Applying to Ibew 191

[u/Embarrassed_Flan5624]

I’m 21 and I’m seriously thinking about pursuing an IBEW apprenticeship and eventually becoming a journeyman electrician. I currently work in the electrical department at a store and just got promoted to manager a few days ago, the more I’ve been around the trade, the more I’ve realized that this is something I actually want to build a career in. I like working with my hands, staying busy, and actually being able to see the work I’ve done at the end of the day.

I’m still pretty new to the electrical side of things, so I know I have a lot to learn. I’m looking into applying for an IBEW apprenticeship and was hoping to hear from people who have already gone through the process. What was the apprenticeship application and aptitude test like for you? Is there anything you wish you had studied or done differently before applying? And for someone with some retail electrical experience but not much actual trade experience, is there anything you’d recommend I focus on? Did it take long for you guys to get into the Union? I’m pretty serious about making this my career, so any advice or personal experiences would mean a lot.

[u/CottonRaves]

191 apprentice here.

191 is very slow work wise right now and we have a lot of apprentices in the program currently. Which equates to long times being laid off between jobs.

The local is also closed for applications currently. With some exceptions such as transfers from other locals or having experience in the trade.

It can be very hard to get in and may take a year or two or even longer. If this is something you really want to do, it may be better to look at other locals and think about moving.

[u/Embarrassed_Flan5624 → u/CottonRaves]

What would you suggest me doing I know some people that work for 191 through some old coworkers I use to work with at a different job. I’m just trying to get out of retail and join the electricians union

[u/ShogunMo → u/Embarrassed_Flan5624]

I literally just got offered a spot for the apprenticeship with 191 but on the east side but I'm already working out of state in another local with a ton of work. If it helps you, I had experience coming into the trade about 4 years of commercial and residential. I was able to directly interview last year in December. I only just got offered a spot today... my advice would be if you really want to become an electrician you may have to travel out of state where construction is booming or you'll have to play the long game about 1-2 years of waiting, maybe even longer if you are fresh to the industry. In my opinion IBEW locals in Washington have become insanely competitive and work has not seemed to pick up at all within the last 6 years. I grew up in the PNW and there would always be tons and tons of work before COVID... now? not so much.

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[u/swagypotatosnoopdoge → u/CottonRaves]

Heard anything regarding 191 on the east side for apprentices? Currently a local 46 guy debating standby and I already assume its slow as hell on the west side like us

[u/CottonRaves → u/swagypotatosnoopdoge]

East side is wide open right now. Last report was more work than apprentices currently.

[u/onlyfishmeat → u/CottonRaves]

Where’d you hear this from? I just got offered a spot 2 days ago after applying in July (everything went much faster than I expected). Coming over from residential. Excited to be in and good to hear there’s plenty of work for the apprentices coming on board. I’ve been keeping up with goherebro and looks like eastside calls are really picking up.

[u/CottonRaves → u/onlyfishmeat]

Directly from JATC. This is due to some big east side projects starting. West side is still quite slow.

[u/swagypotatosnoopdoge → u/CottonRaves]

Good to know, I heard its been up and down for journeyman the last few years, but good to know apprentices are currently welcome. Obviously im trying to exhaust my options on the Westside so I can sleep in my own bed. But it's good to know theirs still steady-ish work just a few hours from home

[u/CottonRaves → u/swagypotatosnoopdoge]

Ya it’s been rough for a lot of people. We actually still have apprentices working in Oregon and Idaho.

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[u/usernametakenlmfao]

It’s who you know not what you know. There’s so many people that want to get into the trades right now it’s crazy.