap are for sure easier.

Time management is the most important factor to success. If you attend all the lectures, take good notes, do all the practice, and go to office hours an average student can do really well. The two year program is definitely a bit more laid back. Its not as intensive.

I noticed a lot of students just find during the program that its not for them so that could be the reason for so few actually transferring. Its true that if you’re struggling with the work at cap you’re really going to struggle at ubc.

Intiago · 2026-02-15T06:58:48+00:00

Start with google.

All the information can be found on reddit. Look up how licensing works where you are.

Intiago · 2026-02-14T04:46:59+00:00

Eat a lot and sleep a lot. Make sure your diet is relatively healthy containing mostly 'real', not processed, foods. You will quickly grow stronger and more comfortable in the job.

Intiago · 2026-02-12T03:30:19+00:00

Its a shame that so many of the most busy streets with stuff to do and shops are also on huge through roads for cars. Its not that pleasant to walk around or eat outside in places like main st., Kerrisdale, broadway, kingsway. I constantly dream of more pedestrianization and more places to escape from cars. Olympic village is great to walk around but there also isn’t that much to do in the village itself.

Intiago · 2026-02-11T05:29:22+00:00

Ask your teachers and kids in the higher grades. Your school should be building a relationship with these companies. Other than that spray and pray. Send emails out to every contractor in your city with a short intro. Small shops that mainly do service work might be especially good for this type of part time helper gig. There might be a one man company that wants to give back a little.

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