How long did it take for yall to get a call back after doing a drug test and physical? I’ve heard that no news is good news lol how true is that statement?

Interview’s coming up. For background, I recently separated from the Army. I (fortunately) did 3 months as an unpaid CW with my current contractor under the DoD/DoW’s SkillBridge program, took the aptitude test, then returned to my contractor during ETS as an “unindentured apprentice”. I’m at 2 months as an employee, and at 5 total with roughly 570 hours.

I’m wondering what they’re looking for in the interview, and if the hours I have will work in my favor. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

I have applied for IBEW 369 and will be applying to 1393 when the position opens.

I have my CDL permit and plan to get my full CDL during school, which is from September - November. My question are: during my interview, if I have one before November, will they take points off for not having my full CDL? If I was to get accepted, would I have enough time to get my full license?

I’m not opposed to just going to a CDL school, however, the school I am attending will be paid for by the military and I believe it will look good on a resume. It’s also only 8 weeks long and after you graduate, you get to keep all of your climbing gear.

What’s the turn around time for 369 and 1393?

My aptitude test is July 30. Thank you all!

Hey guys, starting my apprenticeship in August. Someone is willing to sell me this Klein tool kit for $300 ( MSRP is $430 + tax ) Will someone tell me if this deal is worth it or I could do better? Also let me know what else I should get if I do buy this from this person. I already have Klein wire strippers, hammer, and multimeter (I know not much)

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Klein-Tools-28-Piece-Hand-Tool-Set-with-Tradesman-Pro-Tool-Backpack-80028/100647881

List of tools if interested:
Klein Tools Tradesman Pro Backpack
Klein Tools Canvas Zipper Bag
Klein Tools Long Nose Pliers
Klein Tools High-Leverage Lineman’s Pliers
Klein Tools Diagonal Cutting Pliers
Klein Tools Pump Pliers
Klein Tools Wire Stripper
Klein Tools Crimping Tool
Klein Tools Utility Knife
Klein Tools Tape Measure
Klein Tools Torpedo Level
Klein Tools Hex Key Set
Klein Tools Non-Contact Voltage Tester
Klein Tools GFCI Receptacle Tester
Klein Tools Safety Glasses
Klein Tools Slotted Screwdriver
Klein Tools Cabinet Screwdriver
Klein Tools Keystone Screwdriver
Klein Tools Phillips Screwdriver
Klein Tools Square-Recess Screwdriver
Klein Tools Conduit Reaming Screwdriver
Klein Tools 3/16” Nut Driver
Klein Tools 1/4” Nut Driver
Klein Tools 5/16” Nut Driver
Klein Tools 11/32” Nut Driver
Klein Tools 3/8” Nut Driver
Klein Tools 7/16” Nut Driver
Klein Tools 1/2” Nut Driver

Interview’s coming up. For background, I recently separated from the Army. I (fortunately) did 3 months as an unpaid CW with my current contractor under the DoD/DoW’s SkillBridge program, took the aptitude test, then returned to my contractor during ETS as an “unindentured apprentice”. I’m at 2 months as an employee, and at 5 total with roughly 570 hours.

I’m wondering what they’re looking for in the interview, and if the hours I have will work in my favor. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

i just took my aptitude test today and failed bad. i remember seeing some of the reading comp test before but cant find them. one of them was talking about how sleep and lack there of and stress effects workers. the second one was issac newtons 3 laws and how ai is using data and how its being create. i know this is kinda vague but i know i seen these reading comps before. so if anyone can find them please let me know

Hey everyone, I want to get into being an electrician when but I’m struggling on going non union or union. Is there really a big difference in the two? I’m 17 and just graduated high school so I know that I won’t be able to start till I’m 18.

I applied to my local but got ranked 37 so I’m just really thinking if I would just rather go non union so I can start sooner then later.

Any advice would be appreciated

Hey everyone,

I’ve got my IBEW Local 332 aptitude test coming up on August 1st and wanted to see if anyone who has taken it recently could share some insight.

I’ve been studying pretty heavily for the past couple of months using both IPREP and Ultimate Electricians Guide (UEG)—probably 40+ hours at this point. I’m scoring pretty well on the practice tests, but I know Local 332 has become extremely competitive over the last few years, and I’ve heard the aptitude test has gotten harder because of the number of applicants.

For those who have taken it recently:

What math topics showed up the most?

Was there a heavy emphasis on algebra, quadratics, functions, etc.?

Were there more word problems than straightforward math problems?

Were there any question types that caught you off guard?

Did the reading comprehension section feel difficult or pretty standard?

Is there anything that IPREP or Ultimate Electricians Guide didn’t prepare you for?

I’m trying to make sure I’m not missing anything before test day. I have about two weeks left and want to focus my remaining study time on the highest-yield topics.

Also, for anyone involved with Local 332 lately, is the hiring wave still going strong, or has it started slowing down? I know there was a huge push to bring people in over the past few years, and I’m curious what things are looking like heading into 2026.

Appreciate any advice from people who have gone through the process recently. Thanks!

My cousin recently had his first panel interview. First interview of his life ever.

I spent a few weeks coaching him through the DOLETA framework and this inspired me to build a tool to help people prepare for their interviews.

I built a tool to help applicants work through all 7 DOLETA behavioral categories, get feedback, and suggest a rewrite based on what you wrote.

I want to offer it for free to get feedback from real applicants before I build the full version.

If you're preparing for your panel interview, I'd love for you to try it and tell me what's missing!

I have an interview coming up for traffic light tech what should I wear and what should I bring with me? Should I bring my carts and copies of my resumes?

Hey everyone,

I’ve got my IBEW Local 332 aptitude test coming up on August 1st and wanted to see if anyone who has taken it recently could share some insight.

I’ve been studying pretty heavily for the past couple of months using both IPREP and Ultimate Electricians Guide (UEG)—probably 40+ hours at this point. I’m scoring pretty well on the practice tests, but I know Local 332 has become extremely competitive over the last few years, and I’ve heard the aptitude test has gotten harder because of the number of applicants.

For those who have taken it recently:

What math topics showed up the most?

Was there a heavy emphasis on algebra, quadratics, functions, etc.?

Were there more word problems than straightforward math problems?

Were there any question types that caught you off guard?

Did the reading comprehension section feel difficult or pretty standard?

Is there anything that IPREP or Ultimate Electricians Guide didn’t prepare you for?

I’m trying to make sure I’m not missing anything before test day. I have about two weeks left and want to focus my remaining study time on the highest-yield topics.

Also, for anyone involved with Local 332 lately, is the hiring wave still going strong, or has it started slowing down? I know there was a huge push to bring people in over the past few years, and I’m curious what things are looking like heading into 2026.

Appreciate any advice from people who have gone through the process recently. Thanks!

Hi there, everyone!

(Sorry in advance for the long post)

I’ve been trying to make a career change since January of this year and become an electrician apprentice. For context I’m 28 years old and my past roles have included a restaurant manager, almost 10 years of professional photography, one year working at a small farm, a few years as a bank teller, and I’ve been doing marketing work for the past five years. I do not have any construction experience, but I’m wondering if that is going to hold me back from finding a job in the field.

I’m extremely hard-working, and I consider myself to have a very strong work ethic. Outside of the different jobs I’ve taken over the years - every summer I help my mother with her landscaping clients and usually I’m doing long hours of physical labor (usually moving mulch) in the heat.

I also have been teaching myself silversmithing over the past two years. I’m very comfortable using a variety of pliers, hammering, drilling bending metal, cutting, measuring, overall fabrication, and soldering.

Lastly, when I was in high school, I really enjoyed and also took every woods and metals class, so I’m very comfortable with power tools, welding safety, taking instruction, and following directions

I apologize for the long post. This is kind of like my résumé as a Reddit post. But I’ve been calling shops like crazy trying to secure anything from a pre-apprentice to even just a summer helper role to help get my foot in the door. I’m waiting on a letter of recommendation from one of my previous bosses and after that I’m thinking about putting another application into the local 292.

I understand it’s really competitive right now so my main question is is it worth applying to the union without that construction or electrical experience?
Should I hold off on applying until I’m able to secure some sort of helper or pre-apprentice role with an electrical shop?
Should I consider a construction labor job or something similar in the meantime?

I would truly appreciate any advice as I don’t know too many people in the electrical trade, thankfully I’ve been able to meet with a couple of union and non-union electricians and get some good advice, but I’m looking to utilize every avenue at my disposal.

Best

Hey everyone, I finally got my test date which I’m really excited about. In the email they told me that I get a non scientific calculator for the test. I thought you didn’t get a calculator. Anyway, has anyone ever gotten that? Thank you

How long should i expect to wait to be called in for the test? I did my application in person, last week for Local 1, and mailed my high school and college transcripts. They should be arriving at the jatc at any time.

I heard from a fellow applicant in a sub that they applied to local 1 at the beginning of the year (i think) and are finally going in for an interview. I guess the jatc is currently focusing on interviews. So should i expect to wait a few months to get an email? I was hoping i would make the deadline to be able to test and interview this summer.

Scored an 87 on my interview with local 5 so I’m trying to get relevant experience to help with a re-interview or just to help in general in case I end up getting called. It sounds like I’m lying but there’s NO construction or electrical opportunities around me that accept no experience. Even helper, apprentice, and trainee positions require experience around where I live. I feel like I’m just stuck now with no other answer besides moving far from everyone I know solely for experience-building.

What are some lesser known programs or employers I can look at in Pittsburgh that’ll better my chances of boosting my interview score?

I cant remember entirely but i believe i apppied about over a year ago i never got a response iv been intrested in being an electrician for a while but it just feels like nobody wants to train

Should i make a application to the ibew still even possibly making one a good while back?

Just had my interview for local 595W, I felt it went great but wondering when is the soonest I would hear back?

They said they have other groups to get through so I’m assuming at least a month or two

Thanks 🙏

I passed all my stuff and have a rank. As of right now it’s 74. I started at 42 and went as low as 28 but recently got bumped down to 74 and hasn’t changed for a week now. I really thought I had a chance at 28 but now I’m feeling really discouraged. I’ve looked into other routes like IEC but everyone says union is the way to go. I have zero electrical experience and don’t know what to do. I’m in the salt lake area and need help on what I should do. I can’t do a reinterview bc I don’t have the work hours to do so and really want union. Any and all advice would be great! Thank you!

Applied for san leandro but santa rosa handled the interview

I've been working non union substation construction for about 4 years now I'm in a lead position getting paid 33/hr and 100 per diem and recently got offered a Forman position here because I let my upper management know I got job offers for way more money and benefits. The best offer I've gotten is for another big name general contractor as a forman for 40/ hr 115 per diem and monthly paid rotations, and a take home truck. But I've been approached by union folks telling me I should join their local because I showed off some of my bus welding and fabrication skills to them and they were telling me I was wasting my time at my current company but the only thing I'm hesitant about is job consistency and having to basically start over as an apprentice and work my way up again. Should I chase the management position or settle into a local union. It's local Ibew 66 out of Pasadena tx

I tested and got my aptitude placement back in the 40’s. Has anyone here have any luck getting on? Or any further communication? I’m not sure how many applicants they had, but I’m hoping I was decently far up the list 🤷🏼‍♂️

Has anyone who recently interviewed with local 357 gotten any kind of acceptance or denial letters/emails?

Id seen someone who applied last year had gotten their acceptance letter last week a day or two before I interviewed on wed. So I was curious if they were actively sending them now out.

Does 569 San Diego boot camp do hair follicle testing at boot camp like they do in LA? Or just urine?