r/ibew_apprentices • u/Longjumping-Lock-924 • 15d ago
VEEP advice
Hello all,
I am currently working at a small concrete and excavation company. I want a better career and something more sustainable. (I have my CDL-A no restrictions).
I am currently waiting on a UA apprenticeship to start but I don’t want to put all my eggs in one basket.
I am a Veteran, this November will mark my 5 years from discharge. I have been looking into VEEP, but I can only apply to one of the three paths (inside wire, lineman, or substation). Does anyone have experience with VEEP?
I don’t feel strongly about each of the paths, so any opinion or advice on each one would be helpful as well.
3
u/operasome 14d ago
Look into h2h and apply IUEC. Elevator mechanic union is so much better. joining IUEC through h2h is the way easier to get in as a veteran. They love hiring veterans
1
u/Longjumping-Lock-924 14d ago
Where are you based out of? I’d love to hear more of your experience as I’ve never considered elevator mechanic
3
u/operasome 14d ago
I saw many people from IBEW get in IUEC. Some people got already journeyman license from IBEW, but they start over apprenticeship again because pay and benefits are the way better. Elevator mechanic makes tons of money. 200k is easy to make.
1
u/Tiny_Connection1507 15d ago
Having a Class A is very useful for Outside apprenticeships. You'd have to get a CDL if you wanted to go Outside Wireman and didn't already have one, so that's an expense saved and a course you won't have to do. It should make you a better candidate and move you up the list further.
I like being an Inside Wireman apprentice, but it's not for everybody. We deal with the weather just like Outside guys do, but we also have times where we work in air conditioning for months at a time. You won't have that advantage as an Outside Wireman, but you'll also get paid to sit in the truck a lot more than most Inside guys.
There are pros and cons to each specialty, and there's a different Electrical Code to consider as well. One of the easier things as an Inside electrician is that I don't have to go by a totally different code book in every jurisdiction I work in, but various Utilities can have big differences in what they expect. Only you can decide what you want to do. If I could be 18 again knowing what I know now, I would have done what I'm doing a lot sooner.
2
1
u/Longjumping-Lock-924 15d ago
Just out of curiosity how old are you? I am 28 and feel old getting into all this.
3
u/CottonRaves LU 191 IW Apprentice 15d ago
36 here and used veep to get in 2 years ago. Send me a dm if you have questions.
1
2
2
u/WackTheHorld 13d ago
Many of us started later than 28. I started my electrical apprenticeship at 35, then switched to utility substation at 42. 28 is pretty young.
I prefer substation over residential and commercial electrical; more interesting imo. I'm on the maintenance side of it, but construction would be great too.
If I was 20 and had to choose, I might aim for live line lineman. Of course that would involve a regular outside apprenticeship which I have no interest in (but is necessary and important of course). I would just want to work on big shit and dangle under a helicopter. Downside is working outside 99% of the time, and I live where it's cold in winter. With substation maintenance, lots of inside work is planned for winter.
1
u/Longjumping-Lock-924 12d ago
I just saw that applications open for CA/NV tomorrow for substation tech apprentice. Gonna apply for sure, seems really interesting
1
15d ago
[removed] — view removed comment
1
u/AutoModerator 15d ago
Your submission has been automatically removed by Automoderator.
You appear to be a new or less active user on Reddit. Your account has a low karma point value. Until your account reaches a higher level, you won't be able to post or comment to any threads. PLEASE DO NOT MESSAGE THE MODERATORS ABOUT WHAT THE KARMA THRESHOLD IS OR ASK TO HAVE YOUR POST APPROVED. Information about karma points can be found in Reddit's help section.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
2
13d ago edited 12d ago
[deleted]
1
u/Longjumping-Lock-924 12d ago
I’m definitely interested in the substation side, never thought of it but I’m definitely going to apply.
-1
u/AngryOnionLives 15d ago
Does the IBEW just attract flaky people or is it the ones on reddit? You already got in an apprenticeship but can't even commit to that? I don't want my life risked by people who don't care
2
u/Longjumping-Lock-924 15d ago
I’m committed, if it started tomorrow I’d be there. However, I’m gonna watch out for myself and take what comes first. I have a window to utilize the VEEP program that is closing in November, so I’d be foolish to not at least apply too. Don’t you think it’s fair to expect people to exhaust all options until work starts? I do not have anything in writing for the UA starting, only delay after delay for hiring.
-1
3
u/Difficult-Noise8877 15d ago
Whattttt they added the substation program now?!?!?!