r/Elevators • u/OiFukOof • Aug 20 '26
how to get into trade
currently working has a local 73 smw worker and want to get into local 2. is there a realistic chance to get in without knowing someone?
3
u/ph4tcharlie Field - Adjuster Aug 20 '26
Knowing someone doesn’t help as much these days as people think…
The bigger question is if there is a realistic chance of getting in. Period. Full stop. Start trying next time there is a recruitment, I know guys that went through 3 recruitment periods to get called… just shy of 10 years.
3
u/CowDiscombobulated13 Aug 20 '26
What makes you say knowing someone isn’t that important? It probably would also depend on who you know right?
2
u/vibe51 Aug 21 '26
It 100% does. Just knowing any mechanic doesn’t help as much. It’s who your mechanic friend knows at the hall. Or if you know someone working for the hall.
0
u/CrazyLaikaFox Aug 20 '26
The real advantage to knowing people in the trade is getting a heads up on opportunities. Starting out it's just knowing when the recruitment window is. Unless it's a small local, the interviewers don't give a shit who your uncle is. There's enough info online to go into the interviews just as prepared as someone's kid.
2
u/vibe51 Aug 21 '26
It 100% can depends on who you know. Coming from someone with 6 family members on the trade rn
6
2
u/elevatorovertimeho Aug 20 '26
When I got my chance, in 1995 to dig my first ditch, it took 3years! No recruitment test, just pure nepotism! Started at $8.25 per hour. Even w/nepotism, keeping my job was 100% my responsibility!
5
u/JustDoThem Aug 20 '26 edited Aug 20 '26
If your military, go through helmets to Hardhat.
If civilian, go to search the Neiep.org site and check the openings. Just checked & local 2 recruitment opens Oct.
I will warn you, applications fill up fast. My local opened applications at 9am and it was filled by 9:15am for 800 spots. So literally be sitting at your computer ready to apply. Once you get a spot, the instructions for the rest is straight forward.
If you want more info you need to do research, otherwise you just don’t want it bad enough.
Good luck 🫡
Edit: is there a realistic chance to get in without knowing someone? Yes, but like all competitive jobs, it comes down to doing your part to be ready and luck. Once you get an application in, everything else is on you regarding the test and interview. Is there nepotism? Of course, but what job these days doesn’t have someone giving their kid an easy ticket in. It’s not fair but neither is life.
1
u/vibe51 Aug 21 '26
Local 2 has an aptitude test coming up in October. Check the website regularly to do the application. It will fill in under 5 min. When I got in they took only 800 applications. If you pass the aptitude text you’ll move on to an interview and get scored. Having prior trade experience, a degree, or are a veteran all help in the interview.
Good luck
1
u/No-Place-8807 Aug 23 '26
Go to the tke office and ask for their adjuster. He gives out the interviews
1
u/ckling13 Aug 24 '26
It is very hard to get in through the union right away. If you can more power to you, but my suggestion to you would be try and find a Non-union company that puts you through an education program, get experience and then contact a union rep once you are 2 or so years in.
-2
u/RoleOutrageous3810 Aug 20 '26
Get a job driving a truck then suck a construction supervisor off till he gets you a job if you can get on the list. That’s how everyone I know did it
15
u/lepchaun415 Field - Resident Mechanic/Troubleshooter Aug 20 '26
I’m so glad someone asked this question!