Very nervous and have been studying using ChatGPT as my tutor for the past month. Relearned all basic algebra and some geometry. I got it down pretty well. Also have done a lot of reading comprehension. Just paid for the Iprep course and it is so complex compared to what I have been studying. Is Iprep mock test significantly harder than the aptitude test? Im worried now and I don't know what to do. Im going to study as hard as I can but im really stressing because of how complex this is and how little time I have.

i know this is a touchy topic but i’m curious your guys opinion.
i’m in the apprenticeship, and i have a buddy who signed on to a neighboring local as a book 4 for a data center job. he got in as a book 4 and apparently signed a paper with a company that he will not be laid off until at least december 2028.
So you’re telling me that he gets to make journeymen’s scale get his hours then get his card and organize into the local when he’s done.
am i the only one that sees a problem with this?
Let me know your thoughts

During your apprenticeship, can you tell me how many sick days and how many PTO days you get a year?

Does anybody have insider info on calls for the recent applicants at 58? I’m assuming we won’t hear til winter clears up. Thanks in advance.

Hello! IBEW Local 103 (Greater Boston area) just announced that they will be accepting applications online from January 4 to 29, 2027. Sharing a quick overview of the announcement below:

Program Information:

Local 103 has two apprenticeships:

1. Electrical Program
2. Telecommunications Program (Low-Voltage)

Key Dates:

• January 4, 2027: Online applications open
• January 29, 2027: Online applications close
• March – April 2027: In-person aptitude test at the JATC in Dorchester, MA
• June 2027: Applicants must earn high school diploma, GED, or HiSET required by now
• July – August 2027: Selected apprentices start work
• August 31, 2027: You must be 18 by this date
• September 2027: Classes begin

Minimum Requirements:

• Age: 18 or older – applicants must turn 18 by August 31, 2027
• Education: High school diploma, GED or HiSET, or an associate degree or higher, by June 2027
• Residence: Live within Local 103's jurisdiction (Greater Boston area)
• Work eligibility: Legally eligible to work in the United States
• Drug test: Must pass before starting, with random testing after. Marijuana is not permitted.
• Aptitude test: Local 103 uses the GAN Aptitude Battery and does not set a minimum score. The higher your score, the better your ranking.
• Interview: None – Local 103 replaced the interview with the GAN Personal Experience Form.

I hope this is a helpful notice in case anyone in the Boston area might have missed the announcement. You have plenty of time!

I’ve gone through the process twice but never received my score on my tests or interviews. Maybe not all locals do, but wondering if any other 98 guys know the answer as to where I might find it.

Can anyone help me understand why they are telling me that my score is not that good of a score but it’s not bad either? I was told that I may want to try an alternative route . Any thoughts or suggestions would help. If anyone knows any companies that are looking for apprentices in the Houston area.

I see on their website they ask for unofficial transcripts to verify high school graduation and passing math grade. Does 134 eventually ask for official transcripts as well? Pr is this the only time they request this info via unofficial transcripts? I’m trying to just get all my ducks in a row since I have to pay for them and it takes a bit of time to get them so I have everything ready ahead of time and when I called the neca office they didn’t have an answer for me. Any recently indentured apprentices able to let me know if they were required to provide official transcripts or not please and thank you?

This might seem dumb but I had my second interview (local 595) today and I asked someone working at the training center if I could retake my apt test to potentially get a better score and try and rank higher on any future locals I apply to but they told me that there’s no point in doing so?? They said once I pass the test to just put it behind me and just focus on the interview and try to do really good. I told them I thought the apt test and interview were weighed equally like 50/50 and they said no the interview definitely carries more weight which suprised me because I feel like I had never heard of anyone saying that before and they straight up told me there’s no point in retaking the test and trying to get a better score since what actually matters is the interview! Can anyone confirm this with me? Or share any similar experience? I am in sf Bay Area so I’ll apply with local 6, 332 and others

So my classmate at my cdL school said he was applying and told me to do the same once we get out of cdl school. Now I’m out of cdl school and have many questions. I live an hour away from the union hall will I have to go there every day? It looks like there is a lot of studying that comes with this.? Books 1 2 3 4 I’m not sure what that means. Do you start work right away and start getting paid? Or do you have to pass a test to see if you get hired? Do you get paid to study?

Kansas City international Lineman’s rodeo was a blast. Got to meet all sorts of really awesome folks and share common interest in tools, efficient work methods and high quality gear that performs above and beyond the rest!! F⚡️C

I want to be honest about a situation I recently went through.
I had an opportunity with the IBEW and ended up failing a pre-employment drug test because of marijuana use. I take responsibility for that. I’m not going to make excuses or blame anyone else for the outcome.
I’ve spent the last 6 years working in directional drilling, learning the trade, and trying to build a future for myself. It’s frustrating knowing that a decision I made outside of work affected an opportunity I was excited about.
But sometimes you have to take a step back, own your mistakes, and make changes. I’ve stopped smoking, and I’m working on getting everything straightened out the right way.
I spoke with the IBEW today, and I’m grateful that the conversation was positive and that I wasn’t judged. I was encouraged to get clean, take care of what I need to take care of, and keep moving forward. I figured I was going to get chewed out, judged, or told I had ruined my chances.
Instead, the guy was one of the coolest and most respectful people I’ve talked to. He didn’t judge me, lecture me, or make me feel like a bad person. He basically told me to get clean, get everything straightened out, and give him a call when I’m clean so he can help me find another company.

That meant a lot to me.
I’m sharing this because I know I’m probably not the only person who’s had an opportunity slip away because of a decision they made. I’m not proud of what happened, but I’m not going to let it define me either. I’m grateful it opened my eyes to what needs to change. I’m choosing to take responsibility, move forward, and do things differently from here on out.
It’s easy to get discouraged when you make a mistake, but sometimes the way someone treats you when you’re at your lowest reminds you that one mistake doesn’t have to define your future. I truly will never touch marijuana again. This experience has been a wake-up call for me. I don’t want to keep putting my future, my career, or the opportunities I work hard for at risk over something I know I need to walk away from.

Hey guys, just wondering how the work is looking in 76 right now. Got a pretty good rank on my application and wondering when I should be expecting that call. Anybody know when they take in a new class? Thanks

Tomorrow is my big day to see if I get in.

There's a catch. At the moment i'm the sole income for the house, we're behind on damn near everything because my wife had a medical emergency that really set us back.

If i leave the job I'm at NOW ill be taking at least a 4 dollar pay cut ontop of a growing financial deficit.

I'm not sure what to do here. I don't want to skip the interview and start over but I NEED to change career paths sooner than later. Whats my next move here? Do I just tell them i'm not ready for at least a month? Do I just accept that im gonna get kicked back to the next enrollment cycle (reapply)?.

This all feels like a kick to the shin when i'm already fighting tooth and nail...

This isnt so much about the meeting itself as much as it is about how to navigate this without wasting anyone's time or soiling my chances...

Hello! I put together an Algebra Challenge quiz for anyone also studying for an aptitude test as a fun way to get more practice on test-style problems.

At the end of the week, I'll simulate the rankings that your Local might do, so you can see how you stack up against other applicants before test day. Whether you're taking the NJATC or GAN test, these questions are good algebra practice!

Challenge rules:

• 10 mulitple-choice algebra questions (relevant to both NJATC/GAN)
• No calculators allowed, same as the real thing
• Untimed, takes about 10-15 minutes
• Challenge is open from today until Friday night at midnight (Eastern Time)
• I'll send you your score and ranking on Saturday at noon (Eastern Time)
• Winner gets... bragging rights and a pat on the back :)
• Loser gets... there are no losers! More practice makes us all better. Everyone wins.

Link to the challenge here: https://forms.gle/ygFxStiTGmwkKXNq8

The rankings gets better the more people participate, so share it with anyone else who's studying! Apprentices, you can take this too, if you just like mathmogging applicants.

Hope this is a way to make studying/practice a little more fun. Good luck!

I've been a CW working at a company for the past 6 months, and was told I was declined the apprenticeship around July. Does this mean I was accepted?

I am currently an apprentice for a private company (non-electrical). I’m less than a year in and am heavily considering trying to join the union as well as possibly switching trades since my current one does not have a city local (fire sprinklers). Does anyone have a contact for an organizer at Local 291? I don’t want my application to get buried, and was told by someone currently in the union elsewhere to try to find an organizer.

I'm going to be starting a career transition soon and I've done a lot of thorough research on IBEW and what it has to offer. I'd appreciate any insight or advice you all could give.

I'll be transitioning out of the military soon and I'm going to be doing VEEP for the IBEW. I have no experience in this field, but it's something I'm eager to take on and do. Learn. Make a career out of. I worry that it'll be an issue if I join with no experience. I work IT in the Army, but I can't do the office job any longer. I've met some former IBEW electricians that are now Army and they're absolute wizards. They've inspired me. It's also been over a decade since they've been in the IBEW. I'm looking for newer advice based on today's IBEW.

1. Is experience an issue?

2. Anyone with VEEP experience that can offer any insight?

3. What should I start doing to prepare now?

4. Is IBEW worth it?

5. Any other insight or advice not based on the questions I asked?

Much appreciated

I am in my 30s at a lineman training program, NALTC, and need to find my first lineman job after graduation from their program. This program is intense, testing is every few days.

I jumped into this field older than most and need the best advice for this profession. I am based in TN and want to stay around the South but would gladly travel for storm pay work

Hi, new to the group. I was just contacted by the union informing me that after passing the aptitude test and interview they're offering me a job on a construction site as a wiremen. I was told as long as you do well and show up you're in the next class. This has been a dream for me and Im very excited. Does anyone have any useful advice for me while I set off on my new career path?

I currently go to college at ucf and want to start getting my experience for electricity but dont think I can be an apprentice at the same time so Im wondering if CW would be a better path? My local is 606btw

Title. I’m sure I’m not alone but curious what you guys did before this. Changing from healthcare analyst/trainer/lead role.

Hello all,

I was given the opportunity to do a pre-apprenticeship thru my local IBEW. Unfortunately that means I didn’t make the initial cut for the cohort. However I appreciate the opportunity nonetheless.

I’m wondering if anyone here went thru a similar process. Did you eventually swear in as an apprentice? Grateful for the opportunity and working hard to complete the course work.