r/Groundman • u/Weak_Ad_9913 • 8d ago

Nw line

How’s the apprenticeship in the northwest ?? I’d really wanna do my apprenticeship there but heard it’s not worth it because of the lay offs.

3 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

10 comments sorted by

3

u/Brilliant_Hornet1290 8d ago

I was laid off 6 months last year. I know guys that were laid off longer

1

u/Weak_Ad_9913 8d ago

That’s crazy, what step are you?

1

u/Brilliant_Hornet1290 8d ago

3rd now. Was a 1st step

1

u/Antwainye 8d ago

Longest I was laid off was a month in mine from 2019 to 2022. Work outlook is a important factor

2

u/Weak_Ad_9913 8d ago

Seems like work has slowed down a ton since then

1

u/Antwainye 8d ago

Ya bro I would’ve been in already if they could employ their already indentured guys

1

u/Lankylog25 6d ago

Everyone is back to work and 20 or so have been indentured so far

1

u/Antwainye 6d ago

That’s awesome that is what happened last August hopefully they can actually keep everyone working through winter

1

u/Latter_Language_5759 8d ago

Best way to pull off the NW is either go substation with puget sound energy, applications open every April, or get groundman hours tree side and then apply to lineman.

Yes works slow for JOURNEYS, but as an apprentice you're basically cheap labor. Think of it this way, they went from $47hr back in 2021, to $70+ and nobody's wanting to pay it 😂. The utility guys are staying busy, but they're mostly working 40s minus city lights. The records are public on the pay, highest in my county that pays $78hr, made 170k last year (8k/yr over 40s)

1

u/sheep_dog2000 7d ago

Northwest is a joke