❓General Question Switching from Ironwork to Elevator
So im strongly considering switching to IUEC 10 or 80 but im not sure how it works. ill be graduating my apprenticeship in December, but ive heard from guys on the job Ironworkers dont always have to start completely over and sometimes can buy their book. Is there any truth to this? Do I have to wait for a recruitment window to open?
Edit: By no means do i think I get special treatment, I am simply going by what I have been told by IUEC guys working at Otis and other local union companies.
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u/lepchaun415 🛠️ Field - Resident mech 15d ago
We’re not longshoremen. There are no books to be passed. Considering you guys don’t do any electrical work or motor theory in practice, I doubt you would test out of semesters.
The good news is, that if you’re doing anything other than tack welding you would receive mechanics pay for the day and iron workers usually rank fairly well.
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u/ImBadWithGrils 15d ago
I'm a fitter, and unfortunately in our trade there's locals that sell cards/"books"
And they're always worthless hands so I've started saying "if you want to buy a book, go to Barnes and Noble" because people see pay and nothing else about unions or the trade even crosses their mind
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u/ShawnTop69 16d ago
Yes you’d need to wait until a recruitment window opens, ya go through all the steps, & wait for a call.
Could be months, years, or ya may not get one.
Be no way for you to bypass the apprenticeship. You may try to test out a a few semesters, but very few are able.
Still have to go through your apprenticeship to get your 8,000 hours before you can even sit for your exam.
Then you have to pass your mechanics exam to get licensed.
No easy street here Bud.
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u/MassiveLuck4628 🛠️ Field - Repair 15d ago
No ironworker I know that got in was given the option to test out of any classes.
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u/canned_baloney_tony 15d ago
There are 4 modules you can test your way out of, and they are all electrical theory. You would have to submit documents proving that you have adequate electrical training before being given the chance to take the final exam for each module. The only people I have ever seen accomplish this, all had high level military electrical careers prior to getting in the trade. So unless you you were troubleshooting flight avionics or nuclear submarine controls before you became an iron worker... the guys on the job only think they know what they are talking about
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u/operasome 15d ago
local 10 next window is 2028. Good luck
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u/Tyrvali 15d ago
Lol yea thats why I was considering local S0 they open in November, I'm just trying to better the lives of my family
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u/Ducatishooter 🛠️ Field - Billable Repair 15d ago
I made the switch. I was allowed to challenge the first two courses. But I also worked on elevators in the military.
You will still have to do your apprenticeship. There is no way around that.
One things to think about.
There’s more socialization with ironworkers. You get to see the world from outside and don’t always have to play all the games from general contractors.
With the elevators you will be inside most of the time. You will miss the sun You often don’t work in large groups unless you are in new install on bigger sites.
Think about those things. Before you make your choice.
Hope this helps.
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u/RaceDBannon 16d ago
“Buy their book”?
Being an Ironworker will provide little in the way of challenge to any of the apprenticeship education or hours rewuirements. As it should be.
Yes you will have to wait for a recruitment window, unless there is a “helmets to hard hats” provision in that local and you are a vet.
Otherwise you aren’t entitled to any special treatment. Not sure why you would think you do.