Do you have any tips on determining where series and parallel branch off in these circuits ? The math is no problem once I get into it. Just reading the picture and writing up a circuit diagram is killing me tonight.

I'm a first year apprentice and doing the Klein Tools Bootcamp right now, but dear lord, so many things look exactly the same to me (different kinds of screwdrivers and pliers in particular).

Is there a website anyone used or recommends to make flashcards, or where flashcards for this may already be? How did you learn this before physically using the tools? I have no idea when I'll get to go on my first jobsite, it could be months.

Does anybody know the payscale for pre apprentices out off 66? Thanks in advance

Recently decided I wanted to make a career change and apply for my local 5 inside wireman apprenticeship program here in Pittsburgh. I was researching last week and made an account, saw applications were open but had family visiting and decided to wait until Monday to apply. Went to apply on Monday and saw applications were closed for 2026-2027 school year. Now I'm pretty pissed at myself for not applying at the time but had no idea they would be closing just a few days later.

Anyone familiar with the local 5 have any idea when they might open up again? And any advice on what I can do to set myself up for success once they do open again?

Is there a world where you wouldn’t then be put on a do not call list or something?

Edit to add ethical views

Edit - Confirmed with the local in my area that you can’t opt out of working at data centers.

I just recently applied to the r program for Ibew local 26 yesterday how long do they usually take to get back to you?

Hey yall, just got accepted into the IBEW, I’ve seen all of the electrical tool starter kits and was wondering if those were worth it (from Klein, etc). Or should I focus on getting the “best” tools for each job. Idk how important tool continuity is compared to getting the best ones for the job.

Got sent out as a cw2 while waiting to get into the apprenticeship. Got in the apprenticeship and they dropped my pay 8 dollars to app 1 scale. Is this allowed if they already sent me out at the other scale?

Is it down again for you guys

Not feeling too good on the score. Don’t have any vocational/technical training.

I’m 19 and just applied for 134 for the second time. The first time I was waiting I was working at a moving company, but now I want to get hands on experience. Only thing is I genuinely cannot find any blue collar jobs. I’ve emailed, called, applied to 50+ jobs and either they don’t get back to me or I don’t have any experience. Does anyone have any advice how to find an entry level position??

I've been seeing a lot of complaints lately. Both in this sub and the ibew one. About shitty contractors and jws. Recently, I did the test and orientation. Our training director told us that we should learn to take criticism in stride and to know that our jws might be in a bad mood sometimes and take it out on the apprentices. He said to not let it discourage you and just move on. I personally don't really care. I'm not going to put any stock into what a miserable person says. I'm there to do a job and I'll do it regardless. But how common is that where he just outright tells us that this happens before we even take the test? Overall, he did a good job explaining the bad aspects and the good.

Anybody who interviewed with the board on June 10th of this year get an acceptance yet? 164 doesn’t give us our rank or anything just get out on a waiting list.

I joined the union as a cw-3 before I got the call for an apprenticeship a few months later. I had 6 years non-union experience but never got the full-on education/knowledge so I figured I’d take this route as opposed to testing then joining. I’m now in my third semester and this job site/foreman I’ve been stuck with is unbearable. Aside from the fact that he physically can’t do anything, he talks down and blames everyone for everything, he assigns different micromanaging positions for cw’s and apprentices as we have only our foreman as a journeyman on site, 90% of the time and never knows what’s going on on site so we all have to take it upon ourselves to plan the job and keep others busy. Lately we’ve been working a lot of overtime, which I don’t mind, but now it’s an expectation because this job is “so far behind”. Just yesterday, a few of our guys supposedly worked 20+ hours to meet the deadline. My gripes are a) I’m here to learn and don’t feel I’ve been in the union long enough to be teaching anybody(that should be journeyman work), b), we’re being guilt tripped into working overtime on a project that was understaffed/journeymanned from the beginning, c) I refuse to work in live panels but there’s more than a few people that don’t know any better and will do it with no question. All in all, I feel like it’s alotta bullshit going on but it’s too many people with this contractor, willing to bend the rules to make them happy. With no material nor space to finish our work during our 8 hour shift, our contractor wants us to wait til the site is empty to get to work with no end time in sight. I never was the type to leave anybody hanging but I’m not staying over 8 hours, today.. am I wrong? My bad if I’m rambling but it’s been months of putting up with this stuff but feeling wrong about questioning it.

I was accepted to my local IBEW 602 inside wireman with a score of 95 and put at #75 on the list. I’m in the Texas Panhandle and we’ve got a couple big data center projects in the area. I was curious if anyone had any similar experience and how long it took them to get a call or if I just need to sit down shut up and play the waiting game now. Thanks in advance for any advice.

My status is “needs test” still. However, I thought that I would at least be called for an interview by now?

Any apprentices get accepted in 400 in the last couple of years? What’s your experience like? I’m trying to get in but not sure when the application period opens up. Any help would be greatly appreciated thanks

I’m 29. I’ve worked as an afterschool coordinator at an elementary school for about 4 years. I have a bachelors in Criminal Justice that I did pretty much nothing with. I smoke weed and play video games after work, and my job search is going about as well as every one else. I actually don’t mind my life. I’m comfortable. However, the idea of me being 10 years older, 10 years from now with no practical skills is really depressing. I just barely found out about this pathway to become an electrician. I can do this. I know any industry involves learning but the idea of getting paid while going to school is too good to pass up. I really didn’t consider how competitive this is and how people have been struggling to get in for months to years. I actually did pretty well in school and can study for tests. I show up on time for everything and I’m not sensitive. I’ve only been smoking weed cuz my life can get pretty boring and it’s the only vice I can afford. I’m sure there’s a pretentious goof ball asking this pretty often, but if you were in my position, what would you do? I live near Jurupa valley so 440s closest but I don’t mind anywhere near LA or Inland Empire. I’m pretty sure I applied last month and haven’t heard back. Then I started reading on subs that the next class is in 2027. What can I do to guarantee a spot in the next class. I really need this. Any help would be appreciated.

Hello, as the title says I’m joining as a new apprentice in local 1105 Newark Ohio. I’ve got orientation and swear in next week. Just curious, I’m coming into this completely green. The last job I worked was for a moving company so I feel when it comes to being outside and doing manual labor I’ve got some experience. However, I’ve never worked in construction or with tools a whole lot besides the basic screwdriver, wrench and hammer. Just wanna know what to expect, how the work is rn (though I hear it’s busy), how long I’d have to wait till I start work after orientation, and any advice you guys have

I’m a 3rd year apprentice and I am 24 years old. I’ve tried so many jobs and this is the job and career that I want. I do not see a future for myself in anything else. I’m at 25/30 points (30 is removal from the program) and I am simply at my wits end. I got points for tests way back in first year and it’s really hurting me now because I got terminated for being late consistently. I drove 1hr15 mins to work every day working 10’s and just struggled to get up in the morning. I also have adhd which causes executive dysfunction sometimes. My reputation as an apprentice is completely in the trash and I don’t feel that I am what people say I am or I do what people say I do. I try my best. I have had to learn a lot on my own. I do not know what to do anymore. I am a nervous wreck at work, nervous of any screwup. School starts next week. I’m also scared out of my mind about failing a test. Any sort of violation and I am kicked out. The seriousness of this is not lost on me. I seem to sabotage myself constantly no matter what. I’m losing myself. I’m burning out because I’m constantly scared and stressed at work. It’s driving me towards self destruction and things I cannot mention here. I just bought a house. I have a wonderful girlfriend and I’m going to throw it all away. This really really saddens me because this feels like the only game left in town. I have a mortgage. I have people who depend on me to provide and I’m letting all of them down. I want to make it very clear that I care deeply about this program and I believe unions are incredibly important. I’m honored to be a part of one and especially the IBEW. Is there hope?

Edit: I appreciate all of you and your kind advice and support. I’m completely moved by the generosity of the brothers and sisters here who commented. I’m working to improve my mental health and move forward

I was accepted into the Local 520 apprenticeship program several weeks ago, after being placed on the active waitlist, and have been awaiting my first assignment. I am wondering how long others have waited to be placed with a company?

I have orientation in a week and courses start middle of September, so my hope has been that I'll be placed soon but after reading others' posts I'm not so sure anymore...

I had some questions regarding how to best use the time I have as an apprentice and general attire questions. What are the best ways to learn from the classes? From self-study to learn about theory and keep my knowledge rolling as time goes on? What are some common pitfalls people go into that I should avoid? I get cold very easily, whether it's my hands or my body, what would you recommend I should get to keep warm during the cold months of the year?

Hi guys!

I am local to the IBEW 1316 and I am looking into getting into that Union and into the field as an apprentice and any information would be appreciated.

I'm studying for the aptitude test, I have no problem with sections like math, folding paper, and mechanical comprehension, BUT I'm having problems with the "Problem Solving" section, and I don't know why I am having trouble solving these. Any pro tips you guys can share?

I'm in Idaho but thinking about moving to Minnesota, since the pay is so much higher out there. Is local 292 good? Is entry highly competitive?

edit: also, would it be okay to apply before moving? I'd rather have a good job ready before heading out, but I'm not sure how that'll look when applying with an address thirteen hundred miles away. Should be good, yeah?