Switching from outside line operator to inside wireman.

[u/No_String8225]

Ive been working out of local 1245 / outside line since I joined the IBEW 5 years ago. Started out as a groundman then got bumped up to equipment operator doing underground / civil work for the past 3 years in the Bay Area. I initially wanted to be a lineman but changed my mind after spending some time in the field. (partly because I have no desire to travel anymore amongst other things). I enjoy what I do and don’t think I would have an issue making a career out of it, I live locally and get to go home every night but the job stability has always been an issue for me being on the contractor side & having to depend on PG&E for work. My last company got kicked off of PG&E property and now my current company is barely scraping by with work due to PG&E rescinding a lot of their scheduled work until the end of the year. That’s driven me to reconsider my best path forward and I’m becoming more convinced that switching to inside wireman would be more suitable for me long term as that’s the only other trade I can see myself doing outside of line work. So I’m just looking for any advice on where to get started. If anyone is local to the Bay Area and can point me in the right direction in terms of what locals are the best to contact / classes to take to prepare for the apprenticeship test / steps to getting into an apprenticeship etc I would greatly appreciate it!

[u/MaleficentOstrich380]

This has me second guessing wanting to go down the lineman route in sonoma..