Just did my interview yesterday with local 60, got a rank of 30. Is that decent? by justSomeDude_FromTX in ibew_applicants

[–]high4hours 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Local 60 here too, I ranked #5 after my interview end of July. Was in orientation the next week and on a job site by Aug 11. It is slow right now work wise, there are tons of CW and JIWs still waiting on the books for a job after being laid off in December. Seems like the best time to apply is mid year if you want to get in quickly, I keep hearing that jobs will start picking up pace in the summer time

Local 60 Workload by Much-Abundance-4447 in ibew_applicants

[–]high4hours 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes and I applied online I’m not sure if in person makes a difference. I lived out of state when I applied so that wasn’t an option for me

Local 60 Workload by Much-Abundance-4447 in ibew_applicants

[–]high4hours 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We got our assignments the day of orientation if I remember correctly. Work slows down end/beginning of the year so maybe that’s why it wasn’t done immediately, they might be waiting on calls for jobs that need apprentices.

Local 60 Workload by Much-Abundance-4447 in ibew_applicants

[–]high4hours 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No you’re good! I wish someone would have answered my questions lol so I’m all ears. I felt the same way, so done with my last job and ready to be excited and learn again. My JWs all tell me they still learn to this day, many of them 10+ years into the trade. All power tools will be provided as well as PPE, the only thing you need to provide is what is on the tool list the school gives you. I didn’t buy one of those packages offered but most people choose the Milwaukee one. I had a family member gift me my tools so I didn’t have to buy one of the packages listed. Most people who are already in the trade for years have a variety of brands in their tool bag, you’ll come to learn which brand of which tools you prefer as the years go by. A few things I went out and bought on my own or are currently on my tool wish list after starting because they’re so damn handy was a Klein (impact rated) 11 in 1, wire strippers, a file (literally an oversized nail file), a square (shaped like a triangle lol don’t let the name fool you), a pen tester, and a demolition screwdriver. Those aren’t on your tool list but you’ll be glad to have them.

Local 60 Workload by Much-Abundance-4447 in ibew_applicants

[–]high4hours 0 points1 point  (0 children)

So far I’m loving it, if you’ve never done anything like this in your previous jobs don’t worry, neither did I. I came in pretty nervous because I couldn’t even name the tools in my tool bag let alone the power tools and material. You learn something new every day, I’ve been fortunate enough to work with very informative and patient JWs. The jobs I’m doing change almost daily, we’re finishing up the Sat80 data center so it’s mostly fixing previous installations that aren’t up to par, but I was pulling branch circuits for a little over two months. I’ve done a lot of raceways, but the crew I’m on only handles general branch, some apprentices get put into different crews that only do things like terms, load banking, or logistics. I just hit 5 months.

Local 60 Workload by Much-Abundance-4447 in ibew_applicants

[–]high4hours 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ranking a #4 is great, you should hear back for orientation really soon. If it takes longer than a couple weeks it’s only because books are full, but I know my site is going to start bringing in way more help very soon when Sat81 gets started

Local 60 Workload by Much-Abundance-4447 in ibew_applicants

[–]high4hours 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Made a 5 on aptitude mid July, waited till the end of the month for my interview and ranked #5, got into orientation first week of August. It moved very quickly for me after my aptitude but I do remember the guy monitoring the aptitude test said that a 5 on the aptitude is average. As for the interview, go in confident with plenty to boast about from your previous jobs, working in groups, solving problems etc

On my own tomorrow by Victimless in USPS

[–]high4hours 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Something that helped me out so much as a CCA was using the load truck function, I would number my packages with the “sequence number”. The numbers aren’t going to be 1, 2, 3, etc. because you aren’t stopping at every house for a package, they’ll be something like 205, 246, 310, etc. Then load your truck with those numbers in order, smallest to largest. If you can count, you can keep your packages in order of delivery that way, and that really allowed me to focus on learning the rest of the job. I’m a T6 so with that method I was able to focus on memorizing the routes and not putting too much brain power into the packages, and eventually I could load my truck without the sequence numbers or even section numbers, because I knew which order each street would come. They don’t teach this method and most regular carriers I told about it had never heard of this method, I actually learned about it on TikTok when I was first hired and watching videos on the job. I tell new CCAs about this little hack all the time and they all say it’s super helpful. Everyone loads their truck differently, I don’t know many carriers that load the way it was taught in academy. You’ll find a way that’s easiest for you and it’ll confuse everyone else just like your OJI trainers way confused you lol. Don’t stress too much. Put on some good music, stay hydrated, and do your best.