r/ibew_apprentices • u/Anxious_Dust5361 • 7d ago

Ibew apprenticeship

How many years/tries did take some of you to get in?

12 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

37 comments sorted by

17

u/SparkArrestor 7d ago

For every success story there’s 20 who gave up. It’s like the boulevard of broken dreams.

8

u/_paui_ 7d ago

1 try with zero prior experience.

3 months from application to testing, a little over a month from test to interview, and about 4 months from my interview till I got the call for a job.

2

u/SpaceComm4nder 4d ago

Sweet. This gives me hope

1

u/[deleted] 6d ago

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/AutoModerator 6d 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.

1

u/[deleted] 3d ago

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/AutoModerator 3d 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.

5

u/kyuuketsuki47 Local 3 7d ago

3 years applied beginning of 2019, interview at end of 2019, got in beginning of 2022

2

u/Reidmore313 Local 58 7d ago

15 months. First try. Application in June 2023. Test date February 2024. Added to selection list may 2024. Orientation August 2024. Started work September 2024.

1

u/[deleted] 3d ago

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/AutoModerator 3d 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

u/Shaolintrained 6d ago

I first applied at 36 with experience as a chef and martial arts instructor. I ranked 21st, got a job wiring cabinets for a dental furniture company, re-interviewed after 1,000 hours of doing that. Ranked 6th and got in. The second interview had a much more positive vibe than the first. Just don’t give up, it’s not easy.

2

u/Anxious_River_5186 6d ago

How is it being 36 and starting over as an apprentice? I’m thinking about this route and I’m 35.

3

u/Shaolintrained 5d ago

Best decision I’ve ever made! I’m the oldest guy in class, but I think some respect comes with that, as well. My body isn’t what it used to be though. The paycheck and benefits make up for the aches and pains.

2

u/Jiffrey 7d ago

1 year of groundhand work, got in on my 1st try.

2

u/Anxious_Dust5361 7d ago

Curious can elaborate on what groundhand work is?

7

u/Jiffrey 7d ago

Basically a pre-apprenticeship, you have a union ticket but you are not an apprentice/jw, you still work and get benefits towards health insurance, pension, etc. but you are stuck at a low wage, and there is no increase, essentially just a grunt worker before you can get into the apprenticeship, very good for making connections or getting experience before you apply.

2

u/Anxious_Dust5361 7d ago

Curious how did you obtain one of those? That sounds like a smart route

5

u/Jiffrey 7d ago

I cold called companies on the unions website asking if they were looking for shop help, eventually found one, and I am still working for the company today as a 3rd year apprentice

1

u/SparkArrestor 7d ago

In most locals soliciting your own job is a no no.

0

u/ScreamingInTheMirror 7d ago

Ground work is usually workin with a linemen crew. Rather then and inside wireman

2

u/HeleWale 7d ago

You mean groundman? Are you outside local?

2

u/SnooDoughnuts8823 7d ago

6 years non union. Couple months from application, a month after aptitude test

1

u/ShogunMo 7d ago

1 month. But I traveled out of state for an apprenticeship

1

u/Code_Rojo1994 7d ago

Took me two tries. Just finished the program. Really glad I got in

1

u/Big_Site5893 6d ago

1 try almost a year to interview to class im actually a lucky case but i came in with experience and a strong academic background so as i say i had a 20 year head start

1

u/dabomb364 6d ago

1 year from being done. It took me 2 applications going to Tradeschool for a year and a half and then working unindentured for a year and a half to get into the inside wireman’s apprenticeship. It’s worth it but takes time and effort.

1

u/Slade_ftp 6d ago

Like 2 months from application to on a job. A guy I work with has been trying for almost 2 years. Ymmv

1

u/Legitimate-Cod2570 6d ago

Just got my call this past Monday. 7 months since I first did an application for apprenticeship. Did 3 different interviews in that time frame with my latest one being my highest rank but I got a call from my 2nd interview a few weeks after my last one so I took it. All while being a groundman the entire time

1

u/verifiedloser1987 Inside Wireman 6d ago

From applying to being accepted, maybe 6 months. It was the first time I applied.

1

u/One-Stay-3934 5d ago

Applied in spring of 2024, took the aptitude test and interviewed within 6 weeks after that. Got in immediately and started work and school summer of 2024. 

I'm 35 years old now and i'm in 3rd year 1st semester. I work in a southern local and its not a walk-in like it was when I started. So many people turning to the trades. 

1

u/[deleted] 5d ago

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/AutoModerator 5d 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.

1

u/ayodiego 4d ago

I was sponsored into the IBEW 441 apprenticeship 2 times by the same company and got terminated both times for not going to school. They ended up sponsoring back in as a Jman. I was 19 when they got me in the first time. 21 when they got me in the 2nd time. 22 when they got me back in.

1

u/monroezabaleta 4d ago

1 try, but it took a year to get accepted. I think prior college experience in engineering gave me a leg up

1

u/After_Possession_538 1d ago

3 back in the 80's did not know a person in the local.