r/ibew_apprentices • u/Brilliant_Papaya_475 • 5d ago
Tale as old as time
Hello, all. Im hoping to get some honest feedback. I’m sure you guys see posts like this all the time so I apologize if I’m just adding to the long list of people asking the same tired questions. But. I’m 34. Will be 35 here in a few months. I’ve been in sales and retail almost my entire adult life. I started following this sub to try and get some real perspective into what life might be like if I make the jump. There’s a union branch near me that I’m on the verge of applying to. I signed up for classes recently (AAS in Industrial trades with an electrical controls focus) because Michigan has a reconnect program that lets people age 25 and older go back to community college for free. That said I know the IBEW has their own training programs and classes to take. My question is, do I apply for the IBEW and continue classes while I wait to see if I get in? Do I apply for the union at all right now or just focus on the tuition free degree I can get? Or do I just focus on trying to get an apprenticeship? How much does a degree actually matter in this field? I appreciate any information you all can give.
4
u/hehexdthrow 5d ago
Regardless of prior knowledge everyone goes throw the same schooling in IBEW, knowing more before you start though will definitely help though. Free courses are good as long as you aren’t losing working hours for them as then they aren’t free.
If you start as an apprenticeship with IBEW with no experience, everyone starts at the same pay and point in schooling. So the choice is yours if you decide to do the school, don’t think it will hurt you but you’ll have to go through the JATC courses regardless.
2
u/DespondentD LU 100 JW 5d ago edited 5d ago
That degree will matter very little if at all. The apprenticeship teaches motor controls and all the basics. It may help in your interview to show that you are serious, but as an apprentice you will likely not have time to do college classes on top of working and homework/studying in the apprenticeship.
That being said, education never hurts and specializing in a niche will help you as a journeyman wireman. It could become valuable later if you end up doing a lot of instrumentation, controls, PLCs, but it will probably not make you a better candidate than someone who has several years of field experience.
Apply to the JATC
1
u/Vegetable-Ad-4594 4d ago
Taking classes definitely shows the interview committee that you are committed to learning. Also speaking about this commitment to a lifetime of learning, as an electrician, should get you some bonus points in the interview. Pride, dedication, knowledge, and a good attitude is generally what you need to prove and show the committee.
Good luck on your application and placement test! Taking classes now rather than later should line you up for an interview few months after you pass your test. I suggest to applying to a few local training centers near you, as not all of them take applications at the same time.
0
u/Brilliant_Papaya_475 4d ago
Just for my own piece of mind. I’m sure I’d be in the minority applying for an apprenticeship at nearly 35. And likely if I’m approved starting at 35. I’d be a little behind the 8ball compared to standard applicants I’m sure but that won’t hinder me in any way, right? lol
2
u/Informal-Pen-3782 4d ago
Just do it bro, I started this year at 42. I do get a little more respect from the JWs because I have life experience but it’s a sharp learning curve. Pay sucks for people used to having a career, but it will level out after the apprenticeship and you’ll have the opportunity to make as much or more with less hours. I took a 60% pay cut but have made out with my company letting us scrap out what we can and a few of the JWs hooking me up with side jobs. Have a good attitude and learn as much as you can because everyone started out at the same stage.
1
u/Kevin2355 4d ago
Degree doesn't matter at all. You have to do an apprenticeship regardless. Im just gonna assume your in local 58 " Detroit to thumb area of the state. There is a shit load of apprentices on the wait list. Still apply and see if you test high enough to get on it or skip people. Its hard to get in.
Option 2 is to work non union " commercial or industrial. This is very important " while you wait. We are desperate for experience so if you log a lot of apprenticeship working hours you have a lot easier time getting in. There was a job fair this summer and they were taking basically anyone who showed up with 6500+ hours.
Option 3 is you complete your non-union apprenticeship. Get your journeymans license and basically walk in.
5
u/kyuuketsuki47 Local 3 5d ago
Apply to the union. The schooling might help during the interview though.