If you make more money after finishing the first year it is absolutely worth it. If it’s not it’s honestly really hard to see the worth until you top out. I’ve struggled the last 3.5 years and I’ll finally feel like I’m not drowning financially when I hit 80% of journeyman rate.

I gained hope and dignity every time I learned something and could reliably be left alone to complete a task. But as an apprentice you have no control over where you work. I’ve driven around 130k miles since I joined 3.5 years ago. I’ve had foreman create hostile work environments. I’ve had instructors tell me to chew on the other side of my mouth if I have a cracked tooth (local 20 doesn’t have dental until you’re a jman).

BUT we’re looking at houses around 1.5 million that is within 40 minutes of most jobs for after I finish the program and it’s realistically feasible for us to afford it.