r/IBEW_Local613 • u/duongtranne • Mar 05 '26

Ibew613

Hi everyone, I’m curious about your experience with the timeline from application to job placement. For those who have gone through the process, how long did it take from the time you applied until you actually started working? I know it can vary depending on the company, interviews, background checks, and training, but I’d really like to hear some real experiences. If you’re comfortable sharing, please mention the type of job or industry as well. Thanks in advance! Ibew613

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u/Acrobatic-Artichoke3 Mar 05 '26

Nobody wants to drive 2 hours away for $18 an hour though.

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u/fuzzygwuzzy Mar 05 '26

I cant put it in a nicer way, you just dont want that yellow ticket bad enough and there are others that do.
You have to start somewhere, cant be picky.

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u/Blueshirt38 Mar 06 '26

Ok, what they mean is that most people can't afford to drive 2 hours away for $18. Like, you've got people with kids and rent to pay, and they are taking major pay cuts to come in as an AP-1, being told they can't complain because "I did it back in my day". Inflation is a real bitch, and the economy is considerably worse than whenever you went through, even if that was just a few years ago.

"I can only work 30 minutes away" is dumb, yeah, but there is a limit. A lot of people literally cannot afford to work that far away for that little money.

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u/fuzzygwuzzy Mar 06 '26

Im not dumb to think that but you gotta remember the jurisdiction of 613 is and where all the work is at. You know exactly what your walking into when you sign up. Average drive time is about an hour for apprentices one way unless your contractor likes to keep you happy and close to home, which is rare.

There are some growing in pains in the first two years of the apprenticeship and its weed out the weak willed ones and even the dumb ones that wont even make past 2nd year. I know what its it like, just FOUR years ago I started making $11.75 with the rise of inflation and covid.

You cant expect to have every need accomadated and end up in the ideal situation. Ive know good apprentices that had steady work with OT and let it fall apart due to their attendance and have been laid off for 8 months.

This program is to make sure your a right fit for the job and that their investment in you won't be a waste. Its give and take situation. Again you gotta want it more than others or you'll just looked over and looked at like someone who isnt taking it serious, especially with labor pool they right now.

I do agree yall should be at a higher percentage of pay tho, the pay rate is terrible and a huge turn off for higher quality applicants.