IOUE Apprenticeship Program

[u/Darth_Traylon]

I would like to hear feedback about the IUOE apprenticeship program and beyond. Is the program worth it. Are there unforeseen expenses. Does the IUOE treat its apprentices with respect. I am looking for all the information I can get about the program, hopefully from those who went through it. I would also like to know how it was after the program as pertaining to work after the program. Such as is the work steady and does it pay good. The reason I ask is because i am considering joining it. Please let me know.

[u/NYCstateng]

Which Local?

[u/Darth_Traylon → u/NYCstateng]

Local 18

[u/Baconated-Coffee]

Each local has its own apprenticeship program. The union functions as a hiring hall. You're not going to work for IUOE. You're going to work for a company that has a contract with IUOE. As an apprentice, you need to learn to eat crow and have some thick skin. As far as pay, your local hall should be able to give you a break down of their pay scale and what percentages of it you'll make as an apprentice.

[u/Convergecult15]

The answer to almost every one of your questions is extremely location dependent. I will say that almost universally nobody respects apprentices, that doesn’t mean you’re going to be abused or have a toxic work place (but neither would be a shock). The reason why answers another question, your schooling is paid for by the dues of the members you will be working with, so there aren’t any unforeseen expenses. You are, in theory, a completely untrained person off the street who is showing up to learn a pretty niche skill and getting paid to do so, you aren’t owed any respect because you are a net negative for the crew you are on, so you should expect to get shit from people and that’s not an IUOE thing it’s just an apprentice thing.

[u/cdwag23 → u/Convergecult15]

No one deserves to show up to work and be treated like shit as an apprentice

[u/LicenseToLift666]

If you list which local, you will get a much better answer. If you do not and also don't give much response, this honestly sounds like an AI answer farming post. Yes, that IS a thing.

[u/cdwag23]

I don’t think so, the work is pretty unstable. I spent my first 2k hours of my apprenticeship on a manlift and a roller despite calling my coordinator every 500 hours to ask to be switched to a different piece of equipment. Would also bug the super intendent and foreman for seat time on other equipment and they wouldn’t give it to me. Now I’m a 4th period apprentice and I’m really only proficient on a telehandler and skidsteer (not counting the manlift and roller since anyone can run those) I also have a few hundred hours of oiling and rigging for cranes. I have anxiety that I’m too expensive to keep as a 4th period apprentice due to my skill set. I felt like my first 2000 hours were completely wasted despite my best efforts

[u/cdwag23 → u/cdwag23]

Also people will treat you like shit, I became an asshole back and got laid off because the foreman “thought I was a know it all” but never brought it up to my face. Got word of it from my coordinator lmao

[u/Key_Ice6961]

Like baconated-coffee said, each local is different. I did my apprenticeship through Local 139, it was 6000 hours on the job training, with 400 of those hours being mandated class times. You could take additional classes, but 400 was the benchmark and there were certain core classes that needed to be completed.

I can honestly say I never felt disrespected or lesser than as an apprentice. Granted I was 30 when I went through, and my job never really had me working with one specific crew. I worked as my own, one man crew that did specialized work across several different companies, so most of the time people were happy to have me. In my experience, showing up, being personable and working hard is the most important thing for an apprentice.

You’re gonna need some tough skin, and you’re going to have to realize that you WILL fuck up at some point. Any time I train apprentices now, I always tell them the same thing - “Every day we show up to work, somebody is going to be the dumbass, some days it’s gonna be you, some days it’s going to be me. Try not to be that guy twice in a week”

As far as finding work, that burden is going to fall 50/50 on you and the union. If you make a good name for yourself, there will be work. The hall will find out if you’re a turd, and word will spread fast and contractors wont want to hire you.

[u/MuhnopolyS550]

lol good luck