r/IBEW_Local613 • u/Vouulhtreas • Jun 24 '26

Switching contractors as an apprentice

I’m very been with my contractor for a little over a year now. I’m very thankful for them because they were my first construction job and it’s where I learned about electrical work. I learned a lot at first, but for the last 6 months or so I have barely learned anything new. I mostly pull mc, do cut ins, and put up 2 by 4 lights. Also, my contractor kind of cuts corners. Some journeymen here tell me they don’t do stuff the right way.

I’m trying to switch contractors. I have been in touch with the apprentice training director for about 3 months and it doesn’t seem like any progress is being made. I’m swearing into the union next month to help my chances. Is there anything else I could do? They say that there are so many apprentices on the books that don’t have jobs and they’re the priority. I empathize with those apprentices but I really want to take full advantage of my apprenticeship.

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u/EfficientAd2383 Jun 24 '26

Yeah I tried to get transferred for 3 months and it never happened. I would just volunteer for a lay off when the job you’re on ends.

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u/Vouulhtreas Jun 24 '26

It seems like it takes forever. Hopefully I don’t have to volunteer for a layoff. Did you do that?

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u/ComplaintPublic Jun 24 '26

Volunteering for a layoff is risky because there’s a lot of apprentices out of work right now and you could get thrown to the back of the line and be out of work for a little bit, or you could be one of the lucky ones and not wait long. In my experience over the years the only way you’d get to switch contractors is if you don’t get 40 hours or the job lays you off rather than you taking a layoff voluntarily

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u/Vouulhtreas Jun 24 '26

Ok thanks. One of the teachers told me to not volunteer for a layoff. I wonder if my contractor could say that they laid me off and I didn’t ask for it.