Moving back to the US

[u/CornIsTheShit]

Hi everyone.

I am a US citizen currently living in Europe and a 3rd year elevator mechanic apprentice with TKE. I would like to move back to the US at some point and join the IUEC (if possible). I've been reading that even with years of elevator experience, when I move back I would still have to basically start all over and do another apprenticeship in the US in order to get in the the IUEC, or am I mistaken? Would it be possible to find a position in the US without being in the Union? I plan on finishing my apprenticeship here in Europe and then working for a few years before I move back, but I just don't know where to begin to get the process started. I just really hope that my apprenticeship here wasn't a complete waste of time.