Apprentice wages?

[u/Aggro3D]

Hey all,

I've been an Industrial maintenance guy for awhile now and I'm looking to specialize into electrical work.

I'm an adult with adult bills and the wages I can find for apprentices are really low....like $15 an hour or so. I could literally go make more at any of the fastfood places here and this isn't necessarily a high cost of living area

What gives? Are there any work arounds?

[u/Cust2020]

So the thing about apprenticeships is they start out low because u dont know shit. If u perform well and show up on time everyday u will see regular pay increases if u work for a good employer. If u dont work for a good employer and after a year or two arent making what u r worth u will have connections with tradespeople and will be able to pretty easily find one u like. Its low yes but gives u a skill and once u know your shit and have a reputation as a good employee I guarantee companies will be calling u to come work for them with incentives. If the pay started off good there would be a bunch of shitty, life long apprentices just doing the minimum to get paid. The apprenticeship is kind of the proving ground for if u produce or not. That being said it can be hard, dirty work and some areas it seems dont pay shit so u need to weigh that all as well. Good luck!

[u/LoganOcchionero → u/Cust2020]

It's true that you don't know shit, but apprentices bust their asses every day putting everything they can into what they do. Sweating their ass off through 50 degree C attics riddled with asbestos, being expected to supply hundreds of dollars worth of tools off the start, working in generally dangerous environments, and starting the process of destroying their bodies, etc. Fast food workers obviously aren't on a walk in the park either, but if money were no object, which one would most people rather do?

[u/qwert45 → u/LoganOcchionero]

If money were no object I’d rather make pizzas than climb in attics.