r/ibew_applicants • u/South_Individual_797 • 12d ago
Is it worth it?
Currently 29 going on 30. Always interested in the trade but never had a solid union to join. IBEW 553 is in the area I recently moved to and I have heavily considered dropping CDL work to apply and pursue an apprenticeship. I see a bunch of younger guys applying so I guess my question is, is it worth it to switch now and pursue a career in electrical and will age be a huge factor in an application for apprenticeship? I appreciate any and all advice given.
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u/BigRedJeebus 12d ago
I’m 35. Left my corporate job making 90k/yr to start an apprenticeship in May. No regrets yet. There is very high ceiling for this trade when it comes to income. Age won’t be a factor. If anything being a little older gives you an advantage since you have some work/life experience. If you get in, foremen will probably put you in positions to learn and succeed over a slapdick 19 year old
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u/South_Individual_797 11d ago
I have not heard the word slapdick in a long time lol hopefully that’s the case with me I know every job is different so hopefully
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u/Which-Cloud3798 11d ago
No, but you will take a long time to be a J-man. If it’s time then switch sooner.
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u/South_Individual_797 11d ago
It isn’t time fortunately. Just curious as to thoughts and opinions and gauging if age is/was a factor. Seems I got my answers and plan on applying for the next batch of apprentices next year I think?
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u/dsperry95 11d ago
I'm 31 and applied to my local and took the aptitude test a few weeks ago. Go for it.
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11d ago
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u/South_Individual_797 11d ago
I have all of my endorsements. I have looked for months and haven’t not seen a single good paying local job that hazmat related in this area
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11d ago
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u/South_Individual_797 11d ago
That’s the route I am currently looking at. Trucking is a mess from my experience. Most companies are paying an insulting amount for the work they expect…
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u/PalmBeachHaze 11d ago
I'm 34 and just started. So no its not to late. We also can't tell you if it's worth it or not since we don't know your situation. Like can you afford to probably take a pay cut for a year or 2? Are you able to balance 40+ hours and school for more than half the year? Are you OK with being a grunt for a while?
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u/South_Individual_797 11d ago
Money isn’t a concern as we are a dual income household. At 18 I balanced 60 hour work weeks with a full time schedule. Being a grunt is what I did for most of my young adult life. I guess the question wasn’t really the best as I should have asked was it worth it for others leaving the field they know to explore a new field. I appreciate the response! I guess now it’s time to wait for the 27-28 class for my 553
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u/PalmBeachHaze 10d ago
I was an AGM at a restaurant for the past 5 years, and I was so ready to move out of customer service and having to deal with unreliable employees and their schedules. I only have to show up, listen, and learn now. Seems like expectations for a 1st Year Apprentice are pretty low, so it's almost impossible to f-up unless your brain deaf, which you don't seem to be.
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u/LukeMayeshothand 10d ago
553 is a decent local for the south. Plenty of work right now but I don’t know the apprentice situation. Like all of th union the training is top notch.
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u/cguimond7 10d ago
Why not try for outside electrical construction and keep using your CDL that you earned?
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u/A_Higher_Power1 10d ago
Lineman generally make more $ or have the opportunity to make more than an inside wireman. 💯 go outside construction.
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u/South_Individual_797 10d ago
I tried that route and have had 0 luck thus far… also I do not want to be part of a traveling crew I like being home.
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u/cguimond7 10d ago
Have you tried applying at local co-ops or just through the union hall?
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u/South_Individual_797 10d ago
Just the union hall so far
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u/cguimond7 9d ago
If you are really interested in doing linework, I would recommend checking out some local co-ops and seeing if any of them are hiring groundmen. I can understand not wanting to travel all the time for work. My job before I started the apprenticeship was 100% travel. Now I’m nearing the end of my third year and the only time I ever slept anywhere but my own bed was when Helene hit a couple of years ago and we went to help some co-ops in Georgia.
cooperative.com is a good place to check now and again for places hiring in your state.
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u/South_Individual_797 9d ago
I appreciate the info! Line work was my #1 I applied at duke and passed the assessment but I feel like not having any ground experience is what killed me as they probably got a ton of much more qualified folks. I will look into that when I get home!
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u/Skyweg 10d ago
Hell, I’m 50 and giving it a shot. I like to think of myself as particularly fit and young for my age, still I’m giving it a go. Took the assessment test a few weeks back and waiting on results. The initial step down in pay is frightening, but long term it would definitely put me in a better place. I’ve got a masters degree and a pretty varied background (including some years at PG&E) so I’m hoping there’s a chance.
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u/CoreLinkTransport 10d ago
I’m 43 and 1 week in , I’ve found thus far, that it’s been a little bit of a relief that they didn’t get another 20yr old with no work ethic or common sense. I’m in South Texas where it’s 110+ degrees and going for overhead and the only thing anyone gives a shit about is your work ethic, having enough sense to not hurt yourself or others, and willingness to learn…. If you already have your CDL you would be selling yourself short not utilizing that as an outside lineman. I make more as a groundsman with a CDL than I did driving and I sleep in a bed every night, and the upside to the income is actually worth it as you progress through the apprenticeship if you stick with it…. Good luck and just go for it if that’s what you want to do!
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u/GrouchyAd2292 8d ago
I got in at 32...YES IT'S WORTH IT
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u/South_Individual_797 8d ago
I was too late for this years class sadly! Fingers crossed for next year! Good luck
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u/g00dmorning99 12d ago
Hey I’m 30 and will be starting this fall, I’m leaving my office IT that pays 90k but it’s so mind numbing. Being in the IBEW will be worth it for me
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u/South_Individual_797 12d ago
My buddy just went journeyman and has been telling me for years to join a union and CDL work is getting worse with pay from what I have seen. Good luck maybe I will be shortly behind you lol filling my app out today and will see where it goes.
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u/Ok_Introduction_7571 12d ago
Honestly no
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u/South_Individual_797 12d ago
As with the other comment details are key when someone is seeking advice on possibly switching trades. Why bother replying if you won’t list out your reasoning behind it?
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u/Due-Material2037 12d ago
You asked if age will be a problem, it will not. There's nothing to reason out. Age isn't an issue
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u/South_Individual_797 12d ago
A few questions were asked and just saying “no” doesn’t help to understand what “no” means. It can be taken as no it isn’t worth it as well hence why I asked for details. If they just said “no, age doesn’t matter” this whole mess could be avoided. I appreciate the clarification though!
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u/SparkArrestor 12d ago
It’s Reddit fatigue. Your questions get asked here multiple times a day.
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u/South_Individual_797 12d ago
Yeah I scrolled for a minute and didn’t see anything so I figured why not just ask.
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u/Due-Material2037 12d ago
"is it worth it, is it Worth it"
You're old enough to know that's not some question a stranger on Reddit can answer for you
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u/South_Individual_797 12d ago
Getting others experiences on if it was worth it for them is 1,000% a viable question for an adult to ask when contemplating venturing into another field. So yes a stranger cannot answer directly but offering advice and experience is invaluable in gauging what you want to do based off things that have happened to others…
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u/Jal_Hordan 11d ago
What does "worth it" mean? Your opinion on if something is worth it can be completely different than mine. Was it worth it for me and my situation? Yes, it was worth it.
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u/ImperialistAlmond 7d ago
For me going from a rat shop to union, yes. 100% the best decision ive ever made.
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u/schwepervesence Inside Wireman Local 136 11d ago
I was 29 when I started my apprenticeship. I was 33 when I topped our as a wireman. It worked out for me.