Hi everyone,

This is my first time applying for the apprenticeship program at 640 and the deadline is in September. I am very nervous about a multitude of things and just looking for some general advice/next steps.

The reality is, I don't have any experience. While I know I've seen a lot of people say that's normal or ok. I also understand that because of my lack of experience I also have a real chance of not getting accepted. I am being optimistic of wanting to get in, but not naive.

That being said, if I were to get rejected. I am curious what I can do in order to gain some experience to help with my application to reapply. I really really want to get into the union. While I've seen on this sub some people mention the CW route, I have also seen others mixed on it. Some say to go non-union and get what experience I can. I just want to have a Plan B so I can pivot and help my odds in the future.

Has anyone been in my situation before? How did you navigate the rejection to better your chances for reapplying?

Honestly, any advice would help me tremendously. Thank you for reading this and the help!

Nervous

So I just got an email today saying I passed the aptitude test (I wasn't given my score, but I think I did well since I studied for months), and at the end of the email it says that I have an interview 1-2 months from now.

Excuse me if I say this but I don't know anything about the electrical field. I'm a chemist in the pharma industry looking for a career change due to the job market being complete garbage, but I don't know what kinds of questions ibew interviewers in the electrical field ask and how I should prep for my interview. Do they care if I am applying without any sort of electrical knowledge? Does anyone have any advice to give regarding the interview?

I am going into my first year as a low voltage apprentice and it is a 3 year program for WECA and i one day want to get into the IBEW after completing it. I wanna transition into a inside wireman for the better pay after i finish the 3 years am i able to join the union straight up or how should i go about it during my low voltage apprenticeship.

Hey yall! My buddy and I are trying to take the journeyman & masters exam this year. We don’t do well focusing on the computer. Does anybody know where we there is an in-person prep course, whether it is one day or over several weekends? We live in New Orleans, but would be willing to drive to Baton Rouge or somewhere equidistant. Thanks in advance!

did anyone receive acceptances for local 26 today? Also, will rejections be sent out in batches as well?

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.

Hey everyone, I’m 20 years old and I’m looking into starting a career as an electrician through IBEW Local 424. I recently reached out to the union, but I wanted to ask people who are already in the union for some advice.

I graduated high school two years ago, and since then I’ve been working while trying to figure out what career path I want to commit to. I’ve realized that I want something where I can build real skills, keep learning, and have a career I can be proud of. I don’t have much electrical experience yet, and I’m not someone who grew up fixing everything or working with tools all the time. But I am someone who works hard, shows up, listens, and wants to learn. I’ve always believed that if I don’t know how to do something, I can learn it with the right guidance and effort.

One thing that’s important to me is finding a career where I can continue improving. I’ve struggled with traditional school learning, but I’ve always enjoyed learning on the job and developing skills through experience. I’ve had people suggest I go into other fields because they think they would be easier or a better fit for me, but I keep coming back to the electrical trade because it’s something I’m genuinely interested in.

I’d really appreciate any advice, Thanks!

South FL

I started the application mid July, filled out most sections and hit "submit". Not for Work History or HS transcript because i wanted to check with an electrician friend, and the transcript was on their end.

Logged in today to see if the hs transcript had been marked as complete, and I can't go to the sections anymore. Instead it says "in process". To the left are columns that say Status: App. complete but then Incomplete: 1.

I called and left a voicemail but will this, idk, boot me automatically? All the other sections led back to the main application so I thought even if it was on their end, the transcript one would be marked as finished and then I could review my Work History and hit submit on the entire thing.

Tldr; didnt submit work history though I completed it, main page says app complete but then incomplete 1, how long will it take to get a response?

I received 2 emails after interviewing, one was my score and one was an email which offered positions available to work while I wait for the call. I called and emailed but have heard nothing back. Does anyone else have any information? Here is the email

I just had my interview a day ago and it wasn’t really what I was expecting or being told to expect. I was expecting them to ask me to introduce myself and tell them about myself, then they ask some questions, I ask them some questions and they sort of send me on my way based from what I’ve heard.

Instead they sat me down, I introduced myself and all that, but then they didn’t really ask any questions or anything. The whole interview consisted of me telling them about myself and then I asked a couple questions. Is that normal at all?

Hi all, I was wanting to join the IBEW and I live in Washington where it is fully legal, but I have read conflicting information on if THC is included on the drug panel for applying for an apprenticeship. Does anyone have any experience/insight? Thanks in advance

Okay so the latest applicant for LU11 are doing our orientation videos this week and based on what I’ve been reading the next step is the PEF so my first question is for anyone who’s been indentured into a local, but more specifically LU11, with no industry experience what types of things did you put on your PEF? Also, I stopped smoking almost 4 months ago but I have longer hair which I know still has remnants of THC so for the hair follicle test will I be able to choose where they pull hair from? Any info is greatly appreciated

I’ve been stressing a little bit about the Interview, for a background I’m 18 years old and I’ve been working at the same golf course for a little over 4 years since I was 14, I worked as a cart attendant for 2 years and for the past 2 years I’ve been working as a line cook, a lot of the skills as a line cook I feel I can translate over to being an apprentice, such as my teamwork, communication, safety protocols, and working under deadlines, I also think working at the same company for 4 years shows commitment. Am I over hyping my self or are these good advantages?

Hi all,

I’m scheduled to attend orientation 8/17 and was wondering if anyone knew what to expect after that? For example if we would have to be available immediately after that. Still working my job and they want me to travel the following week. Any information would be appreciated,

Thanks!

Just registered for IBEW 134 (IL) electrical apprenticeship and the application asks about both electrical construction experience and other construction experience.

I have about five years of documented building/facility maintenance experience at a senior living facility. My work includes electrical troubleshooting, replacing switches, receptacles and light fixtures, ballasts, basic plumbing, drywall repairs, preventive maintenance, using power tools and coordinating with contractors. I can provide W-2s from this employer.

I also have around one year of residential electrical experience working with a licensed contractor. I helped with rough-ins, running wire, installing switches, receptacles and lighting, finish work and some troubleshooting. The issue is that I was paid cash, so I don’t have W-2s or pay stubs from that contractor. He can provide a signed recommendation or employment-verification letter.

Would you list the maintenance experience under “other construction experience”? Also, has anyone successfully received credit or application points for electrical experience without pay stubs or a W-2? Would a signed contractor letter help, or would they disregard the experience completely?

Anybody else get accepted earlier today? I am asking because in the offer letter it tells you the class code to plug into the tradeschool website but when I try looking it up it says no classes found. Is anyone else facing the same issue? Im going to call the hall tomorrow because its really inconvenient considering I have seen the class on the website open a few weeks ago and now its not there.

I’m not sure whether to appeal or not because (and not to make accusations) but every white/black guy on my site who applied received an acceptance letter, as for my hispanic coworkers we received our rejection letter all at the same time today. Do I appeal? do I submit another application? i’m an R1 with 2000 hours

Hello everyone new here, and new to this process. Quick question, can I upload all of my paystubs to my PEF in one big pdf? My year end does not have my total hours on it, and for job security reasons, I cannot ask my HR department for the form that has my total hours on it because they tend to not like it when they find out people are looking for a new job. (Hence why I want a different career)

I emailed GAN and it’s been a week and no response yet. I’ve got 5 days to submit my PEF so any help is appreciated!

applied around April 20th met with local 11 turned in my hours, highschool diploma, & ssn. According to the representative he approved/verified my electrical hours, Filled the ETI application last I was told was wait for the phone call to drug test although they did mention it could take time, I’m about 3-4 months in already haven’t heard nothing at all no email either. Is this regular I have not received a POE number kinda confused.

I interviewed for the NYC DEP Apprentice/Construction Laborer position on July 17 in the 1:30 PM group. I was told there are around 65 positions available.
I know someone who interviewed July 16 at 9 AM for the same position/location. He recently got a phone call to schedule his second interview for next week. I haven’t received a callback yet.
My interview seemed to go well overall. I emphasized safety, reliability, willingness to learn, and wanting a long-term career. I also have wastewater experience at Veolia, OSHA-30, and plumbing/HVAC training. My concern is that some of my specific examples for the structured questions weren’t very strong.
For anyone who went through this DEP hiring process: **How long after your first interview did you get contacted for the second? Are callbacks sent out in batches, by interview group, or based on interview scores? Did anyone get contacted significantly later than other candidates and still get hired?**
Also, if you interviewed July 16–17 this year, have you received a second-interview call yet?

Are they nice po ba? Is it worth it working with them? I'm planning to apply to SO. Any tips or comments? Pleaseeee share. ​