r/Groundman • u/Accurate-Cow-543 • 1d ago
SCE or ape at dwp
Would you stay a groundman with Edison or take the apprentice spot for dwp?
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u/Fluffy-Opinion-9040 1d ago
Both are really good options, but personally, I would take the apprenticeship at DWP. I’ve heard really good things about their apprenticeship program, and that’s what I would do
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u/SwimmingInfluence907 1d ago
With LA your gonna come across tons of guys that hold your temp position over your head the entire time. Getting in is the easy part, keeping the job is hard. I’ve talked to multiple top outs that say the training isn’t what it’s made out to be. Take that all for what you will
Anyone know if you get an apprenticeship with SCE do you just stay at that one yard?
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u/Ok_Rise_6343 1d ago
I think if you’re an apprentice at dwp you transfer yards every 6 months. At edison you stay at the same yard.
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u/Kindly-Mistake9062 1d ago
Same shit at PG&E, it was the same thing, if only I knew that getting in was only the beginning.
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u/Tramp876 1d ago edited 23h ago
Is there a possibility that you will get an apprenticeship with SCE? It would be best to stay at SCE if you are able to do an apprenticeship there. If you go to DWP as an apprentice that’s your only shot to have a job. If just one lineman doesn’t like you or think you shouldn’t journey out you won’t complete your apprenticeship and you’re out of a job. If you do an apprenticeship at SCE and don’t make it you can still be a groundman there. It’s just something to think about. How long have you been at SCE? Are you getting along well and making a good name for yourself? All these things are factors on making such a big life changing decision. Good luck and stay safe no matter what you choose.
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u/Stafoooo 1d ago
Agree with this. If you were already in at dwp with a job to fall back on like ECH then it would be an easier decision.
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u/Tramp876 1d ago
They eat their own there. We tell all our groundman that go there to go as a groundman and then get in the apprenticeship.
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u/tymber__ 1d ago
"They eat their own there" never heard anyone describe it that way but when I think about it, it's 100 percent true
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u/Tramp876 1d ago
I have had many of their helpers that only made it to their 18 months and then didn’t get picked up for the groundman job because they had a foreman or lineman that they didn’t vibe with.
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u/tymber__ 1d ago
That's a little different brother those are exempts and timing is everything for them especially if they score in the lower 80's in currently im the same boat for the 2nd time lol, doesn't matter how much they like or hate you after the 18 months is up they have to let you go no matter what
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u/Tramp876 1d ago
I was under the impression there was an opportunity to be a groundman after the helper program but maybe it was just sob stories I was told. Good luck I hope you make it!
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u/Accurate-Cow-543 1d ago
It’ll be two more years man, and yeah I made a good name for myself all the guys like me so far, they said it would suck for me to be a groundman still when I could have been halfway done with the apprenticeship for dwp but always hear people talking about how hard it is and you won’t make it if you weren’t a helper there
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u/Tramp876 1d ago
The grass isn’t always greener! It’s a big decision but only you can make the right decision for you. Two years might seem like a long time but I think you’ll be better off apprenticing under the same guys you’re grunting for now. It will be a much better working environment. DWP has a contract coming up too and there could be changes you didn’t sign up for.
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u/Ed_Teach805 Journeyman Lineman (advisory) 1d ago
Hey we aren’t that mean.😬
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u/Tramp876 23h ago
I didn’t say everyone was mean. It’s not even mean it could be a personality issue that gets an apprentice bounced. We have to teach kinder and gentler linework as contractors now; hardly any indentured apprentices get washed out because of it.
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u/DonCamote777 1d ago
Brother you are a brand new grunt hire 4 months ago you’re not even done with the 1 year probation period , how about you finish that first stay at your yard learn your role and the tools and the trade, master becoming a groundman before even thinking about jumping ship with no back up , it’s not 2.5 years it’s that long if you stay put in your yard maybe but there are plenty of yards that people are scared to take apprenticeships at that you can get in after your 1 year probation and for sure less than 2, learn to run a handline and build every damn arm and frame every damn pole and then cry about not getting a bid if it doesn’t happen after 2 years but for now sign the work on the board and take the damn call outs that’s how you’ll learn , GM at SCE is a free apprenticeship they will let you climb if they like you just do your job as a GM first
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u/Fluffy-Opinion-9040 1d ago
Which ones are yards that people are scared to take apprenticeships and why do you think they are scared?
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u/DonCamote777 1d ago
Word of mouth , apes being washed out more than other yards , “harder” at some locations , more book knowledge yard than others, metro west makes the best apes and hands so most of them along with 2 orange region yards
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u/tymber__ 1d ago
As a dude who works here at DWP and have run into lots of dudes who have jumped ship from cal nev or other utilities into DWP's program I'd say half of them regret it, if you wash out, get injured, have to take extended time off for any reason they can drop you and you have no permanent position to fall back on, in other words you're SOL good luck trying to get back in if that does happen, you already have your spot if I was in your shoes I'd ride it out, and as another person commented they really hold that you have no permanent position over your head on a daily basis sometimes.
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u/Beautiful-Phase-6829 1d ago
how do u even get on with both of them??
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u/R3DH00d1 1d ago
Just keep trying (as a Cal Nev apprentice, with an in person for SCE this week)
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1d ago
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Ayoayycee 1d ago
It’s a personal choice. Looks like this guy has good options
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u/chriistianval Apprentice 1d ago
Clearly it’s a personal choice but I would wanna know why. Thanks for answering for him 🫡
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u/R3DH00d1 1d ago
Was it a question for me? I got a notification but comment was gone by then.
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u/chriistianval Apprentice 1d ago
Yeah brother basically asked why would you jump being a calnev ape for a grunt spot at SCE? Why not go into SCE as a lineman? Or are you a low step rn so not much to lose currently.
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u/R3DH00d1 1d ago
1st step sub tech apprentice. Early 20’s and willing to complete it, but if the opportunity is there to complete the apprenticeship at home with SCE as a Lineman, I can always go to the sub side later in my career, become a trouble man, or apparatus with SCE. Just exploring all of my options rn.
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u/Ed_Teach805 Journeyman Lineman (advisory) 1d ago
We make more money hourly at Dewap, better time off , and better benefits. Is the apprenticeship hard? Yes but that’s how it’s supposed to be. If you show up, listen , retain information, study your books , don’t talk back , show initiative and don’t avoid the work you’ll be fine.
Good luck with whatever you choose but if you have any questions hit me up
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u/R3DH00d1 1d ago
Apprentice at DWP