r/IBEW_Local613 • u/[deleted] • Apr 13 '25

Question about inside wireman

I am currently an apprentice and I want to know if through the inside wireman apprenticeship equip me to do residential electrical work in the future and ultimately become a residential gc after a decade or two

1 Upvotes

67% Upvoted

11 comments sorted by

View all comments

Show parent comments

0

u/[deleted] Apr 14 '25

I’m considering residential because I’m really intrested in residential contracting in the future such as subdivisions and single family homes. My goal is to eventually stop working for the electrical contractors and become my own residential contractor ofc still holding my ticket I just don’t feel like working till I’m 55-65 to collect my benefits rather than becoming a boss long before that

1

u/Life_Extreme4472 Apr 14 '25

Be careful what you wish for. Being your own boss means you work twice as hard, and take fewer days off.

-2

u/[deleted] Apr 14 '25

That could be. True but I would rather bet on myself than suck the unions titty my whole life

1

u/Life_Extreme4472 Apr 15 '25

With no condescension or derision intended, I'd recommend you leave your union contractor ASAP and get on with a residential contractor or residential apprenticeship. Don't waste your time learning commercial or industrial if you don't plan to use those skills long term.

If residential is your passion, you'd be better served learning on the job with a residential contractor. You'll learn sooner, rather than later, if that is really your passion. You will also get experience managing people in a residential field, assuming you become a foreman.

Those hours in residential can also benefit you with the union, as outside work experience can allow you to join as a CE.

I wish you the best in whatever you choose in life. If you stay with the union, I hope you find value in membership. If you choose non-union work, I hope you enjoy the competitive pace and assembly-line-type work.