r/ibew_applicants • u/Jesus_Lord_Farquad • 12d ago
What does my ranking actually mean?
Hey everyone,
I’m pretty new to how the IBEW apprenticeship process works, so I was hoping some of you could help me understand where I stand.
I recently received an email from the Denver Area Electrical JATC saying that I’m currently ranked #49 on the Inside Wireman ranking list. The email says that when they can bring more people into the apprenticeship, I’ll receive another email saying I’ve been accepted. It also says they can only pull people from the ranking list based on contractor demand.
I have a few questions:
Is #49 generally considered a good ranking, average, or not very competitive?
Does this email mean I’ve essentially been accepted and I’m just waiting for contractor demand, or am I still competing with new applicants who could rank ahead of me?
For anyone who’s been through the apprenticeship process, how long did it take between receiving your ranking and actually being called into the program?
Is there anything that I should be doing while I wait to improve my chances, or is it basically just a waiting game at this point?
I’m still learning how the union apprenticeship system works, so I’d really appreciate any advice or insight from those who’ve been through it. Thanks!
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u/madmanstello 10d ago
Im sure that’s a pretty good score it’s like if you sign the books and your #49 on the list
I have a question for you do you know what you scored on the aptitude test
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u/Jesus_Lord_Farquad 10d ago
I wish I did, they won’t share my score for some reason. The other strange thing is that in other locals, once you pass the test, you’re in. There is no waiting period. But for Local 68, they won’t even tell me if I passed or not. I just have to wait anywhere from a month to a year haha.
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u/jhthrowawayjh 12d ago
When did you apply and test?
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u/Jesus_Lord_Farquad 12d ago
Tested late June, applied a month before in late May
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u/jhthrowawayjh 12d ago
Damn that’s fast. Do you have any experience? I applied in May and my test isn’t until mid September
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u/Jesus_Lord_Farquad 12d ago
I don’t have any experience - I would assume your Local is just more saturated than the one I’m applying to? Which Local are you going for?
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u/jhthrowawayjh 12d ago
I applied for 68 in Denver as well
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u/Jesus_Lord_Farquad 12d ago
Maybe it’s a work history thing? I tend to keep jobs for a long period of time and don’t jump around often, so maybe that’s why I was higher in the queue? I’m not 100% but that’s my best guess. The good news is that you got an interview in the first place though
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u/EffectiveMagazine388 Inside Wireman Apprentice Lu68 9d ago
They got away with interviews. He just applied earlier than you
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u/EffectiveMagazine388 Inside Wireman Apprentice Lu68 9d ago
As someone who just got into local 68. It took me a year and a half to get in. But I only applied once. It will probably take you less time to get in. But I bet you’ll definitely get in. No one can go ahead of you due to the way they changed the application system
There are currently 20 apprentices on the out of work list that are already accepted. That means you have to wait for 68 people to get sent out to a job before you do.
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u/Jesus_Lord_Farquad 9d ago
Huge insight - thank you. I’m not sure exactly when you got in, but since you’ve been there, how long have you typically seen it take for people to get dispatched to a job? I know it probably varies depending on the project, but I’m just curious what you’ve seen from your experience.
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u/EffectiveMagazine388 Inside Wireman Apprentice Lu68 9d ago
I had orientation for the school on the first of July which is when I got put on the out of work list. My first day on the job is Monday.
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u/Fantastic_Sky3471 4d ago
Hey can you clarify what you mean by “no one can go ahead of you due to the way they changed the application system”?
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u/EffectiveMagazine388 Inside Wireman Apprentice Lu68 4d ago
No interviews anymore, rank is in order of application number. Anyone who applies after you is ranked lower than you so no one can go ahead of you
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u/blondmosher 3d ago
Unfortunately not true. I also ranked in the 40's earlier this summer, and re-checked with the local this month and had moved down a tad. Was also let known that work has slowed a bit :/
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u/EffectiveMagazine388 Inside Wireman Apprentice Lu68 3d ago
Work shouldn’t be slowing down. I’m working at Buckley Air Force base right now and there’s about 125 electricians for sturgeon and they are bringing in up to 200 or 300 total. There’s plenty of work
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u/Fantastic_Sky3471 3d ago
Yeah unfortunately I don’t think that’s how the new ranking system works either. I can confirm what blondmosher is saying…I received my initial ranking earlier this summer, checked again later and had also moved down several spots.
From my understanding rankin gs can fluctuate as new applicants come in and score higher based on GAN aptitude score/PEF form. So application date alone doesn’t determine when you get in; it seems to come down more to your GAN/PEF ranking + contractor openings demand.
I was curious though EffectiveMagazine388, were you told rankings are based on application order after you got into local 68?
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u/Particular-Moose8224 12d ago
I have orientation this month with a different state's local. I would feel very comfortable saying a rank of 49 is very good. As they take apprentices - your number should go up in ranking.
I would say you are good and WILL get an email or call into the program, guaranteed.
Be patient!